Many people see the world on fully escorted package tours and have a great time. If you go on a package tour, you might want to learn a few words of the native language. This will give you the courage to strike out on your own for a few hours, perhaps taking a walk around your hotel neighborhood. Using other cars' licence plates as flash cards read the numbers to yourself out loud. In addition, get a phrase book and dictionary to take with your on your trip.
Berlitz books are the classic.
Rick Steves publishes phrase books and dictionaries specially designed for the budget traveler. Back to top I want to be able to break away from the package tour occasionally. Package tours are nice, but sometimes you just want to get away from the group and wander around by yourself. Spend about a half hour a day for several months and you will learn enough to ask directions, read a menu, shop and spend your days semi-independently. Back to top I want to learn to conduct conversations in a new language.