If you are applying for a job at an office or business that focuses on serving the cruise ship crowd, you will most likely be required to engage in some form of customer service related to the industry. In recent times, many employers have started to realize the benefits of bilingualism and have begun to realize the need to train their employees to converse in both English and Spanish.
What is spanglish?
It is a combination of Spanish and English. In simpler terms, it is Spanish with an Oxford accent. Many people confuse spanglish with “Hispanic” or “Latino” English, but the two are quite different. It is simply the way people speak across the Spanish borderlands. It is a mix of Spanish and English, but if you are hearing a heavy accent, it is usually not spanish. It can be tricky to learn, but there are ways you can acquire some basic skills to get by in this new world of work.
Find a Partner
One of the best ways to navigate this tricky world is to find a partner – someone who can help you practice, practice, and then some more practice until you get it right. You can practice speaking with a professional, and if you get stuck on a word, they can provide additional support. Additionally, you can ask for and receive feedback on how you are doing. This may not seem obvious yet, but finding the right partner to help you with this particular skill can be extremely beneficial. Remember, practicing with someone else also helps you determine when you are making mistakes and allows you to improve your skills.
Get Some Notes
Whether you have just begun learning or are already feeling confident about your skills, taking some time to jot down some notes will prove extremely helpful. The best way to learn is by actively practicing, and while you are at it, making some notes will help you figure out what you are doing wrong and how you can do it better. When you start practicing, take a little bit at a time and don’t overwhelm yourself. Learning a language is not easy, and trying to do too much at once can cause you to make mistakes and confuse yourself. Take your time and make sure it is a nice, even flow.
Learn The Alphabet
If you are looking to improve your spanish, the best way to approach it is by learning the alphabet. Learning how to spell Spanish words will not only allow you to converse with more people, but it will also provide you with additional tools to navigate daily life. Once you learn the basics, taking a quick trip to spanish class or college would be beneficial to continue improving your skills.
Learn A Few Common Phrases
What would traveling to another country be without learning the language? The same way you would struggle to find a taxi if you don’t know how to ask for one, you will have a hard time communicating with the people you are traveling to if you don’t know a few phrases. Fortunately, there are a few common phrases that you can learn that will help you have an easier time conversing with your cruise ship coworkers. The most common phrases you will need are:
- Hello
- Please
- Thank you
- How much does this cost?
- Is this the best way to get there?
- How long will it take?
- Where can I eat around here?
- Do you have Wi-Fi?
- Where is the closest cash machine?
Get An English Speaker
If you are looking to improve your english, the best way to approach it is by finding a speaker of the language. Luckily, there are services like Skype and Teams that allow you to connect with a native speaker – someone who can help you determine when you are making mistakes and provide additional support. Just remember, this type of training is not meant to replace a real live tutor, but it can help you figure out what you are doing wrong and how you can do it better. Additionally, you can ask for and receive feedback on how you are doing in real life situations. It is often easier to determine what works and what does not when you are working with a tutor vs a classroom setting.
Travel
Speaking of travel, how would you feel if you spent all day trying to figure out how to use the escalator at the airport, only to find out you had missed your flight because of a delayed airplane? Do you even bother to check the status of the flight before you board the plane? These are some of the things you need to consider when you are traveling to another country – things that you might not have thought about when you were in your own country. Before you go anywhere, it is important to do some research and make sure that your travel arrangements are suitable for the situation. One of the most important things you can do is check the weather so that you don’t get shocked by intense heat or cold. It would be best to contact the local tourism office or the embassy for the country you are traveling to. In some situations, the weather can be unpredictable and changeable, so it is best to be prepared for anything. Learning how to use a different system or how to navigate another country’s streets can also be beneficial, especially if you are in an area where you feel uncomfortable traveling without local help. Traveling to another country is a lot easier when you know the language, and it helps make the experience worthwhile. Plus, it is always better to have more than one way of communicating if you lose touch with someone you are speaking with. Learning how to say Hello, goodbye, how are you, and thank you in spanish can prove useful in day-to-day life. It might seem trivial, but trying to remember what the words are when you need them can help make the difference between having a good time and a memorable one. Don’t forget about the little things like how to ask for water, how to order food, and how to use the restroom. Learning how to use the appliances in the house you are staying at can also prove useful. What is a hand buzzer? How about a microwave? You will have a hard time figuring it out if you don’t know the names for common household items. Knowing how to ask questions and order food might even come in handy if you don’t know how to cook or what meals would be appropriate for your diet. These are all things you need to think about before you go on a cruise ship or head off to another country. Don’t forget, practice makes perfect, and by taking the time to learn, you will be able to enjoy your experience much more fully.