If you are learning a second language like Spanish, there are basically two method you can employ. You can learn the language in a country where it is spoken - the so called immersion methods. Or you can stay at home and learn it through traditional or self study home courses.
Both approaches have their good and bad points. The immediate bad point of going to another country to learn a language is the extra cost in terms of time and money. This is not practical for many people that have a job or financial commitments in their own country.
In fact it is not really a convenient option by comparison to a home study course but it is widely regarded as the best way to learn a language. This is obvious, as you are exposed to the language you are choosing to learn all the time.
Using a home study course is not as expensive and you can fit it into any kind of lifestyle but it probably won't be as effective because you don't get the same type or level of exposure to the language as you would with immersion. With this said, a home study course can teach you some of the basics of a language.
So if you are motivated and determined to learn Spanish, a good self study course can help you reach a capable conversational Spanish level. It can help you when you go on vacation in a Spanish speaking country or maybe even come in handy when you have business involving speaking Spanish.
So here are a few home study learn Spanish computer programs that may help you reach your Spanish language goals.
Visual Link Spanish
This is a good learn Spanish computer program. It uses multi media to gets it's point across. So a word or action is represented by a graphical figure or character doing the action/ representing the word. I also like the way it simplifies the sentence structure so that you can be saying reasonably useful sentences within about 5 minutes of using the program. In fact this is their catchphrase or byline on the product - that you will be speaking complete Spanish sentences in five minutes. Of course it gets more complicated as the grammar becomes more complex but it is a good program.
Rocket Spanish
Rocket Spanish is a learn Spanish program that has had many favorable reviews. It sets itself apart from most course because it can be downloaded over the internet. You can be using it 30 minutes after purchase rather than waiting for 2 weeks to get your course through the mail. In terms of content, it uses a number of methods to teach. It has an audio mp3 course that you can take on your travels or listen at home. On the computer side, it has two word games that help you learn vocabulary and comprehension. It also has an interactive pdf course that goes through all the grammar and much of the vocabulary you will need to be conversationally fluent. You can even print out some flash cards that it supplies if you want to play games against other people. You can sign up for a free six day course to get a feel for the Rocket Spanish program.
Before You Know It
Before You Know It uses simple phrases as the building blocks of language much like visual link. The computer program allows you to learn Spanish using sight and sound. It also has a feature to record your accent when speaking and play it back against a native speaker. This can be useful to hone your accent although I have never really liked these kinds of features. You also need to get a microphone. There is also a "lite" version of the program that can be downloaded for free. It shows you how the program works with a few of the introductory lessons. You can get a feel for the program and whether it would suit your learning style. Then you can upgrade to the paid version.
all of these programs can help you get to a capable level of Spanish, but they are only as good as the person using them. You have to use them often and work at your Spanish language skills.
Both approaches have their good and bad points. The immediate bad point of going to another country to learn a language is the extra cost in terms of time and money. This is not practical for many people that have a job or financial commitments in their own country.
In fact it is not really a convenient option by comparison to a home study course but it is widely regarded as the best way to learn a language. This is obvious, as you are exposed to the language you are choosing to learn all the time.
Using a home study course is not as expensive and you can fit it into any kind of lifestyle but it probably won't be as effective because you don't get the same type or level of exposure to the language as you would with immersion. With this said, a home study course can teach you some of the basics of a language.
So if you are motivated and determined to learn Spanish, a good self study course can help you reach a capable conversational Spanish level. It can help you when you go on vacation in a Spanish speaking country or maybe even come in handy when you have business involving speaking Spanish.
So here are a few home study learn Spanish computer programs that may help you reach your Spanish language goals.
Visual Link Spanish
This is a good learn Spanish computer program. It uses multi media to gets it's point across. So a word or action is represented by a graphical figure or character doing the action/ representing the word. I also like the way it simplifies the sentence structure so that you can be saying reasonably useful sentences within about 5 minutes of using the program. In fact this is their catchphrase or byline on the product - that you will be speaking complete Spanish sentences in five minutes. Of course it gets more complicated as the grammar becomes more complex but it is a good program.
Rocket Spanish
Rocket Spanish is a learn Spanish program that has had many favorable reviews. It sets itself apart from most course because it can be downloaded over the internet. You can be using it 30 minutes after purchase rather than waiting for 2 weeks to get your course through the mail. In terms of content, it uses a number of methods to teach. It has an audio mp3 course that you can take on your travels or listen at home. On the computer side, it has two word games that help you learn vocabulary and comprehension. It also has an interactive pdf course that goes through all the grammar and much of the vocabulary you will need to be conversationally fluent. You can even print out some flash cards that it supplies if you want to play games against other people. You can sign up for a free six day course to get a feel for the Rocket Spanish program.
Before You Know It
Before You Know It uses simple phrases as the building blocks of language much like visual link. The computer program allows you to learn Spanish using sight and sound. It also has a feature to record your accent when speaking and play it back against a native speaker. This can be useful to hone your accent although I have never really liked these kinds of features. You also need to get a microphone. There is also a "lite" version of the program that can be downloaded for free. It shows you how the program works with a few of the introductory lessons. You can get a feel for the program and whether it would suit your learning style. Then you can upgrade to the paid version.
all of these programs can help you get to a capable level of Spanish, but they are only as good as the person using them. You have to use them often and work at your Spanish language skills.
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