Language and Culture For Travel
Learn Before You Leave!

The things I learned from my instructor simply couldn’t be learned through an app. For example, she explained that in Italian, we pronounce every letter. All of a sudden, all of these things started to fall into place when I began thinking about the language that way.

Speak!'s Bon Voyage course was trés magnifique! If you're looking for a pre-travel orientation, this course hits all the right notes: destinations, rituals, customs, etymology, history, language, and an all-important introduction to the French café and restaurant. Expertly taught and thoughtfully conceived, Bon Voyage will be a key component in your travel toolkit. A++ recommendation.

Group classes have been so much fun ! Learning Argentinian Spanish and all about the culture has definitely enhanced my experience in Buenos Aires. I highly recommend Speak! to anyone wanting learn Spanish for general communication and/or travel.

My wife and I travel to Europe often and speak French, Spanish, and German—but we had no background in Italian. Rather than hacking our way through with a mix of English and other languages, we decided to try the Buon Viaggio Italian for Travelers course from Speak!

It was the perfect way to quickly get up to speed on essential verbs, phrases, and basic conversations before our summer trip to Italy. If you're looking to go from zero to functional Italian in just a few weeks, this course is a much better option than an app like Duolingo. With Speak!, you get structured content, a live instructor, real interaction with other students—and more.

I’m heading to Italy for a month and took a few private lessons with Christina through the Buon Viaggio course, part of the Travel Series at Speak!—and it was amazing. I expected to learn some travel phrases, but ended up getting a full crash course in Italian language and culture. Christina customized everything to my trip, from cities and transportation to food and local tips.

She even showed me pictures of train stations and real menus, which was super helpful. The Speak! site is full of videos, recordings, and great practice tools. I highly recommend it—it’s not just a class, it’s a full travel prep experience!

I was so glad that I had taken Speak!'s Buon Viaggio Italian course, as much for learning about the cultural norms as for language practice. I was able to truly experience Italy and make the most of our time there. Being prepared in terms of understanding the culture allowed me to focus on painting some of the incredible views of Toscana. Grazie mille!

I really wanted to arrive in Italy with a functional grasp of the language. It's such a courtesy you offer to a host country to show that you've at least tried to learn the language. And it really helps you get by and enjoy yourself more deeply. I have loved the online Buon Viaggio Italian course. It was so fun, so encouraging and provided so much context. It really felt like a complete cultural experience. This course exceeded my expectations and I now feel confident about my upcoming walking trip in Italy. I plan to take the French equivalent next. Grazie mille, Speak! 

We’re so glad we chose Speak! to prepare for a family wedding in Tuscany.

The course gave us practical Italian, cultural tips, and the confidence to connect with locals and guests. Our teacher was warm, funny, and flexible with our busy schedules, tailoring lessons to our needs and itinerary. Lessons felt more like fun date nights than homework—and by the time we arrived in Italy, we felt ready, welcomed, and proud of our efforts. Preparing with Speak! was almost as fun as the trip itself!

oa Viagem was really the perfect level for someone starting to dip their toes into the language. Helena is such a warm and wonderful teacher! She's really helped. me understand the nuances of the Portuguese language and culture. Knowing some of the language when you're traveling is so wonderful because you can experience the country and culture in a way that's so much richer.

As a working professional in Charlottesville, I’m always seeking new ways to learn and connect. Through UVA Facilities Management, I discovered the Boa Viagem program at Speak! and jumped at the chance to try Portuguese. I've loved languages since spending a summer in Spain, and this beginner-friendly course was the perfect fit. Our instructor, Helena, explained key differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese and made every session engaging and fun. We learned useful phrases, pronunciation, and cultural insights to prepare us for travel to Portugal. Helena’s support and resources were fantastic. I highly recommend this course—it’s welcoming, interactive, and leaves you smiling. Obrigada, Speak!

Having a foundation in Spanish gave me the confidence to connect with locals. At an estancia on horseback, I practiced with my hosts and picked up new words. People really appreciated the effort—whether I was at a café, a produce stand, or in an Uber. Speaking even just a little of the local language made the whole experience more meaningful.

Franco is a fantastic teacher. His deep understanding of both Spanish and English grammar really stood out, and he customized our lessons to help me prepare for my trip to Uruguay.