travel Archives - Tammie's Take~

5 Gift Ideas for the Language Student in Your Life

Reviews · April 15, 2019

The truth of the matter is, we are living in a global society and never before has it been more important to learn to speak at least one foreign language. The world has become a global village and within nanoseconds you can be communicating with people in the far reaches of the world. While online translators are useful, they are highly inaccurate when trying to convey the intricacies of everyday interpersonal communications.

Therefore, a growing number of people, students and business professionals alike, are taking up one or more of the most commonly spoken languages in the world of commerce. If you have a friend or loved one seriously studying one or more foreign languages, you may be in need of a gift but are hard pressed to find the right thing that says it all, no pun intended. Why not try out one or more of these five gift ideas for the language student in your life.

1. Study Tools

No matter where you go to school or study a foreign language, no text book is ever complete. Study tools are always a helpful adjunct to any language arts program, so why not give them things like downloadable audio short stories? Some come with a printed version. Other things might be commonly spoken essay phrases to help them ace those classes. In fact, some sites even give you a few free tools along with those you can purchase, and the more that student utilizes, the better they will be in conversational language skills. To find out more about study tools for that special language student in your life, check out resources not offered as part of their course.

2. Personalized Mugs for That Morning Jolt of Java

If you know a serious student who isn’t a coffee aficionado, you have met a rare breed! What self-respecting student doesn’t kick start their day with a quick jolt of java? Personalized mugs are one way to impress that student and help them start their day in any language but their native tongue. It doesn’t cost much to have personalized mugs made up and even Walmart sells them for less than $20 on their website. Although you would have to come up with the artwork to be sublimated onto the mug, it’s a rather cool idea when you want to say something special. The only trick is translating it appropriately into the language/s they are studying!

3. Customized Travel Gear

What serious language student doesn’t like to travel to and through a country where the language they are studying is native to the location? Interestingly, Spanish is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the realm of commerce right up there with English, Mandarin and believe it or not, Arabic! French features into the top 10 as does German, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese. Similar to how you would have a mug imprinted, you can order customized travel gear online and it is really more affordable than you might imagine. Having said that, you won’t get designer clothes customized cheaply, but where can you order an Armani suit with a Spanish meme? Let’s be real here!

4. CDs and MP3s in the Language Being Studied

Ah, one of the great benefits of the Internet is the availability of music in just about any language imaginable. While that student may prefer another genre, there is something to be said for learning a language by listening to music. Did you know that the hemisphere of the brain that learns languages is the same hemisphere where music is interpreted? Any student who studies linguistics learns this early on in their coursework, so giving the gift of music is actually a twofold gift! Not only are you helping them to adapt to the culture of people speaking that language, but you are giving them a tool to help them learn! With both the right and left hemisphere involved, learning will be that much quicker. Some speech therapists rely on this, so why not a student of foreign languages?

5. Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

What serious student of foreign languages isn’t connected to their iPod or cell phone? When they aren’t in class they are listening to conversational Spanish, for example, but it can be a hassle trying to ignore the activity going on around them. Few (if any) mobile devices don’t come with Bluetooth capabilities, so why not get that student a high quality set of Bluetooth wireless headphones? While you can find Bluetooth headphones for less than $20, they probably will lack quality in sound and they will not have noise canceling features. Remember, you are trying to help that student excel in their studies, so do get them a better quality set, even though the cost may double or triple what you had thought to spend.

The Key Is to Step Out of the Box

It doesn’t matter what the occasion is for buying a gift for that serious language student in your life. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be for someone learning another language, but perhaps someone learning to speak English having moved here as a student or professional! The key is to think outside the box if you want something they will surely appreciate. Why would you get them a T-shirt if you can get them one customized with a meme or expression that is special to your relationship?

Also, remember that most students also probably work at the same time as going to school, so those handy language study tools will be greatly appreciated and utilized. Every time they pick up that chart of common expressions or listen to those audio stories, they will think of you. It’s all about finding that one special gift that is as useful as it is meaningful. Whether you have $5 to spend or $500 for a gift, there is something every language student will love. It’s time to start searching, so like that student, use the Internet and you will have the perfect gift. It’s a promise!

How to Travel around Canada on a Budget

Reviews · September 5, 2017

If you have your heart set on going to Canada, you will be happy to note that it is typically not amongst the most inexpensive places in North America to travel around. This is helped by the fact that festivals and attraction ticket prices are kept low for the most part, while the nature – which is generally free to explore – is one of the country’s big selling points.

