Why English Matters for Travelers Worldwide

Learning English for traveling is the smartest move you can make before boarding a plane, and this course walks you through exactly what to say before, during, and after your trip. It is built for anyone who dreams of visiting an English-speaking country or is about to travel soon and wants to speak with confidence.

Your teacher is Carolina Boquin, a professional growth course director and teacher at Platzi who has traveled to over 20 countries, speaks three languages fluently, and is learning a fourth [01:20]. That mix of travel and languages shapes the whole approach: practical, warm, and focused on real situations you will actually face.

What will you learn in this travel English course?

The course is divided into four modules that follow the natural flow of a trip [00:40]. Each one targets a moment where language usually gets in the way.

• What to do before your trip, so you arrive prepared.
• What to say at the airport and during the flight, whether you want to socialize or order something to eat or drink.
• What to do when you arrive at your destination.
• How to get the most out of your trip without the frightening language barrier.

And here is a nice extra: besides the audio classes, you get three virtual reality bonus classes [01:40]. You will meet James and Julia as they travel to New York City, and their dialogues teach you even more vocabulary.

What do I need to watch the VR classes? A simple virtual reality viewer like a Google Cardboard Viewer and the YouTube app installed on your phone. That is it.

Every class also includes the transcript in the resources section, so you can read along whenever you need it.

Why should you learn English for traveling?

The short answer: it is the most spoken language in the world. According to Ethnologue, over 1,200 million people speak English [02:20]. That reach is what makes it so useful when you are far from home.

Even in countries where English is not the native language, like Germany, it is easy to find people who speak it [02:40]. So English works as a bridge almost anywhere you go.

Why is English useful even in non-English-speaking countries? Because it functions as a shared second language. Millions of people worldwide use it, so you can communicate in places like Germany even when it is not the local language.

When you can communicate effectively, everything opens up. You understand the culture better, meet new people, and talk with them with confidence. It also makes you feel more independent, because you can organize your trip yourself instead of feeling restricted by a tour.

How does English improve your overall travel experience?

Your whole experience gets better when you speak the language. If you travel to an English-speaking country, most of the media content will be in English too, from signs to newspapers to movies.

Carolina shares a story about a girl from Brazil she met in the US [03:40]. In each country she visited, this traveler liked to:

• Read the local newspaper.
• Go to the supermarket.
• Go to the movies.
• Have local food and drinks.

That kind of routine turns a trip into a real cultural experience, not just sightseeing. And it is far easier to pull off when you can read a menu, ask a question, or chat with a local.

Is English really the most spoken language? Yes. According to Ethnologue, more than 1,200 million people around the world speak English, which is why it makes communication during travel so much easier.

What is the next step after this class?

The next step is a very exciting one: start planning your trip. That planning stage is where the first module comes in, giving you the vocabulary and phrases you need before you even leave home.

Do you have a usual plan when you travel to a new country? Share it in the comments section and read what other students wrote. You might find a plan you love, or discover someone who travels just like you.