Maybe you have a language learner in your life and you want to support their endeavor by preparing a gift for them, but you want to give them something tangible, something they can get their hands on. What to do? Besides books or maybe a package of flashcards (not bad choices), the options are shockingly limited.
Admittedly, I’m biased because I designed language learning card games, but so be it! I want to make the case to you today that you should try giving one of my games as a gift. But first, a little bit about the games and how they work.
The Games: How Do They Work? Who Are They For?
Many language learning games on the market today relay beginner-level words and phrases directly and explicitly; their card faces or board spaces have words in the players’ target languages printed on their surfaces for easy repetition and memorization. And I think those would be a great choice for casual gamers and complete beginners. That said, that is NOT how the majority of my games function.
The majority of games provide prompts which players must speak about creatively, coming up with words, short phrases, or sentences on their own which fit the requirements or topics of the cards. This encourages creative thinking, creative production, and active learning. My view is that, the players themselves are and always will be the richest resource of all, more rich than any typical set of cards, textbooks, or apps, and we should make use of that!
Thus, the more varied your circle of players is, in terms of age, background, and ability level, and the more times you play, the more value you will derive, the more you stand to gain. The replay value of my games is high because you can always think up new things to say that were not said before. It’s not as if you memorize the content of each card and then the deck is useless to you. No! Quite the opposite. One deck could easily last you for years.
Gifts For Language Learners: The Bells And Whistles
Maybe you’re a bit apprehensive to buy one of my games because you’ve received poor quality decks of cards or board games in the mail in the past. I have experienced this myself and I regret it. I think this is because bigger companies often store thousands of games in fulfillment centers for long stretches of time. In those conditions, it’s quite possible the products deteriorate. Another possibility is they get damaged during shipping. In any case, quality control is poor.
If you buy from me, it’s exactly the opposite, as I insist on packaging and shipping each order by hand with the utmost care. That’s part of the reason why I charge higher prices: I pack the order myself, I pack it with love and attention, and I ship expedited, secured, with tracking, with only the best couriers.
If you’re after the bells and whistles this is the place. If you have a special request regarding a hand-written card, the gift wrap color or style, the box color or style, just let me know and I’ll do my best. I can also add in special bobs to make the receiver’s experience even grander: such as card sleeves and deck boxes.
Alright. Sounds Good. But Which Deck Should I Buy?
Language Guardians is probably the best choices for beginning-intermediate language learners or casual gamers. Most customers tend to buy this one. If you can only afford to buy one, go with Language Guardians 3. But if you can spring for it, you can purchase the complete series and save 20%.
Alternatively, I would recommend Heading Into Language Land (2023) as it is truly my latest and greatest game. But this one is maybe more appropriate for people who are into gaming and who have experiences with games. It’s a little bit more of a “roleplaying” type of game that functions similarly to a board game.
I should mention at this point, that if you buy the real deck of Language Guardians or Heading Into Language Land, you will also receive the virtual and printable versions of the game, too. You’re welcome to share those out to any of your family and friends. So that’s an incredible amount of value!
How Quickly Can It Arrive? Shipping Details
I typically ship to any location worldwide, expedited, using DHL. Alternatively, I might use FedEx, UPS, or TNT. Most of these companies tend to deliver in less than one week under normal circumstances, yet I ask that you please wait up to two weeks for your delivery. And, in busy seasons, like the holidays, it is best to order even further in advance. I would recommend ordering 3-4 weeks in advance of the date that you need the gift by.
All orders will have a tracking number and I will keep an eye on them until they get into your hands. If any problems arise with the shipment, I will do my best to solve them.
For customers in the EU, it is likely I will need your taxpayer identification number (TIN) in order to ship to you expedited. If you don’t know your TIN or don’t want to let me know that, I can still ship you your order, but I will have to use an economy shipping service with an estimated shipping time of 2-6 weeks. (Please note: your TIN will not autofill at check out, so you need to input that manually or your order will be delayed as I must contact you to get it.)
If you are taxed on the shipment by customs (which is rare), you can show me the receipt or other relevant evidence and I will reimburse you.
Not Just A Gift, But An Educational Resource
If you’re thinking that what I described above sounds excellent, just wait. It gets even better. Because with the purchase of every single deck of real cards, you earn an invitation to a free, online class with me to learn how to use the game well AND prioritized seating at our online gaming sessions.
On top of that, I run a YouTube channel called Legendary Language Learner, where I regularly post motivational or informational videos on language learning, including interviews with language learning influencers, and also tutorial videos for all of my games.
So you can rest assured that you are in fact not just buying a game or a toy for that special language learner, you are buying something that will support their education and their intellectual advancement, something that will constantly motivate them over time.
A Little About Me
My name is Matthew Boyle. I’m the founder of Language Card Games. I have personally packed and shipped hundreds of language learning card games to over 20 countries since 2016. Countless more virtual and printable decks have been sold over the web. I take great pride and care in what I do. To my mind, the customer experience is the most important thing.
See Me Pack Orders
I have a playlist on my YouTube channel homepage called “Language Card Games Go To…” wherein I show how I pack up orders and where I ship them to. If need more confidence in what I do, just have a look! It’s been a pleasure and a joy to ship hundreds of games since 2016, and I always wish I could hop into the box and travel along with the game, seeing all of the fantastic countries my customers live in!
Summary
If you’re looking for a fresh and innovative product, that can enrich and spice up the study process of a language learner you know, inspiring them to cross from the beginner stage, to intermediate and beyond, look no further than Language Card Games. And, if you’re not sold yet, why not dip your toes in the water? By subscribing on the homepage of this website, you can receive your first printable game for free. No strings attached. Or you could purchase the virtual or printable game you desire most for quite an affordable price in the shop.
Have questions? Please feel free to reach out any time. You can leave a comment under this post, or contact me directly at [email protected].
