We’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world from sipping espresso on a foggy morning in Venice to road-tripping through Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes. We’ve walked the cliffs of Ireland, wandered ancient ruins in Greece, and soaked in slow sunsets over the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. We’ve been blessed to share these moments with our kids, and over the years, we’ve learned that the best travel memories aren’t always about where you are, they’re about who you connect with along the way.

And more often than not, that connection starts with a simple word in the local language.

I’m not talking about fluency. I’m talking about effort, a greeting, a thank you, and a compliment. It’s those small moments of trying that open the biggest doors.

That’s why I started looking for a better way to learn languages, as we traveled, something that felt natural, conversational, and real.

That’s when I found MakesYouFluent. And honestly, it changed the way we show up in the world.

Why This App Feels Different From Every Other Language Tool

I’ve tried a lot of language learning apps. Most feel like a high school quiz—memorization drills, robotic phrases, and awkward interfaces that don’t really prepare you to talk to someone.

But MakesYouFluent is different. From day one, it felt less like a study tool and more like a travel companion. You’re not memorizing vocab in a vacuum—you’re dropped into real-world situations where you have actual conversations with AI-powered tutors that adapt to your learning level in real time.

Whether you're ordering coffee, booking a hotel, or chatting with locals, the app gives you live, spoken practice that mimics the real thing. You get instant feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and fluency. You hear how you sound, adjust on the fly, and build confidence as you go.

Real Conversations That Build Real Confidence

One of my favorite features is Call Mode. It lets you practice hands-free while you're walking, driving, or even grabbing a coffee. You can have full conversations with lifelike avatars that speak and respond just like a real person would.

Even cooler, you can choose to chat with historical figures like Einstein, Cleopatra, or Steve Jobs. It keeps things light and entertaining, which makes it easier to stick with. Our son thought it was hilarious, and I found myself smiling during practice sessions more than once.

It makes learning feel like storytelling. Not studying.

These Moments Stay With You

I’ll never forget a brisk November morning in Venice. We found a little standing-room-only café run by sweet older Italian women, serving espresso and pastries to locals on their way to work. Kelsey held our baby daughter in her arms, dressed in the cutest outfit, while our son, just three years old at the time, stood wide-eyed as the baristas admired them.

They kept calling our kids “belli” and “dolce,” beautiful, sweet. And with just a few basic Italian phrases we had learned, we shared a short but special conversation. There were smiles, laughter, and warmth. A connection made possible because we had taken the time to learn just enough to show we cared.

In Costa Rica, when Kelsey was pregnant with our second child, we stayed at a villa where the staff went above and beyond. They cooked meals, cleaned, and helped us navigate our trip with a personal valet. Over the course of our stay, we began to build relationships, not in perfect Spanish, but through short, thoughtful phrases. Enough to express gratitude. Enough to share laughs. By the end of the trip, they didn’t feel like staff. They felt like friends.

And then there was Reykjavík, Iceland. A local stood behind me in a coffee shop, and I paid for his drink without saying a word. He smiled and said something in Icelandic. I couldn’t translate it word for word, but I knew what it meant. It meant thank you. It meant I see you. A small gesture, met with a small phrase, and just like that, the world felt smaller and kinder.

Why It Works for Our Lifestyle

We’re constantly on the move. Between flights, filming, chasing light, and chasing toddlers, we don’t exactly have time for classroom learning. That’s why MakesYouFluent works so well for us.

You can use it anytime in a hotel room, on a plane, or during a quiet moment at a trailhead. The Call Mode lets you practice hands-free while driving. And every session adapts to your skill level, starting with a quick placement quiz that sets the right pace for your journey, whether you’re brand new to a language or looking to refine what you already know.

You can even track your progress with streaks, badges, and skill graphs. For someone like me who likes to see growth, that’s actually pretty motivating.

Let me know if you’d like a version that’s more casual, more punchy, or formatted for a specific use like Instagram or a website.

And Here’s the Wild Part

It’s all incredibly affordable. Way cheaper than any tutoring session and honestly, less than what you’d spend on a coffee most days.

For a tool that can transform your travel experience, that feels like a steal.

The Bottom Line

I’m not here to tell you to become fluent in five languages before your next trip. But I am here to tell you that learning a few words and practicing them with confidence can change the way you experience the world.

It can turn a stranger into a friend.

It can turn a transaction into a conversation.

It can turn a moment into a memory.

MakesYouFluent has helped us create those moments across the globe. And I truly believe it can do the same for you.

Whether you’re off to Europe, heading to Latin America, or exploring somewhere new for the very first time, this app belongs on your phone.

Try it. See how it changes the way you travel.