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Get
Into Spanish is apparently the ultimate interactive learning experience
from the BBC. It certainly seemed to be that way; the language pack
contains 2 PC CD-ROMs, a book, audio CDs and access to online learning
resources.
The CD-ROM is
the main part of the course. It has two CD-ROMs, with CD1 being
the installation CD and CD2 being the language course. The CD-ROM
has eight language units which include animated dialogue, interactive
activities and learning support which gives you the opportunity
to listen, speak, read and write the language. You have to download
the program onto your hard drive and this took my computer around
10 minutes to complete which isn't very long at all (since it's
three programs altogether) and while you are waiting for this to
load up it is the perfect opportunity to have a flick through the
book.
Once the CD-ROM is loaded you can create a character which will
be you in the program. You can choose your hair colour and clothes,
and all this helps you to really feel like you are involved in the
course and that it has been made just for you. The CD-ROM is easy
to use and pretty self explanatory but there is a "how to use
this CD-ROM" section just in case.
You can choose which areas you would like to learn through navigation
via a map of the town. You click on the different places to take
part in the different role plays, for example, I clicked on the
hotel and took part in role plays about checking in/out, booking
a room and making a complaint. You can choose to learn some things
about the situation first such as vocabulary, or you can enter straight
into the "have a go" section. The "have a go"
section is listening to the Spanish speaker and then recording your
answer. In this way, you can interact with the program and compare
your answer to that of a Spanish speaker. This helps as you can
hear what words you are pronouncing correctly or incorrectly and
it gives you an incentive to improve. You can also choose to "zoom
in" on certain areas of the screen. I clicked on a price list
on the wall which was then enlarged for me and I could then choose
to translate the text. This is a fab way of learning new vocab and
it's not forced upon you, which makes you want to learn even more.
The only
thing that was annoying with this CD-ROM was that you needed a microphone
to be able to complete the role plays. If you haven't got one built
into your computer or laptop, then you are advised to buy one which
would cost even more money on top of the course. But the CD-ROM
does have a wow factor and personally I absolutely loved it. The
BBC really have found a fun way of learning a language and have
made it very modern and funky. It felt like I was playing a computer
game like "The Sims" rather than actually doing something
educational.
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You
can choose your own hair colour and clothes for your character
in the course. It felt like I was playing a computer game
like The Sims rather than actually doing something educational.
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The Get
Into Spanish book is designed to help you to refresh and revise
the Spanish already learnt on the CD-ROM. It has 10 units and covers
the GCSE areas of the language such as eating and drinking and asking
for directions. The book is a handy size which meant it was easy
for me to carry in my bag and read on the bus. I found it very useful
that it was a standalone book so you didn't have to sit and do the
CD-ROM at the same time.
The book has 10 units and each is loosely connected to the CD-ROM.
In each unit you have a CD-ROM box section (there's a little picture
of a CD-ROM so very straightforward to know when to refer to the
CD-ROM if you need to), then there's the cultural rule bit, where
they tell you when to use certain tenses, pronouns etc; for me this
was a plus to this language course as the last thing I would want
to do in Spain is be rude to someone within the first hour of arriving.
You also have a key vocabulary box which makes it easier. The book
is very interactive and gives you exercises to complete. This is
a good way of getting people to practise what they have learnt.
I don't know about you, but when I read a book and there is nothing
interesting to do I often don't take in what I have learnt. This
book allows me to practise my newly learnt Spanish and helps me
to remember what I have learnt.
At the back of the book, there is a grammar section with basic-intermediate
grammar information. I found this great as when I learn a language,
grammar is the hardest part for me to learn as its boring (at least
I'm being honest!). But with this book, all the grammar is laid
out in small chunks and it doesn't go into too much depth and so
is not boring to look at and learn. Throughout the book there are
'have a go' sections and luckily the book provides the answers at
the end. In the past I have had to buy answer books to accompany
certain language learning courses, so this way I can see if I have
got it right without having to buy a whole new separate book.
Finally, the
audio CD is a way to develop your listening skills and improve your
level of learning. As usual, you have the token English tourist
trying to find their way around the town. This time it is a British
web designer called Simon who travels to Alicante.
The audio CD comes with a separate book where all the conversations
are written down, so if you so find it hard you can look at the
words as they are being said. At first it is hard to concentrate
especially when Simon's London accent comes out when he speaks Spanish
but after the first couple of sentences you get used to it. The
speed of the Spanish is at a level where if you are a beginner and
have completed the other parts of the course you will have no trouble
understanding it. This is also good for people who have previously
done Spanish and want to refresh it.
The telephone calls that Simon makes to his friend and business
partner are slightly annoying as they are like telephone calls on
a soap opera when it is obvious there is no one on the other end!
The conversations are quite fun, without giving too much away it
turns out that Simon helps the police with a problem they have been
having. Unlike other CDs I have listened to they add in fun conversation
and words that you would be unlikely to learn otherwise, even the
words "you look like a gangster" are thrown in.
You can buy
the CD-ROM separately to the audio CD and book. But to be honest
I think the best way to "get into" Spanish is to buy the
whole set. All of the parts were so helpful and it never got boring,
which for me is a huge thing.
In my opinion the BBC were correct to describe this as the ultimate
interactive learning experience - it certainly is that. With all
the material and resources given in the pack, it is definitely an
ace way of learning Spanish thoroughly. They seem to cover every
basic situation and give you lots of information but keeping it
fun at the same time, so it doesn't feel like a chore to sit down
and do the course. I would recommend this 100% to anyone who wants
to learn Spanish in an entertaining and different way.
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You
can buy the CD-ROM separately to the audio CD and book. But
to be honest I think the best way to "get into"
Spanish is to buy the whole set. All of the parts were so
helpful and it never got boring, which for me is a huge thing.
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Get into French
and Spanish is the fun, interactive way to learn a language!
You can really get into French and Spanish with the exciting interactive
course for beginners from BBC Languages and Cambridge University
Language Centre. The course offers a complete learning package including
2 PC CD-ROMs, a book, an audio CD and a dedicated website. Designed
for people on the go, the flexible approach puts you firmly in control
of how, when and where you learn - and you'll have fun too!
In this unique approach, you'll have complete freedom to choose
a path and style of learning that fits your personal preferences
and interests. You'll encounter the language that you really need
for travel and holidays and, from the very beginning, you'll start
to speak Spanish and understand when people reply. With clear feedback,
you will be able to make progress quickly and enjoyably.
CD-ROMs - containing the main part of the course, the CD-ROM takes
you into a virtual town, comprising bar, restaurant, department
store, market, station, campsite and more. You can choose to enter
any location at any time, focusing on learning just the language
you need, whether for shopping or eating out.
Book - use this handy ten-unit book whenever you'd like to revise
and refresh the language you have met on the CD-ROM. Dip into it
at home, on the move or on holiday.
Audio CD - build on the language you've learned by listening to
the adventures of Simon Martin, a young British web designer, as
he touches down in Alicante in search of new horizons.
review in association with BBC Languages 2005
Click
here for more information and to purchase BBC
Get Into language courses.
The BBC Get Into language multimedia language course is available
in French and Spanish.
Click
here for more information about all BBC
Languages courses.
Click here for more information about other Spanish
language courses.
If
you require any further information,
please contact us!
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