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