The Importance of a Second Language
In today’s world, most countries teach their children to be bilingual. In fact, it is mandatory for many students throughout the world to learn English. Americans are one of the only industrialized nations to not take on the task of teaching our young citizens a second langue. This is even more troubling when one stops to consider that there is currently a large non-English speaking portion of the country. Sixteen percent of the population in the United States speaks Spanish as their primary language. This number is only increasing as Spanish speaking immigrants and already established citizens continue to increase in population. Furthermore, as a result of the large Spanish-speaking population in some areas of the country, it is becoming increasingly necessary for people of those regions to be bilingual. Many jobs now require that their employees speak Spanish.
As a result of these facts and figures, there are many people in this country that are fighting to introduce a more rigorous language component into the American school system. Though some school districts are beginning to encourage students to study a second language, it is not yet mandated in this country. Rather than expanding the minds of our English speaking student body, our nation has mandated that Spanish-speaking students be enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
While many people throughout the country do feel that students should not only be mandated to study a second language, but that this training should begin at the very earliest stages of school, there are those that debate the point eagerly.
Many that are against mandatory second language classes feel that American schools should be more focused on increasing literacy in the nation than they should be with forcing a second language on the younger generations. Currently, in this country, the United States Department of Education estimated that there are thirty-two million adults without the capability of reading anything more than a children’s picture book.
Illiteracy is, undoubtedly, a major issue in this country, but many would argue that this does not erase the fact that studying another language opens doors professionally, encourages a person to explore cultures other than his or her own, and even provides an individual with a better understanding of sentence structure and grammar in his or her own language. Aside from the professional and educational benefits, a second language can make travel easier and make it possible for a person to communicate with a whole other population that would have otherwise been cut off.
If you are trying to learn Spanish, or you would like to introduce the language to your child outside of the school system, it is always better to learn it straight from the mouth of a native Spanish speaking individual. Consider immersing yourself or your child in a population of Spanish-speaking individuals, or find teaching tools that feature words, sentences and paragraphs spoken by such a person. There are many tools available for those that want to broaden their horizons through a second language, which means, even if the nation does not mandate it, your child and even you will have always have the option.
Top 10 Free Activities at Disney World
Our team of Theme Park employees and Orlando-based travel agents created the Top 10 Free Activities at Disney World. These are the ten best, fun activities at Disney World that do not cost a penny.
1. Downtown Disney - You can walk around this huge shopping, dining and entertainment complex at Disney World. There is free entertainment at the Downtown Disney Marketplace that includes getting your picture taken with statutes of Buzz Lightyear and a pirate from the crew of the Flying Duchess, watching the boats, sprites, and ferries travel across the bay, pin trading at the pin pavilion, and the kids can play at the LegoLand playground and Legos area.
To stay cool, the kids can bring their swimsuits and play in the water jet area. Additionally, Westside (the western side of Downtown Disney) has several excellent restaurants, including Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues, and Wolfgang Puck’s. Virgin Records also has a two-story store on the Westside that carries books, music, and videos. All of which can be sampled for FREE while visiting this store.
2. Animal Programs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - You can visit the animals in the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Depending on your viewing location, of which there are several, you will see giraffe, pelicans, flamingos, monkeys, and gazelles roaming the 33-acre wildlife preserve that surrounds the resort.
There are several educational programs throughout the day including special viewings in the evening with night vision goggles and special feeding times throughout the day. At the end of the day, stories will be told around the fire pit just outside the main lobby.
3. Hidden Mickey Hunt - Take a Hidden Mickey Hunt around any of the Disney resorts. Many of the resort front desks will have a Hidden Mickey guide for that resort, such as the Hidden Mickey Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. These hidden versions of the classic Mickey ears logo (°o°) can be found throughout Disney property. This is a fun activity for kids and adults!
4. Stables & Petting Zoo - Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has a fun area near Pioneer Hall that has stables with horses from Magic Kingdom and a petting zoo area. Plus for a nominal fee, kids can take a pony ride.
While you’re here, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has some of the most scenic and lengthy walking paths of any resort on Disney property, so get out there and enjoy some fitness in the beautiful Florida weather!
5. Water Taxi/Ferry Ride – Enjoy a leisure boat ride from Downtown Disney to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. You can walk around the beautiful trails and rivers around Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and then ride the water taxi back to Downtown Disney.
