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| "Learn Spanish" Software Reviews 2005 Listed in order of rating |
| ARTICLES |
| Spanish Feature Definitions. |
| Why Should I Learn Another Language? |
| Why Should I learn Spanish? |
| When Should a Child Learn Another Language? |
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Slang and Idioms.
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| BOOKS |
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Spanish Audiotapes
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Learn Spanish Books
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Spanish DVDs
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| Learn Spanish Review Report Terms and Definitions | ||
| Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site; some are easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Spanish learning software. |
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| RATINGS | ||
| Feature Set | ||
| Does the software have a lot of bells and whistles? The list of the software's attributes--often printed on the outside of the box--is called the feature set. | ||
| Ease of Use | ||
| Simplicity is the most important feature that we at Learn Spanish Review evaluate. Is the software easy for beginners and experienced computer users alike? | ||
| Ease of Installation & Setup | ||
| How simple is the software to install and use on your computer? Are additional downloads necessary before you can use the software? Do errors pop up during the installation? Is help available easily? | ||
| Help/Documentation | ||
| Is help/support convenient to find, intuitively organized and easy to search? Is the documentation well written and relevant to your needs? Do tutorials to explain difficult concepts or options? Is live telephone or online technical support available? Is the staff knowledgeable? | ||
| Fundamentals | ||
| Does the software teach you to read and write in Spanish? What about comprehension? Does the program help you expand your vocabulary and improve your pronunciation? Does this language software teach you correct Spanish grammar for your level? Is Spanish culture addressed? | ||
| Effectiveness | ||
| Does the product keep its promises? Using it, do you learn Spanish? | ||
| FEATURES | ||
| Beginner | ||
| This term refers to anyone just starting to learn the Spanish language-for example, someone who has had a Spanish course in junior high school. A beginner should be able to recognize spoken Spanish, identify occasional words, but may not be able to converse. | ||
| Intermediate | ||
| This term refers to anyone who has been exposed to Spanish though high school courses, a Spanish-speaking family member or even through a short stay in a Spanish speaking community. Intermediate level students should be able to converse in basic Spanish. | ||
| Advanced | ||
| This level refers to individuals who have a firm grasp of the Spanish language. Advanced students have made an in-depth study Spanish and have honed their command of the language. An advanced student can communicate easily and with confidence in an every day situation. | ||
| Personal Progress Tracking | ||
| This feature tracks and illustrates you how far you have come since you began using the program. | ||
| Personalized Learning Paths | ||
| This feature allows you to customize the way you learn. The program can be customized-you can learn what you want at your own pace. Most software will also advice you about which learning paths meet your needs best. | ||
| Speech Recognition | ||
| Speech recognition technology recognizes what you say, assesses your pronunciation and corrects your mistakes. It also pinpoints and highlights mispronounced words within individual sentences. | ||
| Listening Comprehension | ||
| This feature helps you gauge how well you can understand conversations, phrases and even songs in Spanish. | ||
| Reading | ||
| The Spanish Reading section of the software allows you to develop your reading skills through the use of graphics, newspapers, cartoons and word processing documents. | ||
| Writing | ||
| This section allows you to type in Spanish; the software corrects and judges your writing skills. The best software offers the Spanish writer an easy, fast way to insert required Spanish accent marks. | ||
| Vocabulary | ||
| Vocabulary builders allow you to increase your Spanish vocabulary through games, exercises, flash card practice and other learning devices. | ||
| Grammar | ||
| This section of the software allows the learner an in-depth study on sentence structure, verb conjugation and the other Spanish language grammar basics. | ||
| Conversation Practice | ||
| This tool allows you to communicate directly with a Spanish speaker (real or computer simulated) through the Internet or other methods. | ||
| Lessons/ Programs | ||
| How many lessons are available with the software? How many skill levels are included? Does the software include programs and tools that cover all the basics: reading, writing, speaking, comprehension, conversation, grammar and culture? | ||
| Hours of Material | ||
| Approximately how many hours of material are included with the program? | ||
| Books | ||
| Are any books included with the software package? | ||
| Videos | ||
| Does the software package take advantage of computer video software? Does it include built-in videos or come with additional videos? | ||
| Images | ||
| How many pictures are available with the program to aid your study of Spanish culture and other aspects of the language? | ||
| Audiotapes | ||
| Are there audiotapes included with the software? | ||
| Word Processing Converter | ||
| This tool allows you to type a word or phrase in either Spanish or English, and then will translate it into the opposite language for you. | ||
| Word and Root Search | ||
| This feature is a search tool that will allow you to look up conjugated verbs.
An example of a conjugated verb in English is the verb "to go." This verb can be conjugated in present tense: I go, you go, he goes, we go, they go; in past tense: I went, you went, he went, we went, they went; or in the future tense: I will go, you will go, he will go, we will go, they will go. In Spanish, to conjugate the verb "I go" would be "VOY." This verb is a root of the word "IR." Conjugated Spanish verbs often don't resemble the root. Being able to look them both up to identify the relationship is an asset. |
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| Glossary | ||
| A glossary is an alphabetical list of words and their meanings or interpretations (glosses) in a various contexts. In the translation industry, a glossary refers to a bilingual or multilingual terminology list; this is often confused with a translation dictionary. | ||
| Dictionary | ||
| A dictionary is a tool that defines the terms of a language. The terms are arranged in alphabetical order. Usually, a language dictionary will give the spelling, pronunciation, and meaning for each word. | ||
| Crossword Puzzles | ||
| A puzzle in which words correspond to numbered clues. Answers are written into squares of the puzzle. Crossword puzzles are fun diversions that provide mental exercise in any language. | ||
| Games | ||
| Does the software allow you to have fun with various games as you learn? | ||
| Flashcards | ||
| This learning style shows you screens with words, numbers or pictures in quick succession so that you can practice recognition. | ||
| Record Playback and Compare | ||
| This feature allows you to record what you say then compare your pronunciation with that of a native speaker. Or, you can compare your current speech to your own past recordings to check for improvement. | ||
| Online Testing | ||
| This feature allows you to take online tests so that you can compare your abilities with those of other students. | ||
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101 Languages, Habla Espanol, I Can Speak Spanish, Instant Immersion, Instant Immersion Deluxe, Learn to Speak Deluxe, Learn to Speak Essentials, Panoramic, Musical Spanish, Rosetta Stone, Learn Spanish Now, Spanish Learning Suite, SpanishNow! Deluxe, TeachMe! Spanish, Tell Me More Premium, Unforgettable Languages, have all been reviewed with the latest versions of Spanish Learning Software.
A side-by-side Learn Spanish software comparison is available on the Homepage.
Looking for reviews on other software categories or products? Visit www.toptenreviews.com
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