Learning your partner's language: Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Mandarin and more, where do you start?

Staff conversation starter from the Site Team.

Learning even a little of your partner's language can go a long way. Greetings, polite phrases and a few words for family members show respect, especially when meeting relatives who may not speak much English. It also helps you understand humor, everyday life and culture in a way translation apps can't fully capture.

Options range from free apps and YouTube channels to online tutors, community classes and language exchanges. Some languages bring specific challenges: tones in Thai, Vietnamese and Mandarin, or Tagalog's mix of English loanwords (Taglish) in everyday speech. Many learners find it useful to focus first on practical phrases they'll actually use rather than grammar drills.

Over to you: Which language are you learning (or thinking about learning), and what resources, apps or methods have worked for you? Any tips for getting past the beginner stage or practicing pronunciation?