How I Make Time for Language Learning While Traveling

Traveling is exciting, fast-paced, and full of new experiences—but let’s be honest, it can also make sticking to a language learning routine feel impossible. Between exploring new cities, trying local food, and adjusting to different time zones, the last thing I want to do is sit down with a textbook.

But here’s the thing: learning the local language makes travel so much better. It turns awkward hand gestures into real conversations, helps with navigation, and creates more meaningful interactions with locals.

While in Thailand, my focus has shifted from Korean and Spanish to Thai and Korean because immersing myself in Thai will enhance my experience here, and keeping up with Korean will help me when I return. Instead of forcing myself into rigid study sessions, I’ve found a way to make language learning while traveling feel natural, fun, and effective.

If you’re struggling to balance travel and language learning, here’s how I make it work.

My tuktuk driver who insisted that I know more Thai than the average traveller.

Why I’m Prioritizing Thai & Korean in Thailand

One of the biggest travel learning hacks is adjusting your focus based on your environment. While I still want to improve my Korean, it doesn’t make sense for it to be my main priority while I’m surrounded by Thai speakers every day.

Instead of trying to juggle too many languages at once, I’ve made Thai my main focus while traveling through Thailand. Here’s how I practice:

✅ Listening to Locals & Thai Media – I pay attention to how people speak in cafes, markets, and on the streets. I also watch Thai TV shows, listen to Thai music, and observe real-life pronunciation.

✅ Speaking with Market Vendors & Taxi Drivers – These are some of the best moments to practice! Ordering food, negotiating prices, or chatting with taxi drivers forces me to use what I know.

✅ Intentional Study Sessions 2- 3x a Week – While most of my Thai learning happens organically, I still set aside time to study vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation so I have a solid foundation.

By immersing myself in Thai while traveling, I’m setting myself up for smoother future trips—whether it’s reading street signs, understanding menus, or holding better conversations.

A beautiful Day

Listening to a Thai playlist at Lumpini Park in Bangkok.

Time Management Tips for Studying While Traveling

The biggest struggle with language learning while traveling isn’t a lack of resources—it’s a lack of time and motivation. Who wants to study when there’s an entire country to explore?

To make language learning fit into my travel schedule, I stick to these four rules:

1. Keep It Simple

You don’t need to study for hours or follow a complicated study plan while traveling. Simple is best.

• Learn essential phrases for ordering food, asking for directions, or introducing yourself.

• Use a phrasebook or language app (like Google Translate or Anki) for quick reviews.

• Listen to native speakers instead of forcing structured lessons.

📌 Travel Hack: Instead of setting aside “study time,” I integrate learning into my daily activities—like listening to Thai podcasts while walking or repeating useful phrases before heading out.

2. Study for Shorter Periods of Time

Long study sessions? Not happening. Instead, I break up my learning into small, manageable sessions throughout the week.

• 10-15 minutes of reviewing vocabulary before bed.

• Quick listening practice while riding in a taxi or waiting for food.

• Spontaneous speaking practice whenever the opportunity arises.

Shorter study sessions keep me engaged without making learning feel like a chore.

3. Practice What You Learn Immediately

One of the best travel learning hacks is using new words right away—it helps reinforce them faster than just memorizing them from a list.

If I learn a new Thai phrase, I make sure to:

• Use it the same day when ordering food or talking to vendors.

• Repeat it out loud to get comfortable with pronunciation.

• Look for real-life examples of that phrase in conversations around me.

Immediate practice makes learning stick faster, and you’ll feel more confident using the language in real situations.

I’m constantly repeating words back to people regardless of wether or not I know what it means.

4. Give Yourself Grace

Let’s be real—traveling is about the experience first. If you’re constantly stressed about keeping up with language studies, you’re missing out on the beauty of the journey.

• If I skip a study session, I don’t stress about it.

• If I’m exhausted, I take a break.

• If all I do is listen instead of actively studying, that’s still progress.

The goal is progress, not perfection. Every word you learn, every interaction you have, and every time you recognize a phrase is a win—even if you’re not studying as much as you would at home.

How Learning While Traveling Helps Future Trips

Even when I leave Thailand, the effort I put into learning Thai and Korean while traveling will pay off in future adventures.

✔️ Navigating local transportation will be easier.
✔️ Ordering food & shopping won’t feel stressful.
✔️ Interacting with locals will be more natural and fun.
✔️ I’ll feel more confident visiting again—no more awkward language barriers!

Investing just a little bit of time now means that my future travels will be way smoother—and honestly, way more enjoyable.

Studying While Traveling Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Making time for language learning while traveling doesn’t mean spending hours studying in a hotel room. It means:

✨ Keeping it simple with small, manageable lessons.
✨ Studying in short bursts instead of long sessions.
✨ Practicing in real life so learning sticks.
✨ Being flexible and prioritizing the travel experience.

Using these time management tips and travel learning hacks, I’ve found a way to enjoy travel while improving my language skills.

So, if you’re struggling to keep up with learning while on the road — start small, use what you learn immediately, and give yourself grace. Your future travels will thank you!

🌍✈️ Do you try to learn languages while traveling? What’s your biggest challenge? Drop a comment below!