Teach Yourself Spanish Conversation (3CDs + Guide) (Teach Yourself Language) [Paperback]

Juan Kattan Ibarra (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071456546 | ISBN-13: 978-0071456548 | Publication Date: July 18, 2005 | Edition: 1

A lively, practical way to develop and improve basic foreign language skills

This new, audio-based language series from Teach Yourself is an entertaining, nonintimidating way for beginners to build conversational proficiency. Each course covers 10 key situations—from greetings and buying food and drink to shopping, asking for directions, and visiting locals—and includes two conversations per topic. The explanations and instructions are simple and bite-size, making this a very accessible program.

Each audiopackage:

• Builds confidence through a variety of listening exercises, from repetition of foreign language prompts to replying to English prompts
• Covers structures, useful phrases, and strategies for holding two-way conversations
• Lets learners assess their progress with specific objectives and review sections
• Includes a 48-page guide with key words and conversations in written form for reference

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am a big fan of this series. Commercial packaging, simple concept and a competitive price make these well worth trying...One to watch." -- The Bookseller 20050429 'Ideal for the absolute beginner.' -- Outdoor Pursuits magazine 20050701 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Angela Howkins is a lecturer in Spanish at the university level.

Juan Kattan-Ibarra is an exeperinced teacher of Spanish.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071456546
• ISBN-13: 978-0071456548
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars teach yourself spanish audio sample, June 3, 2005

By 

Stephen Mueller (the great white north, same as you) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself Spanish Conversation (3CDs + Guide) (Teach Yourself Language) (Paperback)

The quality of the English speaker was terrible. The combination of terrible, non-clear enunciation was further hampered by distracting background noise. I know some Spanish from high school. I was hoping to improve on my skill with this CD but I was disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for what it does, April 3, 2010

By 

Alain (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teach Yourself Spanish Conversation (3CDs + Guide) (Teach Yourself Language) (Paperback)

Unlike the other reviewer, the audio quality on my CDs is fine. Played on my laptop speakers, the audio isn't the clearest, but when I played them on my stereo, I couldn't find any fault with the quality of the recording. The background noises are minimal. The only thing I really didn't like were the bits of Spanish-sounding music at the start of every track - and since the average track is about a minute long, you'll hear the same guitar lick over and over in a single session. That, however, isn't a fault just with this set - the other TY Conversations sets I own also have annoying music.

I enjoy working with these CDs, but I wouldn't use them alone. The course doesn't promise much - just the ability to converse in and understand very basic situations - but used in conjunction with other materials, it's a great addition to the learning process. Each unit has two conversations, and you can get through a unit in about ten minutes.

The only other fault I can find is that I don't like the English in the Over to You sections - the parts when you partake in the conversation. Instead of allowing the conversation to flow, every sentence you are expected to say is prompted in English. If the next edition eliminated the music and the English prompts, I'd probably give it five stars.

FYI: There are new editions of TY Conversation available now. They're called Teach Yourself Speak (Language) With Confidence. I own the French set but have yet to try it.