There’s a big difference between levelling up in a language learning app and being able to speak and understand your target language when you arrive in a new country. Rather than wondering which app or approach is “best”, consider studying your language from multiple directions.

Learning a new language is hard. After eight years of French, I was an abysmal failure at the language until I spent a month in the country using it regularly. There’s something about seeing words and phrases used in context that makes them a lot easier to understand than just reading them in a textbook. Lingvo is an app that lets you use Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Video to help you pick up a language a little faster.

Learning a language for a trip is different from learning it on a large scale; Duolingo is way too comprehensive, as is anything that tries to build up from fundamentals of grammar. You need a few phrases, like “please” and “thank you,” “What does this mean?” and “Where is the bathroom?”

But most of the time, I needed just one word to feel less like an ugly tourist. I needed to say I’m sorry. Which is more complicated than it sounds.

You’ve probably already downloaded Duolingo before your next big international trip, but there are two important words to know before going to any foreign-speaking land.

Whether you want to chat with the locals on your next holiday or stave off dementia later in life, being bilingual is unquestionably handy. If you're just getting started on learning a new language, knowing where to begin can be a daunting prospect.

Sure, you can just go immerse yourself by living in another country for a while, or use services such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone. You can also set up your favourite devices, websites and services to help you get up to speed with a new language. Here's how.

Look, I'd rather you not say "bless you." But it seems most of you aren't ready to take that leap, so here's Expedia's guide to politely responding to a sneeze in just about every country in the world. Mexico's is especially fun.

Learning a foreign language is hard.

Just because you took two years of French in high school doesn't mean you still know how to ask where the bathroom is. In fact, if you can't remember a single word of the language, it might be a good time to get your brain in gear and add some new, foreign words and phrases to your vocabulary. To get serious about learning a new language in 2018, you'll need to do a bit of prep work, especially if you've never attempted to learn how to say "You should really invest in two-ply toilet paper." We've done the legwork, and gathered the best tips to help you get started in your new language learning endeavour.

There are more words out there to describe how you feel besides sad, mad and glad -- in fact, there's a whole world of words that can describe your emotions in incredibly specific ways.

You've probably got some downtime during the holidays, whether you're taking a few days off from work (you should), or enjoying your winter break after studying for exams (you didn't). With 2018 on the way, you can start the new year on the right foot by prepping your resolution plans beforehand. Of course, resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, so the real question is this: how are you getting a head start on yours?

So, you want to learn to speak and write a new language, huh? Not just "hello" and "thank you," but really learn it well enough that you could live in the country of origin? Hope you're ready to commit. If you're a Native English Speaker, these are the languages that will take the most and least time to become proficient in.