If your using Internet Explorer, its real easy. Just go up to [View]-[Encoding]-['and select the language.'] If the language isn't already installed, it should pop-up a download window. Afterwards, whenever you go to a foreign language website, it should display the correct characters. Just be sure to change it back when viewing normal sites or some of the characters will be that language instead.
As for the images and backgrounds missing, it could be a few things, but nothing to do with the forementioned language settings.