The 5 Best Road Trips In The USA For Language Learners
The 5 Best Road Trips In The USA For Language Learners
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Learn A Language On A Road Trip Across The United States
Ready to learn a new language? Learning a new language can be tough, but there are few things more rewarding than being able to communicate in another tongue. It's no secret that the best way to learn a new language is by traveling to a country where it's spoken.
But what if you can't afford to go abroad, or don't have the time? There's no better way to learn a new language than by hitting the open road and exploring some of the best destinations in the United States.
Did you know that there are 350 languages spoken in the United States? With such a diverse linguistic landscape, it's no wonder that the US is a great place to learn a new language.
RELATED: 25 Most Spoken Languages In America (Best Languages To Learn To Get Ahead).
Road trips are the perfect way to learn a new language. By exploring some of the best destinations in the United States, you'll not only have plenty of opportunities for practicing your chosen language, but each road trip is packed with activities and attractions that will help you learn more about your chosen language.
You'll also get to experience American culture and history first-hand. If you're looking for an amazing road trip experience in the USA, look no further!
Whether you're looking to learn Spanish, Navajo, Ojibwe, French, Chinese, Cantonese or German, there's a road trip for you that will help you learn more about your chosen language.
With destinations ranging from Spanish-speaking New Mexico to the Ojibwe-speaking shores of Lake Superior, there's something for everyone here. These five road trips are perfect for language learners of all levels, and they're sure to provide plenty of opportunities for practicing your new skills.
With plenty of scenic views, interesting attractions and opportunities to practice your language skills, you're sure to have a great time on any of these trips. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure!
Check out our list of 5 road trips in the USA that are perfect for language learners! You'll be able to explore some of the best destinations in the country while also learning a new language.
Top US Road Trips To Practice Languages
1. Spanish Language In The United States
Photo Credit: Zack Frank/Shutterstock
Spanish is the most popular language spoken in the United States, with over 40 million Spanish speakers. That's more than Spain's entire population!
It's no wonder, given the country's proximity to Mexico. Until the end of the 1800s, many states in the southwest were controlled by Mexico.
RELATED: Why Learn Spanish? The 10 Surprising Reasons To Learn Spanish.
If you want to learn Spanish without leaving the United States, head to Florida, Arizona, Texas, or California's southern regions.
Road trip ideas for Spanish language learners
I recommend making the 500-mile journey down California's sunny Pacific coast to see the ocean vistas, gorgeous scenery, and Spanish influences.
Begin in San Francisco and make your way south along the coast through Santa Barbara and Los Angeles before ending in San Diego, all of which have Spanish names. Take in Spanish colonial architecture, eat tacos and enchiladas, and visit Latino communities to hear Spanish spoken on the streets while you travel.
California has a string of 21 Spanish missions along its coast that date from the mid-1700s. These missions retain a strong Spanish influence and function as both contemporary cultural destinations as well as reminders and preservers of an often violent past. The missions acted as a crucial influence in the spread of Spanish architecture throughout the western United States.
For more information and history on the missions, go to the California Missions website.
During your stay in Los Angeles, pay a visit to Olvera Street (Calle Olvera), which is the city's oldest street and where the original Spanish settlement was established, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles. Today, the area is recognized for its Mexican-style outdoor marketplace and puestos (street food stalls), as well as a variety of museums and cultural activities.
2. French Language In The United States
Photo Credit: f11photo/Shutterstock
In the United States, there are more than a million people who speak French at home, including Patois and Cajun dialects. Louisiana and Maine have the biggest Francophone populations.
Louisiana was acquired by France in the 17th century, bringing Europeans and slaves from French-speaking African countries. Their influence can still be heard in the local dialect, known as Louisiana Creole and Cajun. Although the language is distinct from Parisian French, you should be able to comprehend what's being said.
In Maine, there are several French-speaking communities in the north. Not only that, the state shares a border with Quebec, Canada (French-speaking), as well as descendants of French-speaking Acadians who settled here.
Road trip ideas for French language learners
Spend a few days in New Orleans exploring the French-speaking south with a two-hour drive to Lafayette, the capital of Cajun country.
Take in the architecture of New Orleans' French Quarter, learn about the Francophone history of the region at the Arcadian Museum in Erath, and try Cajun cuisine in Lafayette on your journey throughout Louisiana.
3. Indigenous Languages Of North America
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Navajo and Ojibwe
While many languages were brought in from abroad, Native Americans' indigenous languages, such as Navajo and Ojibwe, cannot be overlooked.
Navajo is the most widely spoken indigenous language in the United States, with about 170,000 speakers, who reside mostly in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.
RELATED: How To Learn Navajo: The Best Navajo Language Learning Course Online.
