Binding: CD-ROM EAN: 0772040814182 ESRB Age Rating: Everyone Format: CD Label: ENCORE / RIVERDEEP Manufacturer: ENCORE / RIVERDEEP Publisher: ENCORE / RIVERDEEP Sales Rank: 7046 Studio: ENCORE / RIVERDEEP
Features:
A world of language learning tools come to your desktop, for better skill at speaking, reading, writ
It features 4 complete language courses, totaling over 100 exercises in all
Record and playback your speaking voice, to compare your pronunciation skills to native Spanish spea
Interactive conversations help you learn through use of cutting-edge speech recognition technology
Watch video clips that introduce elements of Spanish culture, broadening your knowledge and enhancin
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Review: There are so many language-learning programs available that it's hard to know where to begin when choosing one. Many are so similar that you need to carefully review and compare even the smallest options in each to tell the difference. Learn to Speak Spanish doesn't stand out above similar programs, but it does have certain features that make it as desirable as its competitors.
Learn to Speak Spanish comes with a workbook to assist the student in following the course from beginning to advanced level. It also includes a placement test at the beginning of the program, saving users who already know how to count or recite basic phrases a ton of time.
As we see it, Learn to Speak Spanish has two drawbacks. First, while the program includes speech-recognition technology, the instructions on installing the microphone (which is not included and must be purchased separately) are difficult to find and not at all easy to follow. Learn to Speak Spanish has a smart pronunciation meter that measures your skill from tourist to native, but getting to a place where you can use it is a challenge.
The second drawback is that the overall user experience is rather dry. The narrators and instructors have no life to them, and there is nothing built into the program--such as music or animation--to make it fun. Users can watch the movies for cultural lessons, but the courses for learning vocabulary and grammar are far from attention-grabbing. For this reason, Learn to Speak Spanish seems better suited to an older, more serious user, perhaps someone who has a vested interest in learning Spanish and is excited to learn it for its own sake, rather than excited about a fun computer program.
Overall, Learn to Speak Spanish accomplishes all of the goals one might be looking for in a language-learning program. Users will learn pronunciation, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills. It has useful features such as speech-recognition technology, voice recording and playback, dictionaries, cultural programs, and Internet resources. Learn to Speak Spanish is an affordable and effective--if somewhat uninspired--choice in the world of language-learning software. --Kendra Hayden
Amazon.com Product Description: Build your fluency in Spanish using this feature-rich five-CD collection. Learn to Speak Spanish's 100 lessons and adjustable study plan expand your Spanish vocabulary and perfect your pronunciation. Choose from a variety of instructional features, including cultural video clips and a talking dictionary. Learn to Speak's voice recording, playback tools, and speech recognition technology let you practice your Spanish, develop your ear, and hone your pronunciation. A conversational CD completes the collection, adding a final polish to your newly acquired abilities.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - So far so good - it does work under Windows XP
I've used this software for a couple of days now and so far so good. I have XP Pro with SP2 and the software installed without any problem. After reading the reviews here, I did some searching for Broderbund's Tech Support. Although the box says it's made by TLC, Broderbund is where you find the tech support. It's true that's not shown right on their website. Due to Amazon's restrictions, I'm not posting the url but it CAN be found by just doing a search on google for 'broderbund tech support'. It's the first hit you get. I gave this 4 stars because you only get web support on this version. I've seen other software companies that at least give you user support on the current version and the last version. The current version is 9.
I do like the setup of the software - you can setup multiple users on the software if more than one family member wants to use it and it keeps up with your progress. There's a pretest to determine where you should start. The speak recognition technology has worked fine so far. Your pronounciation is rated in relation to native speakers. You can learn the language for Everyday, Business or Travel use. For those reviewers who said the speak recognition part doesn't seem to work, there is a setting under Customization for the software to rate your speaking under Easy, Medium or Hard. There's plenty of help available for speaking practice as well as learning the grammar.
So far, I'm very happy with the software. I'll update my review after I get farther along. Since Amazon doesn't carry this, you can try the other vendors here or go on Ebay. That's where I found mine, brand new and cheap.
Rating: - Learn to speak Spanish
I purchased this course & halfway through the CD started playing up,skipping parts & duplicating others.I returned the CD to TLC in Crawley in Sussex & haven't heard zilch.No answers to phone calls or e-mails.Now I have a manual,a program in my computer that requires a CD before it will open & no CD.My advice is STAY WELL CLEAR of The Learning Company & don't waste your money as I have done(or should it be as I have been DONE)
Bill Gardner
Rating: - Yes, I got what I paid for
Because when I bought this software, I paid $74. Now most Spanish lessons on CD-ROMs avereage $30, so I don't put too much stock in the value of a package, rather what it does for me. The Learn To Speak Spanish is so far my favorite. While others provide cartoons of humans, I learn from looking at a moving human speaking directly to me. Using this software, I went to Malaga Spain and was able to communicate.
I still need it to communicate in New York where I live. N. America is becoming an English/Spanish-speaking country and using this software in conjunction with others helps me to communicate daily in the U.S.A.
Rating: - Garbage on a CD
One of the poorest quality software products ever shipped. Did they test this before releasing it?
The program routinely locks up, requiring you to restart your computer. Who knows what the program is like...you can't even get it to run long enough to find out.
Useless...oh well, maybe I can use the CD for a small frisbee.
Rating: - You only get part of what you pay for
With other reviewers I agree that the nonexistent Internet portion of the program is deceptively advertised. Furthermore, on my copy, only some of the lessons have functioning video and audio clips, rendering the final conversation practice in each lesson inoperable too. You can still learn some vocabulary, and take the very simple grammar tests, but that's all.
On the whole, a very disappointing program. I don't recommend it for buyers who expect to advance beyond the most basic level.
- So far so good - it does work under Windows XP
- Garbage on a CD
