Features:
- A world of language learning tools come to your desktop, for better skill at speaking, reading, writing, and grammar
- 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 speakers
- 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 enhancing your cultural knowledge
Description:
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
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