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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Boomhauer on October 24, 2007, 03:34:11 AM

Title: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: Boomhauer on October 24, 2007, 03:34:11 AM

What are some good programs that I can get to help me learn Spanish for my college classes?

Title: Re: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: CAnnoneer on October 24, 2007, 05:47:42 AM

I have seen the Rosetta Stone Co. heavily advertising such products for many languages, but don't know how effective the products are.

Title: Re: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: Azrael256 on October 24, 2007, 05:50:38 AM

Nothing, pretty much.

If there's something available from the publisher of your textbook, it would probably help.

Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, etc. aren't going to help in a college class. 

Title: Re: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: Devonai on October 24, 2007, 06:28:01 AM

If you're taking a college course anyway, Rosetta Stone will be a waste of money.  The program works by visual association and builds vocabulary while showing you how the words fit together.  For example (in French), the program will show you a cardboard box and a voice says "Boite."  Then the program will show you a cat and say "Chat.  Il s'appelle Clotide."  Then the cat will be shown inside, on top of, next to, and behind the box, and the program will say "Clotide est sur le boite, Clotide est dans le boite, Clotide est a cote du boite," et cetera.

With repetition you should be able to infer the meaning of all the articles, and with time you might even figure out that "de le" is abbreviated as "du.," and basic stuff like that.  Next to a college course, therefore, it is a waste of money.

Title: Re: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: Len Budney on October 24, 2007, 07:10:39 AM

Check out Livemocha. It has some "lessons," but more importantly it hooks you up with speakers for practice.

--Len.

Title: Re: Spanish Computer Program
Post by: yesitsloaded on October 24, 2007, 06:36:47 PM

Buy the Dora the Explorer game.