Since you are organized enough to take full advantage of your pre-travel time...how about learning a new language? You'll be glad you did once you get to any foreign language destination.
Photo of Hallstatt, Austria. You'll need German to speak the native language here...
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone approaches language learning the same way that you first learned a language. You use the language directly without translation. No more confusing grammar explanations or mind-numbing vocabulary lists to memorize.
As the leading language-learning software in the world, Rosetta Stone makes learning a new language second nature. Millions of learners in more than 150 countries have already used this software to gain the confidence that comes with truly knowing a new language.
Links below (left to right), for German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian give you some idea of what Rosetta Stone has to offer. These software language programs are not inexpensive but if you consider the cost of even a basic college course in time and dollars, I think you will agree they are really a bargain.
Traveling to a country with a language foreign to you? Let Rosetta Stone help you feel like a native - you'll enjoy your trip a whole lot more. Below are a few countries you may recognize and be considering for your next vacation and the native and/or predominant languages spoken.
This list is not complete and does not take into consideration multi-language areas of Europe or different dialects of the same language. Please consider it a starting point in your research.
German:
Austria,
Belgium,
Germany,
Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg,
Namibia, and
Switzerland
French:
Belgium,
Burundi,
Cameroon,
Canada,
Central African Republic,
Chad,
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Côte d'Ivoire,
Djibouti,
Equatorial Guinea,
France,
Gabon,
Guinea,
Haiti,
Luxembourg, ,
Madagascar
Mali,
Mauritania,
Mauritius,
Monaco,
Niger,
Senegal,
Seychelles,
Switzerland,
Togo, and
Vanuatu
Italian:
Italy, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City
Spanish:
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela
Russian:
Russia and over 28 territories!
GERMAN FRENCH ITALIAN SPANISH RUSSIAN
Instant Immersion
Instant Immersion uses natural image association techniques to help you learn as easily as you learned your first language. With Instant Immersion, you will have more fun, save money and reach your goals faster. These software language programs are less expensive options for those still needing a quick entry into a foreign language.
Whether you are learning a new language for school, work or your next vacation, Instant Immersion's fun and effective exercises, interactive activities and challenging quizzes will help you achieve language fluency in less time than other language systems. You will think, read and speak your new language with ease. Levels 1, 2 & 3 include six language learning CD-ROMS and three bonus discs.
If not for you, they also make thoughtful and inexpensive gifts...
NOTE: I actually got the German version Instant Immersion language course for Christmas...I'll let you know how it goes but I am impressed so far with what is provided...
