Traveling to the USA without any knowledge of English is almost unthinkable nowadays – and this for several reasons.
On the one hand, almost everyone has picked up some English vocabulary at some point, because in almost every school the world language is an integral part of the curriculum. On the other hand, there is no other language in the U.S. – except for Spanish in some parts – that can be used if the local language does not work out.
For which travel variants how many English knowledge is necessary, this guide reveals together with some practical tips, how the own English knowledge can be improved in the twinkling of an eye.
The basic course in English is mandatory before a vacation in the USA
If you want to see a show on Broadway in New York, you have to know the language. Otherwise a show ticket is not a sensible investment.
Taking a basic English course before embarking on a trip to the U.S. is basically mandatory. Those who plan to go to the States in half a year should learn English now in order to
- To be able to enter the USA without any problems. Although entry requirements must be filled out in advance, there may be questions at the airport and at customs that cannot be answered without knowledge of English. An interpreter is available if necessary, but it is still unpleasant to make such a big deal out of it.
- To not only travel to the country, but to experience it as well. While there are regular opportunities at the major sights to receive informational materials in your native language or even to participate in a guided tour in German, without English language skills, the experience of interacting directly with locals will be lacking.
- Experiencing typical local customs. That could mean a show in Las Vegas or on Broadway, or a horse-riding tour from a ranch in Texas.
The advantage of Babbel online courses is not only the availability of the material, but also the flexibility to adapt it to your own abilities.
Online the provider states: "Our courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and range from level A1 to level B1, covering vocabulary and grammar topics in equal measure."
The focus is primarily on communication. The aim is to check your own pronunciation as well as possible: "The innovative speech recognition system ensures that you actually pronounce the word in a way that a native speaker can understand."
Professional skills are needed for those who want to work in the USA
Who via Work& Travelers to the USA to get to know the country and its people up close and personal need a completely different set of language skills than regular vacationers. Even though the application process for the classic Work& Even though the short term travel jobs are relatively clear, a letter of motivation in English is usually the minimum requirement to apply for a job.
For those who are already dreading this, the four most important tips for a successful cover letter are served up directly online. After the perfect salutation (1), it is important to give a reason for what is personally appealing about the job (2). Then the individual skills must be summarized to the point (3) – and in such a way that it becomes clear how highly qualified they are for the job in practice. The fourth part of the motivation letter then includes a positive ending (4).
Special destinations require special skills
51 states in the USA. But the same American dialect is not spoken in all states. If you want to know what this means in practice, you can enjoy watching English-language movies or series – as preparation for your stay in the USA, so to speak – and you will quickly realize: Pronunciation in the U.S. also varies, much like there are very different dialects from north to south in Germany as well.
Those who embark on this exciting linguistic journey will hear these dialects:
- In the U.S. drama "Good Will Hunting," Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams can be heard with the so-called "Boston Accent. Anyone traveling to Boston or spending their vacation in Maine, Rhode Island, or Eastern Massachusetts will immediately be reminded of the movie.
If you want to travel to Boston, the movie "Good Will Hunting" is a great way to do it tune into the dialect there.