Description:
Learn to Speak Spanish: Deluxe Traveler's Edition is a mighty impressive language learning package. Featuring a four-disc CD-ROM software set, a desktop microphone for use with the software, a practice audio CD, a 90-minute interactive DVD that's viewable on a standard video DVD player, and the complete, 688-page Fodor's Mexico 2002, this comprehensive program contains virtually all you need to become a competent Spanish speaker and Mexican traveler. The software has some unusually helpful features, like a "pronunciation gauge," which compares your own pronunciation to that of a native speaker. The scoring tended to be generous (we rated "native" on our first try and never hit "tourist" unless we were deliberately trying to mangle a word) but still was entertaining--and motivating for those who have the urge to compete with themselves. The program also tests your reading comprehension by letting you respond to written questions verbally, using voice recognition, the effect being that you answer just as you would in a classroom. Almost everything here talks--every new page has a talking introduction (these can be switched off), words can be clicked on for pronunciation, and there's even a talking dictionary. You may want some privacy, because even if you use headphones, you'll be talking often enough to annoy the people around you. Installation of the software is a breeze compared to the mind-bending task of assembling the microphone, which comes in several pieces and resembles a Chinese puzzle. We found that some of the various Internet links were no longer functioning, and the program crashed once during our test. Nevertheless, we were very pleased with this package overall. We enjoyed using it and would recommend it as a friendly approach to learning the basics of Spanish. --Peter Moksha
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