Travelling to an English-speaking country? 6 simple things you need to know

Steffanie Zazulak
A woman with a backpack stood in a airport looking at one of the many boards
Reading time: 2 minutes

Regardless of where you’re travelling, it‘s definitely worth learning some basic English, and you won’t be alone: approximately 1.5 billion people are learning English (20% of the world). Of course, if you’re visiting an English-speaking country like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, it’s especially useful to brush up on your English.

Here are six simple things you need to know when travelling to English-speaking countries:

Travel tips for English speaking countries
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Be polite

It sounds obvious, but remembering to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will help in most travel situations. British people are famously fond of their manners, so if you’re visiting the UK, it’s particularly important to make sure you “queue” behind everyone else.

Learn the currency

There are many ways to ask the price of something, but your wallet won’t be grateful if you don’t understand the reply. Take time to understand the slang words for money in the countries you’re visiting. For example, a $1 coin in Canada is referred to as a ‘loonie’, and in the U.S., a five-cent coin is almost always called a ‘nickel’.

Don’t rely on your smartphone for directions

Even if you have a smartphone, it’s easy to get lost in a foreign place. Local people will often know the quickest and cheapest routes to places and may even have some good sightseeing suggestions that you won’t find in a guidebook. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, don’t be embarrassed to ask them to speak slowly or repeat themselves.

Introduce yourself

If you like meeting new people while traveling, it’s important to know how to speak to them. You may have been taught that ‘How do you do?’ is a polite way to introduce yourself. In reality, most English speakers don’t use this phrase very often as it’s seen as old-fashioned and overly formal. It’s much better to say ‘pleased to meet you’ or ‘good to meet you’ when you’re meeting someone for the first time.

Even if you’re traveling to a non-English speaking country, having some knowledge of English is always useful. International airports, for example, almost always display their signage in English alongside the local language(s).

Don’t be afraid to ask about customs or etiquette

If you’re unsure about the proper etiquette in a given situation, don’t hesitate to ask. Locals will appreciate your effort and are usually happy to explain what’s appropriate. This can help you avoid any unintentional faux pas and make your interactions more pleasant and respectful. Even if its for simple things like, 'Where do I order at the bar?' or 'Where should I leave my wet umbrella?' are perfectly fine to ask.  

Observe and adapt

When in a new environment, observing what others around you are doing can provide valuable clues about local etiquette and expected behavior. Whether it’s how people order food, navigate public transportation, or interact in social settings, taking cues from locals can help you blend in and avoid misunderstandings.

For example, if you see everyone standing on a certain side of public transport, there's probably a good reason for that which you can follow and blend in. 

Equip yourself for a rewarding travel experience

By equipping yourself with these simple yet effective tips, you’ll not only navigate your travels more smoothly but also enrich your overall experience. Remember, the effort you put into learning and practicing English will be met with appreciation and open doors to new opportunities and friendships. Safe travels.

Learn a new language and enhance your travels

Read our posts 'Essential English phrases to blend in like a local on your holiday' and 'Language learning tips for international students'

 

More blogs from Pearson

  • A woman at a computer working
    Introducing the PTE Teacher Hub
    By Magda Woodham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Your new home for PTE Teaching Support

    Teaching PTE requires staying up to date, being confident in your scoring and being equipped with resources that accurately reflect the test – so you can help your students prepare for success and ease some of their test-day worries. To make that easier, we’re pleased to introduce you to the new PTE Teacher Hub, your dedicated space designed specifically for teachers preparing learners for PTE Academic and PTE Core.

    Everything you need to teach PTE, in one trusted place

    The PTE Teacher Hub is an authenticated, teacher‑first platform that brings together everything you need to teach PTE effectively. Instead of searching across multiple channels, you now have a single, reliable source for official updates, classroom‑ready resources and professional development – direct from Pearson.

    Official updates and ready‑to‑use resources, all in one hub

    At launch, the Hub focuses on the two core areas that teachers told us matter most. PTE News and Updates provides a trusted channel for timely information on Pearson news, PTE updates, information on upcoming webinars and events, assessment insights and community highlights, helping you stay confident that the guidance you give learners is accurate and up to date.

    PTE Resources offers an exclusive library of ready‑to‑use, PTE‑aligned lesson plans and materials, saving preparation time and supporting both in‑class and online teaching.

