Customer Reviews

Behind the Wheel - Spanish 1

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I drive 15 minutes to work and 15 back. I have used this course and improved my Spanish dramatically just by doing what I do 5 days a week. Instead of listening to the radio, I listen to these CDs. It is almost effortless. A native speaker allows you to improve your accent. I took an adult education course recently and by far my accent was the most authentic. It is well organized, even though at times you wonder where he is going. I am so enthralled with this course that as I was finishing part 1 and looking at part 2, I ended up buying both 2 and 3 at the same time. And I am glad I did.

These discs are a lot of fun to fill the time on the commute and it is great to learn such a useful language without effort or having to make time for it.

These are based on early an earlier cassette version, but they are completely updated with additions and more user friendly timing, i.e. longer pause for translations.

Knowing that I wouldn't really have time to sit down and study Spanish at home or on the computer, I was looking for a CD-base program that could make my learning largely happen during my commutes.
I made it through the first 6 CDs before I left for Costa Rica. Ok, I did survive there, and was even identified by locals as the translator on our serving team, but little thanks to this CD program (the pocket dictionary with concise grammar section had a lot more to do with that success!)...
These CDs may work for somebody like me who has already learned a language before and knows how to apply the concepts learned before to the bits and pieces that this program throws at you - but I pity the learner who does not have that prerequisite knowledge.
The program is thoroughly disorganized and jumps around like crazy, rather than teaching a concept sufficiently before moving on to the next.
There are lots of times when just the words are thrown at you without the concept being explained, other times when a concept is explained without examples given to practice the concept.
The learning is very fractured, just for the sake of avoiding to admit that conjugations exist.
Basically all you do is memorize words, without being pointed in the right direction for how to apply what you're learning to other words or sentences.
The only reason I am giving this program 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the extremely useful very first section, which introduces the phrases "I want...", "I have to...", "I like...". That was awesome, but afterwards it really went downhill in usefulness.
The accompanying book is even worse. Not only do the chapters in the book not match up with the learning on the CDs, but the review sections at the end of a chapter are using words and concepts that weren't explained in the chapter or the CDs, so this is new material rather than a review - which is very frustrating for a learner who is trying to apply the concepts learned in this chapter to the exercises. And it fails in little details as well, like the vocabulary sections not being lined up so you could actually cover up one side to practice translating the words.
I don't know if there are any better CD-based programs out there, but this one is too disorganized for my taste.

If, like me, you took Spanish many years ago, wish to relearn it, and have time to devote to it in the car, this product is wonderful. I could not be more pleased that I purchased it, but I did want to review it because I think how perfect it will be for you depends on your needs and expectations.

1. I do find this most useful in the car but less so around the house. I tried using it while I cooked but found I ended up just mindlessly repeating what the speaker was saying without thinking about the words being woven together. My mind was on cooking, not on learning Spanish. It's probably why this is called "Behind the Wheel Spanish" and not "Over the Stove Spanish!"

2. If you've previously studied Spanish in written form - even if it was years ago - I think you'll love these CDs. The course dives right into conversational Spanish, and as the speakers introduce Spanish words, I so clearly "see" the words in my mind and have been delighted to find that I even recall some words before the speaker pronounces them, but I know this only happens compliments of the high school Spanish I learned years ago.

3. If this is your first exposure to Spanish, I think the course will probably still be great, but I think you'll have to hit the accompanying book first. The CDs dive right in and do NOT teach the Spanish alphabet or letter sounds, but they are covered in the accompanying book. There's also a transcript of the CDs at the back of the book, too. Boring, right? NO - fabulous! You can go there and see exactly what the sentences look like in Spanish.

4. The native speakers are terrific, especially Luis. Just the right amount of pause is given for you to practice pronunciations. I like how the reviews are timed and like how the CD tracks are separated for me to easily go back and review certain sections again and again if I feel the need. I have worked on CD 1 for several weeks now (off and on), feel like I've mastered it, and I'm ready to move on.

Sept 09 Update - Surprise! The alphabet is covered on disc 2. Why? I have no idea, but anyway, do yourself a favor and study it first if you haven't seen the Spanish alphabet before now. I'm still really enjoying this program. I can see how some might perceive the program as disorganized because it is a COMPLETELY different approach from a traditional Spanish class - BUT - it gets you saying things, and saying things you understand, very quickly. I think it's fun and challenging, and when it's TOO challenging, I just back up a few tracks and plow thru it again until I get it.

Como esta'?

Muy bien, gracias.

How many who say they do not speak Spanish understand those words? A good many I'd assume, which is a simple example of how familiar Spanish is to many of us. Most will be surprised at the number of English words that are related to Spanish words, thus quickly become a part of our vocabulary.

