Moving Internationally Learning a New Language

One of the most crucial steps to a successful international move is learning the native language of your new country.

This is imperative for making friends, understanding local culture, ordering from restaurants and navigating your way through you new country.

Try learning the most common 1,000 words used in a language.

You will not be able to hold detailed conversations with this limited vocabulary, but at least you will be able to make yourself understood.

After you have mastered basic words, there are many resources available to individuals who want to learn a new language.

Language Classes

You can plan ahead and take language courses before you move overseas  or find a language course in your adopted country.

You can register  to  classes through community programs, language schools or universities.

Your local embassy or consulate may offer language classes for free or  for a small fee.

Home Study Programs

Pronunciation is a key, so try to learn from audio lessons as well as written lessons so you know the proper way to pronounce words.

There are many language programs that have been developed to teach individuals a new language at home.

You can purchase comprehensive language programs that were designed to teach individuals a new language quickly.

You can also purchase home-based lessons that will only give you simple phrases and basic conversation tools.

Determine what level of learning is right for you.

There are also free options that you can take advantage of from local and online sources.

Check out your local library for books, videos, and CDs you can check out at no cost to help with your language lessons.

There are also many free online sources that give you tools to learn a new language for free.

Experiment with different websites and find one that you enjoy and that works with your learning style.

Download podcasts to listen to in order to make better use of your time while you are in the car or working out.

Learn to Speak Conversationally

Language books and classes often teach formal ways of speaking a language, but conversations can be filled with slang and unfamiliar phrases.

There are many people who want to learn English, so find a language buddy that is willing to have regular meetings.

If you can’t find a local language buddy, there are websites available to help pair up language buddies over the internet.

You will engage in conversation, practice speaking with each other and learn to communicate in a new language.

This is a great way to learn slang and expressions that are not easily translated.

A language buddy will also help correct any mistake you make while speaking, which most people will not do in normal conversations.

You can also watch TV, listen to the radio or rent foreign films to learn how to speak conversationally.

At first you might only recognize every few words, but soon enough the flow of the new language will come together and you will begin to understand complete conversations.

You can listen to conversations without worrying because the more you listen, the more you will understand.

Listening helps you understand the sound of the language and will also help you with pronunciation.

Immerse Yourself in the Country’s Culture and Language

Practice ordering meals, asking for directions and interact with locals in their native language as often as possible.

You can also post-it notes to label items in your house so you are getting constant language reminders.

The more you practice the better you will become.

Article provided by IntlMOVE Inc.

IntlMOVE Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips when you Move Internationally

International moving expenses can add up quickly, but planning ahead can help make your overseas relocation more affordable.
Use these money saving tips to help you plan your next move.

• International Move Budget

Before planning your international move, you should determine how much money you have available for your moving budget.
Your budget will help determine where you need to cut costs and how much you need to spend on necessary services.
Preparing yourself for all the expenses associated with moving will help make sure you have enough resources for all the needed services without having to shell out money you weren’t planning to spend.
Do your research and find out what everything is going to cost your first few months in your location.
Determine all move-in fees, utility set-up fees and put together a budget for all items that will need to be purchased upon your arrival.
Research market costs for shipping your household goods and personal effects overseas so you have a budget ready when you are ready to choose an international moving company to help you with this new and exciting journey.

• Plan Ahead

Utilize online discount travel websites to get the best price on your airline ticket.
Many travel websites offer fare watchers so you can keep an eye on the prices of your airline tickets and get the best deal available.
Buying your plane tickets at the very last minute can result in paying more money than you were planning to spend on transportation.
Make sure all passports and visas are applied for in advance.
Rush charges on necessary documentation can add preventable expenses to your moving budget very quickly.
Make a checklist of everything you need to do before you move so nothing goes unnoticed.
As soon as you know you will be relocating overseas, contact a reputable international moving company like IntlMOVE.
An international moving company can help you save money by suggesting cost saving measures like moving during the off-peak season.
Make sure your new residence is available for move-in when your items arrive at your new location and clear customs.
If your new home is ready when your household goods arrive, you can avoid paying additional storage fees.

• Lighten your Load

Shipping household goods overseas can be expensive, so determine what you will actually need in your new home.
When deciding what to pack, it is a good idea to ask yourself whether it is more cost effective to ship the item or buy it new when you arrive.
Your shipment is calculated by volume, so you will not want to take large plastic toys or any inexpensive items that take up a lot of space.
If you are moving to a smaller space, you may not need all of your furniture, so decide what pieces of furniture will be necessary to ship overseas.
Get rid of all clothing that family members have outgrown and items that you no longer need.
You will also want to determine what electronics you want to move to your new location.
Many countries have voltage differences, so you will have to buy converters to be able to use your televisions, computers and other electronic equipment.
After you have decided what you want to take and what will be put in storage, have a yard sale or sell your household goods that won’t be needed through different websites or online auctions.
You can also donate unwanted items to charitable organizations that can be used as a tax write-off.

• Moving and Taxes

Check with your accountant because your move may be eligible for a tax write-off if it is job related.
Keep all of your expense receipts in order to save time and money when tax season rolls around.

Buy Secondhand Items
You may need to purchase some furniture or other items for your new home.
Instead of purchasing new items, look for secondhand stores or utilize websites with local listings to find used furniture and other household goods.
You can save a lot of money off the full retail price of new items by purchasing gently used items.