| Here's an idea for a holiday gift - a | | | | for under $20 you can't beat the flexibility |
| language course. There are lots of | | | | you can get from an introductory language |
| introductory language products that are | | | | software product.My favorite approach to |
| inexpensive, educational and fun without | | | | language learning is with all-audio products. |
| being too 'academic' (let's face it, who | | | | They allow you to study when you aren't |
| wants to be 'academic' during the holidays?) | | | | usually doing anything productive, like |
| They would make a great gift for a student or | | | | driving to work. For audio products, there |
| language enthusiast, or even for someone | | | | are the popular Michel Thomas titles, but my |
| taking a trip in the near future.You can buy | | | | favorite language method of all is the |
| books, book and audio combination packages | | | | Pimsleur all-audio line. The Pimsleur Quick |
| and audio-only products in traditional | | | | and Simple set is an inexpensive introduction |
| booksellers like Barnes and Noble, Borders | | | | to a language that is easy to use and a lot |
| Books, Books-a-Million and others. Software | | | | of fun, and is less than $20.If your giftee |
| products can also be found in Wal-mart, Best | | | | likes their present, there are a multitude of |
| Buy and other large stores that carry any | | | | more advanced courses in all of these |
| kind of software. All these retailers also | | | | different formats. If they want to continue |
| have online stores, and of course there is | | | | studying their new language, there are ample |
| always If you want to limit your exposure to | | | | opportunities to do so. Sure, an educational |
| holiday shopping traffic and crowds, buying | | | | holiday gift might seem kind of boring for |
| online is the only way to go.There are | | | | some people, but for the right person, an |
| products for all the major languages (like | | | | introductory language course (or even a full |
| Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian | | | | course for the really ambitious!) can make a |
| and German) and also for many other less | | | | great holiday gift. If you know of anyone who |
| common languages as well. Introductory | | | | might like a gift like this, why not take a |
| courses are often inexpensive, less than $20 | | | | small chance. It could lead to a world of |
| and in some cases less than $10.Some popular | | | | opportunity and a lifetime of enjoyment.Ron |
| book and audio packages are the Living | | | | is a long-time language enthusiast, exploring |
| Language series and the Teach Yourself books | | | | Spanish, French, Swedish, Esperanto and |
| which have a very wide variety of languages | | | | others. Learn more about studying a language |
| to choose from. Both of these sets are sold | | | | on your own at Language Learning Advisor |
| with two or three audio cds and both can be | | | | |
| found for under $20 in most | | | | This guide for self-study language learners |
| bookstores.Instant Immersion and Transparent | | | | has reviews and recommendations of language |
| Language both make software products that can | | | | learning methods and products, links to |
| be found in almost any major retailer that | | | | online learning resources, learning tips to |
| has a bargain software shelf. Both companies | | | | maximize your study time and effectiveness |
| make more expensive advanced versions, but | | | | and articles on language learning. |