Ojibwe is spoken by approximately 50,000 people in the United States, particularly in communities along the Canadian border from Michigan to North Dakota and Montana.
Although the number of indigenous language speakers has been decreasing, as most Native Americans only speak English, several efforts are underway to preserve these languages from disappearing.
Road trip ideas for Navajo and Ojibwe language learners
Take a trip to the Navajo Nation, which encompasses Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. On this route, you can drive from the Navajo Nation Museum to Antelope Canyon in about eight hours.
Stop at the Hubbell Trading Post on your journey to collect real Navajo crafts, visit the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley Tribal Park, and explore this colorful landscape.
Learn Navajo using Cudoo! Whether you’re a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading, writing, and speaking.
4. German Language In The United States
Photo Credit: George Sheldon/Shutterstock
English speakers don't have to travel to Europe to hear real spoken German. Speak with the Pennsylvania Dutch people in Pennsylvania's northeast.
Despite the name, these communities don't actually speak Dutch; rather, they speak a German dialect—it's assumed the Dutch title stuck due to a mistranslation of Deutsch.
The Pennsylvania Dutch are descended from German immigrants who arrived in the state during the 1800s and now mostly reside among Amish and Mennonite groups.
Road trip ideas for German language learners
In Pennsylvania, travel through the Dutch countryside. Begin in Lancaster and visit the Landis Valley Museum before heading east towards Philadelphia.
You'll pass through open fields, covered bridges and road-side farmers' stands, and you might even notice a few Amish carts along the way. For a more complete understanding of the culture and language, contact local Pennsylvania Dutch communities for guided tours.
5. Chinese Languages In The United States
Photo Credit: Ken Durden/Shutterstock
Mandarin and Cantonese
Mandarin, Cantonese, and other Chinese languages are spoken by almost 3 million people in the United States, making them the third most spoken language after English and Spanish.
The first group of Chinese immigrants to America came from Canton (Guangdong) province during the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-nineteenth century.
In 2018, China surpassed Mexico as the main country of origin for immigrants to the United States, with most speaking Mandarin.
Although most Chinese people reside in California and New York, there are significant Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking communities in Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Road trip ideas for Mandarin and Cantonese language learners
You won't have to go far to hear Chinese spoken natively. Most major cities in the United States will have a Chinatown. Why not travel from China's largest Chinese-speaking community to the country's second-largest: San Francisco, which is home to America's first Chinatown (popularly known as "New York"), and New York City's Chinatown.
You can also explore the Chinatowns in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia during your trip.
Learn A Language On The Road With Pimsleur
If you're looking for a great way to learn a new language while on the go, Pimsleur is definitely the program for you. With Pimsleur, you can learn a language while on the road. And if you're looking for an efficient and affordable way to learn a foreign language on your road trip, Pimsleur is the perfect option.
With Pimsleur, you can learn a language while you're driving, hiking, biking or even just taking a break at the rest stop. This innovative language learning program is designed to help you learn a new language in just 10 days.
With 30-minute audio lessons that can be accessed online or downloaded to your mobile device, Pimsleur is perfect for busy language learners who want to get ahead.
RELATED: Pimsleur Review: How To Learn Any Language With This Super Easy Method.
Pimsleur's unique approach to language learning is based on the latest research in linguistics and memory science, and has been proven to be an effective way to learn a foreign language.
With Pimsleur, you'll be able to quickly and easily learn a language without memorization, tedious grammar drills, or having to put in long hours of study.
And best of all, you can use Pimsleur anywhere, anytime. So if you're looking for a convenient and successful approach to master a language, Pimsleur is the perfect solution for you.
With so many great options for road trips in the USA, it's easy to see why this is such a great country for language learners. So hit the open road and start learning a new language today with Pimsleur!
Conclusion
Are you ready to hit the open road and learn a new language? Learning a foreign language can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be done in a classroom or with expensive software.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience learning any other language, consider hitting the open road and practicing your conversation skills while taking in some of America’s natural beauty.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should give you a few ideas for planning your own road trip to practice a new language. Discover destinations rich in culture and history that will help you not only learn more about your chosen language, but also about American culture.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring. Start planning your next road trip today. Bon voyage!
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Question:
So, here’s the question: Do you have any favorite road trip destinations for language learners? Have you ever taken a road trip to learn a new language? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Hey, I’m Mara.
I am the founder and blogger of Sololingual helping anyone at any age, from any place, who wants to learn a new language. You can learn how to reach fluency in your chosen language fast, fun and easily studying a short amount each day and spending very little money using different language learning techniques, programs and resources at your disposal. Fluency isn't difficult to achieve. In fact, it’s easy when you find a solid method that walks you through every step of the way, and believing in yourself so that you can achieve your goal at becoming fluent in any language.
