| Before going on your next vacation or business | | | | can also do a search on any search engine for |
| trip abroad, consider learning some of the | | | | "learn spanish" or "learning chinese" or any other |
| language that is spoken where you're going. You | | | | language, and you will find many sites with free |
| can get started learning easily and relatively | | | | tutorials.There are also loads of commercial |
| inexpensively. Learning the local language can | | | | products to help you learn a language, many |
| enhance your travelling experience, sometimes in | | | | designed for the traveller. There are books, tapes, |
| ways you never thought of.You can begin with | | | | cd's, videos and software products. In some |
| just a few greetings and phrases, progress to a | | | | cases, there are combination packages that can |
| more 'survival vocabulary' level, or if you really | | | | be very comprehensive. The Pimsleur line of audio |
| like, you can go ahead and spend months studying | | | | tapes and cd's are ideal for a simple, pain-free |
| the language in-depth. In any case, if you find you | | | | introduction to a language. The Living Language line |
| like speaking and learning the language, you can | | | | of book and tape combo's are also relatively |
| always expand on what you've learned at first | | | | inexpensive and effective. RosetteStone, Teach |
| and further your study.Why learn the language? | | | | Yourself, Transparent Language and many others |
| For one thing, it is easier to deal with the local | | | | provide products for whatever medium you are |
| people if you speak even a little of their language. | | | | most comfortable with that can get you started |
| Don't assume everyone speaks English. Numbers, | | | | learning a language.Another possibility is a class or |
| greetings, directions and simple questions are not | | | | tutor. The personal interaction between people is |
| very hard to learn and are very useful. The locals | | | | what language is all about, so for many people, |
| will appreciate the effort on your part, and in fact, | | | | this is the best way to begin learning a foreign |
| you may receive slightly better treatment than | | | | language. You can also go one step further and |
| you would otherwise. In a perfect world that | | | | take a 'learning vacation.' This is an immersion |
| wouldn't be true, but every little bit | | | | class or learning tour in the country you are going |
| helps.Improving communication with the locals is | | | | to.Just about anywhere you go it will benefit you |
| important. By learning some of the language, you | | | | to learn the local language. Learning a language for |
| reduce the possiblity of miscommunication. | | | | travel will broaden your horizons and present you |
| "Please," "Thank You," "How much is that?," and | | | | with a growing list of opportunities for your |
| "Where is ..." are all easy to learn and can go a | | | | future. The bottom line is to enhance your travel |
| long way toward friendly encounters. These | | | | and just have fun. Learning even a little of a new |
| phrases can be very handy for all the times you | | | | language will make travelling easier and more |
| go to restaurants, buy something, take a taxi | | | | rewarding, with minimal risk on your part. You |
| etc.Travel is simply more fun when you speak | | | | may even find it enjoyable enough to continue |
| the language. It's all part of the adventure. | | | | your study further. If you can improve your |
| Learning the country, the people and the culture | | | | travelling experience, and add a valuable life-skill in |
| will expand your possibilities. By learning another | | | | the process, then why not do it?Ron is a |
| language you can increase your social contacts | | | | long-time language enthusiast, exploring Spanish, |
| and travel opportunities. Work, study and even | | | | French, Swedish, Esperanto and others. |
| retirement abroad all become more possible.So, | | | | Learn more about studying a language on your |
| how do you go about starting to learn a new | | | | own at |
| language? There are lots of different sources you | | | | This guide for self-study language learners has |
| can use to get started.First is online. There are | | | | reviews and recommendations of language |
| endless websites that can help you start learning | | | | learning methods and products, links to online |
| a particular language. offers free online words and | | | | learning resources, learning tips to maximize your |
| phrases with audio that you can use to pick up | | | | study time and effectiveness and articles on |
| the basics. is also an excellent source with some | | | | language learning. |
| more in-depth tutorials for many languages. You | | | | |