The ease with which it can be learned was not the only reason I was prompted to try Spanish, but we do live in Texas and have a large Spanish speaking population. Plus, I'm told Spanish is the fastest growing language in the world, and is the official language on four continents.

After just a few hours of listening I realized what a truly beautiful language it is, and how easily pronounced (compared to my forced jousts with French).

Those who have experienced Mark Frobose's method of teaching know just how effective and practical it is - with an emphasis on frequently used vocabulary and a wonderful native speaker to demonstrate proper pronunciation. For us there hasn't been time better spent than with these lessons. Seldom is learning such pleasure.

- Gail Cooke

I have always struggled learning foreign languages, but I have a niece who is being raised bilingually and I want to be able to communicate with her in both of her languages. After just a few sessions with Behind the Wheel Spanish 1, I am able to put together simple sentences. I particularly like that there are English translations throughout the program so I don't have to guess at the meanings of words. The native speaker is easy to understand and there is plenty of time to try repeating the new phrases and vocabulary words on my own.

You better have a healthy background in Spanish before purchasing even Spanish 1. With its strictly "listen, repeat, listen, repeat" method of delivery, this is not an instructional set of CDs. It's more like audio flash cards. Almost no time is spent helping the learner understand why a sentence or question is phrased the way it is. Almost no time is dedicated to discussing conjugation. The CDs simply jump right in. Here's the word. Here's that word in Spanish. Here's the next word. Here's that word in Spanish. Here's a sentence. Here's that sentence in Spanish. Terrible, terrible, terrible approach to teaching. And when other reviewers point out that the lessons are random, that is no exageration. Instead of introducing a verb, for instance, and then using that verb in multiple ways in succession in order to reinforce it, the listener hears it once, and then we're off to something new. Yes, I am still putting my set to use. With a year of college Spanish and a couple of night classes under my belt, I am getting something out it, but there is so much more they could have done with this to make it more effective and even a little fun. One more thing: The presenter's voice is horribly monotone with such little expression, you might want to avoid these CDs if only because they might have you falling asleep at the wheel.

I bought Behind the Wheel - Spanish 1 a few weeks ago as a complete novice without ever having previously studied Spanish. I have a long workday commute so this has been an excellent way to gain a basic understanding of the language, but more importantly, to practice speaking essential phrases to use in common travel, dining, and business settings in Spanish speaking countries.

The first CD quickly dives into learning some basic verbs and vocabulary to allow a learner to communicate common 2 and 3 word phrases which become useful building blocks for the rest of the material. Luis, the native Spanish-speaker from Peru, is outstanding with his enunciation and cadence when sounding out each syllable. The English speaking narrator presents the English phrase and Luis repeats the Spanish translation twice slowly with a break after each phrase so that you can practice.

The audiobook comes with 8 CD's and while a lot of material is covered, there is plenty of review and repetition on each CD. The information builds on itself and by the 4th CD you will be learning how to put together complete 5-8 word sentences for basic situations as mentioned above.

While this is an outstanding value for less than $35 new--there is a reason this series does not cost hundreds of dollars. Were it not for the following flaws, I would have given the product 5 stars. For a few phrases, the speaker is inconsistent in translation and if you are paying attention you will notice. This appears to be derived and republished from an older audiobook so there are a few overdubs in places. 98% of the material is spoken by Luis who is fantasic, but the other 2% is spoken by a woman who falls into the stereotypical female Latin TV spokesperson. Her phrases are rattled off so quickly and the syllables so slurred that if you are new to Spanish you will not be able to understand any of it. Fortunately, she was used very little for this Edition.

Overall, this product is an outstanding way to begin your journey in learning Spanish. I have no hesitation in giving it 4 stars and recommending it.

What I liked about this program is how enjoyable it was. I've always wanted to learn Spanish, but I just kept putting it off because I thought it was going to be really hard and intimidating. Recently, I heard someone recommending Behind the Wheel programs, so I gave this one a try, and it was great!

It starts out really simple, with basic vocabulary and sentence structure, and always provides an English translation- after just a day of learning in the car while running errands, I was able to try out a couple of new sentences on my Spanish-speaking friend. She was amazed at how comfortable and confidant I seemed after just one day, and the rest of the program built on that. This program didn't make me fluent, but it definitely gave me the basics I needed to communicate comfortably about my everyday needs. I can't wait to try out Behind the Wheel Spanish 2 & 3, and maybe I'll try a new language after I master Spanish.

The first thing this course does is give you phrases and sentences to memorize. I have a great deal of trouble learning by memorization. I prefer the Pimsleur method, in which you're told the meanings of the words and a brief explanation as to why they're put in that particular order. I learn by understanding what I'm saying rather than memorizing sounds.

If you prefer the memorization method, then you'll probably like this course. The speakers are very clear and the pacing seems about right (not too fast or too slow.) If you're like me, however, you should look for a course based on the Pimsleur method.