Spanish with Michel Thomas
By Michel Thomas

This is a set of eight CDs designed to teach Spanish without all the studying and note taking. First, the student learns how to construct some basic sentences, so that there will be some foundation to build on later. This program is also helpful in building up the student’s confidence – learning a new language is all about making mistakes!

Study Abroad: How to Get the Most Out of Your Experience
By Michele-Marie Dowell and Kelly P. Mirsky

This is a great resource if your child is planning to do a study abroad experience in college (or even in high school). The book is “journal style,” meaning that your child will fill in parts of the book with his or her own experiences. The book covers each point in the journey (planning, being abroad, and returning). Each point focuses on personal development, learning about one’s own culture, learning about another culture, professional development, and learning the language. Plus there are appendices with such useful information as a packing list, budget, and how to take care of personal business. The best part? After your child has filled out all the journal sections, it will serve as a memory book of your child’s abroad experience!

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Learning French
By Gail Stein

This is a good book if the student is a beginner hoping to reach an intermediate level in French. The student learns how to pronounce French words, use the correct grammar, and better understand the French culture.

The Eater’s Guide to Chinese Characters
By James D. McCawley

This is a very unique book. It operates on the premise that if you want to order the best food at a Chinese restaurant, you’ll need to know the menu. For anyone wanting to learn some Chinese, this might be a manageable way to start. It might be a fun family activity to bring a menu home and study it with the help of this book!