Should I learn how to read the script?

If you are going to a country with a different alphabet (like Japan, Russia, or Greece), learn the basic characters. It helps with signage and maps, even if you don't understand the words.

What if they start speaking back at full speed?

Smile, stay calm, and say: 'Slowly, please' (in the local language) or show them your phone screen with the translation app open. Don't panic; most people appreciate the effort.

Mastering essential survival phrases before a trip

Focus on the 20 most functional phrases rather than grammar or vocabulary lists. Practice these phrases out loud using spaced-repetition flashcards until you can say them reflexively without translating in your head.

Select your 'Golden 20'. Don't aim for fluency. Focus on: 'Hello,' 'Goodbye,' 'Please,' 'Thank you,' 'Yes,' 'No,' 'Excuse me/Sorry,' 'Where is the bathroom?', 'How much?', 'I would like...', 'I don't speak [language],' 'Do you speak English?', 'Help,' 'Water,' 'Check/Bill,' 'Left,' 'Right,' 'Stop,' 'Train station,' and 'Airport.'
Use Anki for spaced repetition. Download the Anki app. Create a deck with the phrase on the front and the pronunciation/translation on the back. Review these daily for 15 minutes starting one month before your departure.
Record yourself. Find a native speaker on Forvo.com to hear the correct pronunciation. Record yourself saying the phrase, listen to it, and compare it to the native speaker. Repeat until your cadence matches theirs.
Practice in 'low-stakes' scenarios. Once you arrive, use these phrases even if the local person speaks English. Use them at a newsstand or a quiet cafe where the transaction is simple, rather than starting with a complex question at a train station.

Should I learn how to read the script?: If you are going to a country with a different alphabet (like Japan, Russia, or Greece), learn the basic characters. It helps with signage and maps, even if you don't understand the words.
What if they start speaking back at full speed?: Smile, stay calm, and say: 'Slowly, please' (in the local language) or show them your phone screen with the translation app open. Don't panic; most people appreciate the effort.