Additionally, you can take a ride on one of the ferries that takes resort guests to the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These include the ferry from the Wilderness Lodge that goes to Magic Kingdom, then Fort Wilderness, and finally back to Wilderness Lodge. This ferry gives riders great views of both Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, including seeing long forgotten Disney attractions like River Country and Treasure Island.
Also, this ride will take you over one of the engineering feats on Disney property, the water “bridge.” This canal passes over a road as cars pass “under” the water. Disney’s Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the Swan and Dolphin have a ferry that travels from these resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and back providing amazing views of the Florida landscape and the Tower of Terror ride. All the resorts will provide you with a short-term parking permit (2-3 hours, depending on the season) to explore the resort.
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6. Electrical Water Pageant - Spend an evening in a hammock on the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort while you watch the Electrical Water Pageant. This fun water parade runs in front of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, nightly.
7. Wishes Fireworks - You can watch the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom from the Deck at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is an amazing view of the fireworks above Cinderella’s Castle.
8. Ride the Monorail - You can take a ride on the monorail loop to see some of the Walt Disney World Resort. This is always a fun ride for the whole family.
The main loop goes from the Magic Kingdom front entrance to the Ticketing and Transportation Center to EPCOT and back. There is also an “inner” loop that will take you from the front entrance of Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and then returning to the front entrance of Magic Kingdom.
You can even ask a Disney Cast Member if you can ride at the front with the driver. If you are lucky enough to ride up front, the driver will present you with a Monorail Driver’s License!
9. Campfire Singalong - Enjoy a fun evening at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Chip and Dale will greet you for this fun campfire sing-along. You can roast marshmallows and then sing some fun songs around the campfire. After the sing-along, enjoy a classic Disney movie on the big screen for FREE!
10. Disney’s Boardwalk – Enjoy evening activities on Disney’s Boardwalk including games and live entertainment. You can even see some of the IllumiNations Show at Epcot along the Disney’s Boardwalk.
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Enjoy planning your Disney World vacation!
Low Airfare Tips
Months ago, I read an book that reveals the hidden techniques and “dirty” secrets to getting the lowest possible price for your plane ticket. I was astonished!
I’ve read tons of information on airfare and travel; but so far, this is the best resource I’ve seen on getting dirt cheap airfare.
Ok, now for the 10 tips on getting very cheap airfare:
1. Flights are cheaper during the middle of the week, such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Don’t fly on Mondays and Fridays if possible.
2. The best day and time of the week to get the cheapest airfare prices is on Wednesday, between midnight and 1 am, around 12:30 am.
3. Book your flight at least 3 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons like Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving. As more seats are being taken, the higher the prices become. Airfares are greatly reduced the day after major holidays.
4. Compare the prices of direct and connecting flights. If you want convenience and don’t mind spending a few dollars, choose direct flight. If you want to save some bucks at the cost of convenience, then choose connecting flights.
5. Use date search tools to find out what travel dates provide the cheapest airfare. Many of the online travel sites such as Travelocity, Hotwire, Expedia, Priceline, etc. have such tools.
You could save money by departuring or arriving on a certain date. Even a one or two day difference can mean a few extra savings.
6. Find out what airport provide the cheapest alternative. There are some cases when going to a farther airport might mean an extra taxi fare, but it could save you much more overall than if you choose the nearest airport.
7. If you bought your ticket early and found that the fare was lowered, call the airline and politely ask for a refund for the price difference. Most customer-oriented airlines will grant your request, as long as you’re nice and kind.
8. Compare prices on round trips and one way flights. You might be surprised to know that there are times when the price difference is almost the same; and in some cases, the one way flight might even be more expensive! The same goes for flights with hotel and without hotel.
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9. Use certain travel sites to help you in finding and getting very cheap airfare, such as:
Travelocity.com
Cheapflights.com
Bestfares.com
Onetravel.com
Farecast.com gives predictions on what dates prices will increase or decrease in the coming week.
Yapta.com tracks prices and alerts you when the price is reduced. They even help you get refund travel credits when the fare drops after you paid.
10. If you’re a senior or a member of the military, the airline will give you a discounted price so make sure you make them aware of that.
Did you find these tips on getting very cheap airfare helpful? That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
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