The answer for some of us is that it means learning to understand and speak another language. Technically it’s correct, but is the answer so easy?
For me, it’s much more. Each language has its variations and dialects. In Australia or USA, they use other expressions compared to British English. Not to be forgotten are the many regional dialects within a country. Anyone who learns a foreign language in a traditional school is usually unprepared for this challenge. Luckily, the internet today offers a variety of opportunities to delve into this aspect.
But there is another factor that is important to me. What good is it if you understand the language but don’t know the cultural and historical background? To understand a language, you should also be interested in its cultural and historical background. Suddenly new horizons open up: certain expressions that seem strange to us all of a sudden make sense, and it is easier to get through everyday life during a stay.
