A+ Spanish

Rating:
Summary: On line software
Review: BEWARE.. This is an online software program..If you don't have DSL buy something else.

Rating:
Summary: It doesn't work
Review: I can't get this CD to work with Windows XP. There's no sound and no video. I tried the technical support on Transparent Language's website but their solution didn't work either.

Rating:
Summary: It doesn't work
Review: I can't get this CD to work with Windows XP. There's no sound and no video. I tried the technical support on Transparent Language's website but their solution didn't work either.

Rating:
Summary: Softward needs to be upgraded
Review: I like the contents of the A+ Spanish wordwise; however, the mechanics of this program doesn't work to well. In fact before I purchased German Now 9 (I have German Now 8, Spanish Now 8, and A+ German.) the special features ran somewhat, now only the written, the pronunciation and flash cards part of this program works. I have Windows Me. Perhaps if Transparent Language would update like they did with German Now 9, it would work better on the more recent Windows. Depending what computer system you have, I would recommend buying it.

Rating:
Summary: Softward needs to be upgraded
Review: I like the contents of the A+ Spanish wordwise; however, the mechanics of this program doesn't work to well. In fact before I purchased German Now 9 (I have German Now 8, Spanish Now 8, and A+ German.) the special features ran somewhat, now only the written, the pronunciation and flash cards part of this program works. I have Windows Me. Perhaps if Transparent Language would update like they did with German Now 9, it would work better on the more recent Windows. Depending what computer system you have, I would recommend buying it.

Rating:
Summary: NOT on-line software
Review: This CD will interface with the company's web-site for on-line exams, but it is NOT an on-line program. I did notice that the written alphbet pronounciation guide is different from the pronounciation of the speaker on the CD, noticably for LL, j, g and y. I don't know which is correct, and wonder if there may be other errors. Still, for [the money] you can't really go wrong.

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Summary: This is the way to learn a language
Review: To learn Spanish, "A+ Spanish" is a better program to begin with than the program "Learn Spanish Now", both published by the company Transparent Language. It is better because instead of just memorizing phrases, it taught me the language in a step-by-step way: with words, phrases and short, simple sentences, all accompanied by grammar. Through the grammar that I learned, I am able to create sentences on my own, instead of just spouting memorized phrases, which is what I basically ended up doing in the "Learn Spanish Now" program. Yet, the "Learn Spanish Now" program, which I consider a program for advanced speakers, does comes in handy for me now that I understand Spanish better grammtically thanks to the A+ program. In "A+ Spanish", not all verb tenses are covered, but many of the most important ones are. Sometimes you are referred to a part of the program called "Grammar Basics", which contains a more in-depth coverage of grammar -- this isn't much of a hassle since you can just keep that part open in another window, but my preference would have been to just have all the grammar discussed in the main part of the program. Like "Learn Spanish Now", "A+ Spanish" has many features: a pronunciation guide of the various sounds of Spanish based around the alphabet, a 10,000+ vocabulary, electronic flashcards, optional slow sound so that you can hear pronunciations more easily, conversation practice, on-line quizes, games and other things. All these features give you extra practice and thus enable you to better learn the language. The only thing this program leaves out is some advanced grammar, but considering that the program is intended for beginners I can't blame the programmers too much. All in all it's a very good program.