Since we are constantly searching for new ways to help study
abroad students learn languages before, during, and after their trips, we were
delighted to find a new, extremely portable way to do so. Not only is PlaySay
handy and portable, it is available in Japanese and Chinese as well as Spanish! The system consists of audio image flashcards that are available in
audio files to learn each word pair in either language direction. You can put
these on your iPod or cell phone to easily review vocabulary anywhere you
happen to be.
A really cool aspect of the PlaySay program is what is offered:
Chinese offers preparation for the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) levels 1-4, as well as the Integrated Chinese textbooks, and the New Practical Chinese Reader series. While studying Chinese recently, my class used the Integrated Chinese textbooks and I painstakingly made hundreds of flashcards by hand… I wish I had known about PlaySay!
For Japanese, you can get vocabulary for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
(JLPT), grammar dictionaries, common phrase books, and several others such as
Japanese for Busy People.
For Spanish learners, flashcards are available for learning and
practicing verbs, as well as vocabulary and textbooks too.
By Joey F., Guest Video Blogger: Heredia, Costa Rica
Watch a video blog by our newest guest video blogger, Joey. Joey is studying Spanish in Heredia, Costa Rica. He takes us on a tour of his homestay, his walk to school, and his Spanish class in Heredia. Want to be a guest blogger? Click here for details.
There are many things to consider when budgeting for study
abroad. Make a list of everything you can think of that you will need to pay
for on a daily basis. Don’t forget to include lodging and meals that aren’t
included with your program; personal items, such as toiletries, clothing,
nights out, and souvenirs; additional travel, excursions, and daily local
transportation; and some extra money in case of emergency. Here is a handy list
of important things to consider when budgeting for study abroad. For more tips
on budgeting and other important pre-departure information, download our free
e-report, Guide to Pre-Departure.
Alajuela, Costa Rica is the location of one of our best Spanish programs. Read about a recent visit made by one of our study abroad coordinators:
The school director met me at the airport and drove me to the school when I arrived in the morning. It was about 30 or so minutes from the airport to the school. On our way we drove through Alajuela town. The school in not really located in Alajuela, but in Carillos about 10 or 15 minutes from Alajuela. Alajuela town looked nice and students could get everything they needed there. Buses run from town to the school often and there is a bus stop at the school.
Study abroad mistakes can plague your time overseas. Don’t let
them! We’ve compiled a list of the 19 Biggest Study Abroad Mistakes, with ways
to avoid them. For example:
Biggest Mistake #3 – Taking Too Many Class Hours
If your goal is to learn a language as quickly as possible,
you’ll notice that the majority of standard programs only offer three, four or
five hours a day of classes. Can’t you learn faster if you take six or even
eight hours per day of class? There are many reasons that most programs only
offer about half a day of classes:
Watch a video of our Budget-Friendly Spanish school in Salamanca, Spain. AmeriSpan offers Budget-Friendly locations in Barcelona, Madrid, and Salamanca, Spain.
Some first-hand information about lodging at our our Spanish
school in Anitgua, Guatemala. Antigua is a beautiful colonial city in
Guatemala, and our programs there are of excellent quality and also a great
value. We offer group and private Spanish classes, four SALUD Medical Spanish
programs, and three Spanish & Fun programs: Activa Spanish, Un Poco de
Todo, and Spanish & Salsa.
I visited homestays with the homestay coordinator. We saw
5 different houses, all no more than 10 minutes by foot to the school. They
were similar, all had at least 4 or 5 bedrooms that could house students,
though I no one while I was there had more than 3 students in the house. The
rooms were simple, usually including a bed, desk, closet, and small shelving
for personal items. All the houses had a nice garden in the center of the house
and big dinning room for everyone to have their meals. I saw a few rooms with
private baths and also saw the shared bathrooms. No one had to share with more
than 3 other students – 1 bathroom for 2 double rooms.
By Katie P., Guestblogger from Coronado, Costa Rica Independent Teen program
My last weekend I decided to spend in Coronado with some other students and of course, my host family. On Sunday, my full final day, I returned to my host home in the afternoon after visiting Volcano Irazu. My host mom and her daughter were sitting at the back patio and I greeted them and started petting the family dog, Lucy. Her daughter excitedly rose out of her chair and said to me, “Mira!” (Look!) This young women in her 30s, in her skirt and designer shoes started bouncing all around the patio getting the dog to chaotically lunge at her feet. Then my host mom stands up and I join in until the dog is so tired and a dizzy that she slurped up some water and collapse to the ground, panting.
Save $150 on Granada, Marbella, and Sevilla, Spain Register for a Spanish language program starting on any date in Granada, Marbella or Sevilla by November 30, 2009 and save $150. You must use discount code "Save on Spain" when registering to receive the discount.
Get to Know Guanajuato, Mexico with 12% Discount Register for a Spanish language program starting on any date in Guanajuato by November 30, 2009 and save 12%. You must use discount code "Know Guanajuato" when registering to receive the discount.
We already
love the Kindle for study abroad: It reduces weight and bulk in your luggage,
alleviates the need to select which one or two books to bring, and even has
guidebooks, phrasebooks, and maps available. Oh, and you can even bring AmeriSpan’s
helpful, free e-reports on your study abroad trip too! Now, they’ve taken the
next step by introducing the latest Kindle, this one with international
capabilities. It can now download new material wirelessly in over 100 countries
around the world.
, this one with international
capabilities. It can now download new material wirelessly in over 100 countries
around the world. 