Despite this, a trip to Canada can still be a painful experience for your bank balance. That is, if you don’t know how to budget your vacation properly. If you struggle to come up with ideas on how to save money when going on holiday, read on for some helpful tips on traveling around Canada on a budget.

Search around before booking flights

If you reside some distance away from Canada, one of the biggest expenditures for your vacation will likely be plane tickets. However, if you search around with the likes of Kayak, Skyscanner or any other flight comparison tool, you could well save a big chunk of change when it comes to purchasing such tickets.

On the topic of flying, also enquire about the prices for domestic flights. Although it might not seem reasonable on the surface, going by plane across the country might actually be cheaper than using other forms of transport.

Avoid staying in hotels

A hotel is a potential money pit for your Canada travel budget.

Thankfully, there are viable alternatives available to make things easier in that regard. Hostels are obviously the cheapest standard accommodation pick, but if you’re searching for something more private, a self-catering option could be your best bet. Not only are they cheaper to stay at than you might expect, but due to possessing kitchen facilities, you can also avoid the costly need to dine out each day. For an example, check out the condos offered by Tremblant Sunstar: https://www.tremblantsunstar.com/accommodations/condos

Stay outdoors

With a vast space of land and a tiny population in comparison, Canada is a place built for those that want to go on an outdoor adventure. The good news about that is most outdoor activities – from hiking to even skiing – are inexpensive to do. Instead of spending money on frivolous city attractions, stay outdoors and explore Canada’s glorious nature.

Use coupons

If you know what you’ll be doing in Canada ahead of time, it is advised that you view coupon websites to see if they have any deals available. You could find tickets to attractions at half price for example, or you might find a local eatery supplying plentiful food on the cheap.

Catch a ride

If you are traveling across the country, you will no doubt be worried about the cost of getting from place to place. Well, there’s always the optimistic option of trying to hitchhike, but this isn’t most successful or safest (even in Canada!) options of moving around.

There is, however, another way of traveling on the cheap that hasn’t already been mentioned. That is by using ride-sharing services. Websites like Kangaride and Craigslist have a ride-share page, where you have the opportunity to share a vehicle with travelers that are going to the same destination as you. So to save money and potentially make new friends, all you have to do is split the cost of gas. Vacation properly. You could always earn some money
whilst you are away by renting out your house whilst you are away. We recommend Global Guardians who are professionals on how to protect a vacant property.

What Are the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Entertained on a Long Journey?

Reviews · September 2, 2017

Have you ever been in the position where you have arrived at an airport to board a flight, but the plane has been delayed? Or have you got to embark on a long journey, and you know that it will be boring?

Well, there are things you can do to keep yourself entertained, plus, it doesn’t mean you have to run the battery down on your phone.

Mobile Phone Games

Of course, you can always use your phone to play games while you are traveling. There are many out there to choose from, and they range in many genres from puzzle to the platform. You also have many casino type games such as Canadian Casinos which let you play roulette or blackjack while the time goes by.

The thing to remember, however, is that you should make sure that you have a spare battery or a power bank so that you can still use your phone if it goes flat. You might even be able to use a charging point that some vehicles and trains are now fitted with.

Books or Magazines

If you don’t want to play games, or you don’t have enough power in your battery, then you can always read a good book. There are so many different types that there is bound to be one for any taste.

You can carry a lot of books if you use something like a Kindle. Plus, some of them have a backlight so you can read in low light. They are better on the eyes for reading than a tablet, and the battery life is long lasting.

You can also download your favorite magazine to read on the journey if you wish, having a digital copy can be a good idea as you can zoom in on the text to make it easier to read.

Travel Games

You might think that travel games are for children, but there are many that one person can play that will be excellent for you to pass the time. It could be something as simple as a deck of cards, but you can also get travel versions of many popular games.

Travel games can also be a good ice breaker if you are looking for someone else to play the game with you.

Coloring Books

Coloring books for adults have become fashionable over the past couple of years. You can now get books with all types of designs and themes such as Disney’s Frozen. It can be relaxing to sit a color your book while you are waiting, and you will have produced something constructive at the end of it.

You can buy small packets of pencils to take with you that won’t take up too much room in your bag.

You don’t want to sit around bored on a long journey, it will make the time go slowly and it can make you feel drowsy and tired at the end. Far better to do something to keep you occupied.