Free Website Helps Travelers Learn New Languages
Practice Foreign Language Skills Before a Luxury Vacation Abroad
Sep 10, 2008
LiveMocha is a free language-learning site aimed at people making travel plans to countries in which they are unfamiliar with the language. The site provides an excellent way for luxury travelers to brush up on their language skills prior to visiting a particular country. Pre-travel plans can include completing LiveMocha lessons in a timeframe users desire, and they can practice their foreign language skills with native speakers online. Livemocha is also planning to integrate some tutoring capabilities, and there is a travel "crash course" in the works as well.
There are over 800 thousand members on LiveMocha; members span the globe, and help the site with lessons in 11 popular languages. These include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Mandarin, German, Russian, Hindi and Icelandic. The free site allows users to converse with native speakers through both instant messaging and audio chats. To help prepare tourists for a luxury vacation abroad, LiveMocha has also offered a list of tips for safe international travel.
Tips for Safe International Travel:
- Safeguard valuables when traveling to a foreign country. Use a fanny pack or something with a zipper, instead of an open pocket or purse. Before departure, alert banks and credit card companies of the location and dates of travel. Pack as few credit cards as possible, and keep a separate quick reference sheet with international numbers to report a theft.
- If possible, become conversationally proficient - or at least learn some key phrases and practice the local language prior to a trip to a foreign country. Remember, free instruction and practice is available at LiveMocha.
- Ensure that a friend or family member has a copy of your itinerary and appropriate contact details. Designate someone to check in with upon arrival.
- Become familiarized with local customs and laws; tourists are still responsible for following the laws while on vacation in different countries. The last thing anyone wants on vacation is to spend it behind bars!
- Use the local currency. Find an easy formula for converting monetary numbers mentally, or use this currency tool site for accurate and timely currency conversion rates.
- Map out destinations in advance. Ask friends, family members, and colleagues for recommendations of safe areas to visit, as well as areas to avoid. This will help ensure that vacations abroad won't be spent with completing travel plans by trial and error.
- Don't look like a tourist. Try to observe the local style: This help prevent becoming a target for people who prey on tourists.
- Remember to show humility and gratitude. Most locals are pleased to help travelers in a pinch, if they see a smile and appreciation.
International travel can be an exciting experience that provides invaluable memories. A luxury vacation abroad requires travel planning and research, of course; help future vacations in foreign countries be easier by learning the language and customs of the destination country.
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