Learn To Speak Spanish 8.1

by PC Computer Software

Product 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

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• ASIN: B00005TQ1F
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 25, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,514 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

Product Description

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Product, July 8, 2002

By 

Benoit Courbin (Key Biscayne, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn To Speak Spanish 8.1 (CD-ROM)

The program makes you fly through the language and makes it a breeze to learn spanish. It covers everything from basics to advanced materials. The voice recognition is GREAT! It really gives you a good idea of what you sound like and how it compares to native speakers.The only tricky part is the dictionnary, which i don't think is very usefull.
Anyhow for the price it's a good buy, won't be disappointed!!

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Does NOT run on Windows XP, September 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Learn To Speak Spanish 8.1 (CD-ROM)

I bought this from another source, and so was less informed at the time about what this program works with -- I can't evaluate it for quality, but you'll notice that Windows XP is not a listed operating system, and for good reason: installating and attempting to run this program so fouled up my XP computer I had to do a system restore.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to learn Spanish, February 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Learn To Speak Spanish 8.1 (CD-ROM)

I already have some basics in Spanish, but after taking the pre-test I learned that I overestimated my Spanish skills alot. So far, this software has been great. There are alot of exercises and drills. The cultural movies are so so. The speech recognition is easy to use and understand though and the conversation feature is kind of cool also.