    Built to support teachers at every stage of their PTE journey

    Beyond day‑to‑day teaching support, the PTE Teacher Hub is designed to support your ongoing professional growth. Teachers can access guidance and insights at any time, deepen their understanding of the PTE test portfolio and strengthen their teaching practice with official Pearson materials.

    Whether you’re new to teaching PTE or an experienced educator, the PTE Teacher Hub is your central destination for clarity, confidence and connection.

    Log in, bookmark the page, and make it your go‑to home for PTE teaching.

  • A woman and man working together on laptop in library
    AI in Language Education: What educators should use (and what to avoid)
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    AI is changing language classrooms fast, but not every tool adds value. The best teachers use AI as a partner, supporting planning, feedback and differentiation, while keeping key moments of teaching human.

    Here’s what works, what to avoid, and how to use AI responsibly in ESL classrooms.

    How AI is transforming language teaching

    AI is transforming how teachers work, but it doesn't replace them.

    At its best, AI enhances three core areas:

    • Planning efficiency: Generate lesson outlines, activities and scaffolding in minutes
    • Differentiation at scale: Adapt materials for mixed-level classrooms instantly
    • Feedback loops: Provide faster, more frequent feedback on writing and practice tasks

    But the key shift is pedagogical. AI aligns naturally with:

    • Learner-centered methods: Students engage more actively with adaptive content
    • Teaching like a coach: Teachers guide, refine and personalize rather than deliver everything directly
    • Modern teaching methodology: Blended, flexible and responsive instruction

    When used effectively, AI allows teachers to concentrate on the most important aspects of language learning: interaction, communication and human connection.

  • A woman smiling working on a laptop
    Studying in the USA? A fast at-home English test is now an option
    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    If you’re a student planning to study in the USA, life probably feels a bit like having too many tabs open at once. University sites. Visa info. Messages from friends already abroad. And a growing list of things that all feel important.

    Somewhere in the middle of that is your English test.

    A test people trust for good reason

    For years, students have chosen PTE because it’s built to be trusted, backed by real expertise, research and quality. That’s why it’s become a familiar name for students planning to study abroad, and why institutions trust it too. That foundation hasn’t changed. What has changed is how students live, learn, and prepare today.

    Same roots, for different routes

    PTE Express originates from the same principles. Same values. Same attention. It’s simply tailored for a different kind of test taker at a specific point in their journey. If you’re aiming to study in the USA and need a quick, at-home English test, PTE Express is made to fit into your life rather than forcing you to reshape everything around a test date. And let’s address test anxiety because it’s a real concern.

    Many students worry about English tests. Not because they don’t know English, but because test situations can make things feel harder than they should be. Speaking to an examiner face‑to‑face can feel intimidating. Worrying about being misunderstood because of your accent is a real concern. Travelling to a test centre adds pressure before you even start. Sitting in an unfamiliar room can make nerves worse.

    That’s not a lack of ability. That’s just being human. While PTE Academic already addresses lots of these worries, we have gone a step further with PTE Express.

    Why at‑home testing can feel different

    One of the quiet benefits of an at‑home test is how much calmer it can feel. You’re in a familiar space. You control your environment. There’s no examiner in front of you, just you and the screen. For many students, that makes it easier to focus and show their real English, without the extra stress that comes from unfamiliar settings or face‑to‑face pressure. PTE Express was designed with this in mind: calm, considered, and supportive, while still being secure and trusted by institutions.

    When the USA is the plan

    If you already know the USA is your destination, things can start to feel more time‑sensitive. Deadlines get closer. Decisions feel heavier. You’re no longer exploring, you’re preparing your next move. PTE Express fits naturally here. It’s a fast, at‑home option for US study, built on the foundations of Pearson that students already trust, and delivered in a way that works for when life is busy and timelines are tight.

    A choice that actually reduces pressure

    The good news is, you don’t have to overthink this. If you want to keep your options open across different countries, there’s a trusted path in PTE Academic that supports that. If you’re focused on studying in the USA and want something fast, familiar and at home, there’s now an option designed for exactly that. No trade‑offs. No feeling like you’re cutting corners. Just choices that match different moments.

    Focus on what really matters

    Studying in the USA is a big step. It’s about independence, growth and starting something new. Your English test should feel like something that supports you quietly in the background, not something that adds more stress to an already intense moment. With PTE Express now live in most countries, including India, students heading to the USA have a calm, trusted at‑home option, built on foundations that have been relied on for years. And sometimes, feeling calm and confident is exactly what helps you do your best.