BREAKFAST turned nasty for secretary Sim Sui Sen in Madrid two years ago when she got pickpocketed while eating.

Luckily, she had been taking Spanish lessons and could shout 'socorro' - 'help' in Spanish - very loudly. In broken Spanish, she reported her loss to sympathetic policemen.

For those interested, foreign language study books are readily available here. In Borders, for example, there are over 2,000 such titles, priced from $20 to $50. Asian languages tend to be more popular.

At Kinokuniya in Ngee Ann City, these books take up less than 5 per cent of floor space, but make up over 10 per cent of total sales - more than self-help books but less than fiction. Its 3,000 titles range from $5 to $500.

And since the Teach Yourself series of language books - spanning 50 languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu - was launched here by distributor STP in April last year, over 35,000 copies have been sold.

The downside to learning the lingo, however, is that you'll understand any insults which may come your way, as Ms Sim, 27, experienced when she visited some villages. Just brush them aside, she says with a shrug.

For those planning a trip to an exotic place with few English speakers, get more out of the experience by learning the language beforehand.

It could come in handy in more ways than one, not just when you're haggling for a bargain.

BERLITZ
501 Orchard Road, #05-03/04 Wheelock Place, tel: 6733-7472

Say what? Spanish, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Dutch, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Portuguese, Thai, Malay, Mandarin and Italian.

Time slots? Classes run from 7.30am to 9.15pm. Private tuition is charged in minimum 1 1/2-hour blocks, while group lessons are 2 1/4 hours per session. Full-day immersion classes last from 9.15am until 4.45pm.

More expensive than my vacation? Perhaps. Classes range from $295 to $6,000, depending on the level of proficiency and whether it is one-on-one or in a group. Course materials are included for group lessons, but may cost up to $375 for one-on-one sessions.

What will I learn? At the beginner's level: how to greet people, give basic information about yourself, ask for directions and order a meal.

Who are my classmates? Professionals in their mid-20s to 40s. There are about 10 students in a class.

And my teacher? Fluent native speakers with university degrees, trained in the Berlitz method, in which classes are conducted entirely in the language students are learning.

Best for? Busy professionals who can afford the fees. The location is very convenient, the method is efficient, and the classrooms are comfortable.

YMCA EDUCATION CENTRE
1 Orchard Road, level 2, tel: 6430-2222

Say what? Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

Time slots? Classes are held in the evenings, from 7 to 9.30pm, in two-hour sessions, for about nine weeks.

More expensive than my vacation? Hardly. It costs $170 for members of the YMCA and $180 for non-members. Course materials are included.

What do I learn? Introductions and general conversation. Common phrases, colours, numbers and objects.

Who are my classmates? Those in their early 20s to late 30s. About 80 per cent of the 200 students are working adults.

And my teacher? Native speakers and local trainers who are qualified and experienced in teaching these languages.

Best for? Backpackers who need to find their own way around a country or those seeking careers overseas. Student Zannathul Fertoz, 19, who is taking French lessons, likes the price and convenient location. She adds: 'The pace is just nice.'

COLEMAN COMMERCIAL & LANGUAGE CENTRE
277 Orchard Road, #06-01, Specialists' Shopping Centre, tel: 6733-9245

Say what? French, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Malay, Mandarin, Thai, Russian, Vietnamese, Spanish and Hindi.

Time slots? 7.30 to 9.30pm; courses run from 10 to 16 weeks.

More expensive than my vacation? Probably not. It costs between $200 to $300 for a 10-week course. Course materials are included. One-on-one lessons are available, but rates vary.

What do I learn? Basic pronunciation, grammar, core vocabulary and conversational phrases.

Who are my classmates? Young working professionals. Classes have an average of 20 students.

And my teacher? Either native speakers or Singaporeans who are fluent in the language.

Best for? Those working in the CBD area, who would like to upgrade their skills or simply unwind and make friends. Wrisney Tan, 29, a travel writer who is taking Spanish lessons, says: 'I like how my teacher injects personal anecdotes into the lessons to liven things up.'

CAMBRIDGE LANGUAGES
111 North Bridge Road, Peninsula Plaza #26-04 (main office), tel: 6336-4556

Say what? Mandarin, Japanese, French, German, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Tamil, Malay, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Bengali, Hebrew and Russian.

Time slots? 7 to 9.30pm (Mon to Fri), 2 to 4.30pm (Sat and Sun). The minimum duration of a course is 10 weeks (2 1/2-hour sessions). The maximum is 30 weeks.

More expensive than my vacation? Depends. Fees start from $250. One-on-one lessons are available, rates upon asking. Materials are provided.

What do I learn? Basic conversational phrases, with about 400 words.

Who are my classmates? A mixed bunch, from students to expatriates. Classes have an average of 15 students.

And my teacher? Native speakers who meet the Ministry of Education's requirement for foreign language teachers.

Best for? The adventurous linguist, who wants to learn more unusual languages, such as Arabic and Bengali. The school's business development manager, Ms Shahrany Hassan, says that while students returning from trips abroad couldn't understand everything said in the foreign tongue, 'they had fun experimenting with the language'.