Instant Immersion Language Lab (8 CD-ROM)

by TOPICS Entertainment

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TTU5
• Item model number: CS039
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 19, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,297 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Instant Immersion Language Lab includes eight full language-learning CD-ROMs in one package. The Talk Now! series is designed for beginners who want to start learning a new language as soon as possible. By hearing and practicing authentic everyday speech, your natural language ability will develop. The World Talk programs take you to the next stage, offering added dictation, new activities, and a recording section. Topics covered include "the calendar," building sentences, asking directions, and using numbers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

191 of 192 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Talk Now' and 'World Talk' deliver as stated, October 29, 2000

By 

Amy Aanrud (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Immersion Language Lab (8 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

If you want a program to teach you how to speak the basics in a fast, fun, simple way, this would be a good one. If you want a program that will teach you as if you were taught in school, including grammar, writing, and verb conjugation(I did, she saw, we went, etc.), you will probably be disappointed. This program gives you two CD-ROM's per language, one for basics, one for intermediate level learning. The first CD, "Talk Now" gives you excercises in foods, colors, phrases, body parts, numbers, time, shopping, and countries. Under each heading, you play two word games, record yourself speaking and compare it to native speakers(your computer needs a microphone to do this), print vocabulary flash cards, and play a "Memory"-style game with the words you learned. They work on the premise that people remember things better if they've learned in fun situations. Though a bit cheesy at times, it _is_ fun, and you _will_ build your basic vocabulary. The second CD jumps more to full sentences, listening skills, identification, and writing dictation, all still in game-like form. It's a bit of a leap in knowlege, and can be a bit frustrating, but it's a good start for 'learning by listening', much as you would if you were struggling in the actual country, only without making a fool of yourself. At this level, if you have never been exposed to the language, the help/? icon becomes your best friend. Still little in grammar and verb forms, though. To get the most out of it, I would also recommend purchasing a pocket dictionary of the language(s), and maybe even one of those "500 [the language] Verbs" books, so you can actually have a better understanding of your vocabulary and how to form sentences. Overall, these programs are fun & effective as a means of learning to speak, by yourself (or with a friend), on your own time.

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Software at an Affordable Price!, October 29, 2000

By 

Emily D. Agunod (East Coast United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Immersion Language Lab (8 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

My kids had expressed an interest in learnig a foreign language and I was curious about the "immersion method" so I got this software. Each language has 2 CDs. "Talk Now!" deals with basic words, much like how we learned English in grade school. Spelling in English and chosen language is provided. The kids like the format because it is presented in a game show fashion. The other CD "World Talk" is more advanced, using conversational sentences which beginners would not understand if you haven't picked up some elementary words. It does give out clues but no translation in English. Pros: This program will teach you how to speak by repetition and visual recognition of objects and is excellent for beginners. You can also print out a picture dictionary and exercises and record your voice. Cons: No explanation of pronounciation, grammar, or spelling. Same words and graphics for all four languages. Overall, a great program with no glitches, entertaining, and excellent introduction to foreign language.

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One for beginners and one for moderate/advanced, October 28, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant Immersion Language Lab (8 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

Eight CD's with 2 CD's for each of the four languages, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. This is a great deal, seeing that buying the equivalent programs would be over .... The TALK NOW! (1 of 2 for each language) CD's are great for beginners and extremely fun. This was a great review for me, because my foreign language skills were a bit rusty. This is great for beginners who want to learn helpful phrases and be able to recognize objects in a different language. The WORLD TALK CD's (2 of 2 for each language) is rather difficult to work with if you aren't moderately able to speak or understand the specific language. This course jumps from TALK NOW!, which is partly in English, to nothing but French, except for the help menu that rarely offers much of what the title would suggest. Regardless of the rather quick jump from one to the other, this package is still a great deal and a great program. I would suggest it for anyone who wants to bone up on one of the four (4) Foreign Languages, or if they want to begin learning one.