- By Inesa Torres
- Published 06/10/2010
- Personal Development
- Unrated
With so many Spanish programs around it is no wonder that one can get frustrated which one to choose. In this article I will talk about the most popular programs that one can download on line to learn to speak Spanish.
* What are benefits for downloadable Spanish language software.
First of all it is an instant access to the course. Spanish learning is literally just one click away from you.
Secondly, downloadable programs are usually less expensive than Spanish CD 's as it takes away shipping and handling costs as well as the cost of producing actual CDs.
Thirdly, in most cases, if you download learn Spanish software from reputable companies, you are entitled to receive free lifetime upgrades.
* What to look for to find the good Spanish download program
Before investing into course, ensure that you check the following:
Make sure that learn Spanish download is compatible with your computer operating system (Windows or Mac).
The best programs do not shy away giving access to free Spanish lessons or have demos. You have to be sure that you like the teaching style and program interface before paying for the full version.
Check the company's refund policy. Reputable companies give at least 30 days refund and in some cases even 90 days full refund for the program.
* Which Spanish download software is the best and why
O Learn Spanish Like Crazy.
This is audio only program that focus on conversational every day Latin American Spanish. Learn Spanish Like Crazy course is excellent for listening comprehension and grammar. Each lesson has different grammar theme or verb conjugation it concentrates on. The course has full translation in English and brief descriptions on English for more complicated topics.
This course comes with a lot of learning materials, including famous Foreign Service Institute Programmatic (FSI) Spanish course for all 4 levels. It is a program used by the CIA and FBI to teach their employees Spanish. Many drills, but still effective.
To get the taste of the program, you can get free 1 hour lesson and 10 free online video lessons.
Learn Spanish Like Crazy comes also in 20 CD version, but it is three times more expensive than downloadable version. The program is suitable for Windows and Mac computers.
O Transparent Spanish by Transparent Languages
Transparent Spanish course is best known for its Byki Flash cards. It is a Spanish flash cards system of more than 2000 Spanish words. It allows downloading even more words to create your own Spanish flash card system. This course has various other integrated features like speech recognition system, audio lessons, games, activities and quite effective Lingua Match 3 dimensional software game. The course is available on CD's and download. There is no price difference between both versions. Just note that Transparent Spanish course is compatible only with Windows system.
O Michel Thomas Spanish
Michel Thomas Spanish audio course stands out from the rest mainly due to its unusual learning style. Michel Thomas was a celebrity language teacher and developed his own method to teach languages. The course is a set of recorded lessons where Michel Thomas teaches two other students. As you listen to audio, you learn along with other students, hear their mistakes and in a way participate in the live class. The method is effective for learning very practical conversation skills. Michel gives explanations in English.
The effectiveness of the method lies in fact that instead of repeating after the teacher, Michel gives cue in English and asks the student to give response in Spanish. In this way listener actively participates in the class, is encouraged to actually speak in Spanish and better memorize expressions.
The course is available on CD's and as audio downloads and compatible with all operating systems. You can also get free sample of the lesson too.
O Pimsleur Spanish
This is time tested audio course that was developed by Dr. Pimsleur more than 50 years ago. Pimsleur method is based on scientific approach of language learning. The core principles are principle of anticipation, where student is encouraged to recall words from the memory. The graduate interval recall is an idea to remind the words at specific intervals each time your memory begins to fade.
The Pimsleur Spanish course seems an easy way to learn Spanish, yet it is very effective. Lessons are designed in sets of 30 min long Spanish audio lessons.
The course is available on CD's and downloadable version. It is compatible with all operating systems. It has also free lessons samples in its download version.
O Rocket Spanish
Rocket Spanish is an effective course designed to teach how to speak Latin American Spanish.
Its main strengths lie in teaching modern and practical every day Spanish. The teaching method is designed to reinforce material that is taught in audio lessons with other integrated tools like vocabulary building games, grammar, writing exercises and culture lessons.
Rocket Spanish comes as download and is also available on CDs. The course is compatible with all computers. It has 60 days money back guarantee and 6 day free Spanish lessons.
Whatever learn Spanish download you choose, make sure you practice every day. All of the programs mentioned in this article have Spanish audio lessons. You can easy convert audio lessons on MP3 format and listen anywhere and anytime. In this way you will learn to speak Spanish really fast.
* What are benefits for downloadable Spanish language software.
First of all it is an instant access to the course. Spanish learning is literally just one click away from you.
Secondly, downloadable programs are usually less expensive than Spanish CD 's as it takes away shipping and handling costs as well as the cost of producing actual CDs.
Thirdly, in most cases, if you download learn Spanish software from reputable companies, you are entitled to receive free lifetime upgrades.
* What to look for to find the good Spanish download program
Before investing into course, ensure that you check the following:
Make sure that learn Spanish download is compatible with your computer operating system (Windows or Mac).
The best programs do not shy away giving access to free Spanish lessons or have demos. You have to be sure that you like the teaching style and program interface before paying for the full version.
Check the company's refund policy. Reputable companies give at least 30 days refund and in some cases even 90 days full refund for the program.
* Which Spanish download software is the best and why
O Learn Spanish Like Crazy.
This is audio only program that focus on conversational every day Latin American Spanish. Learn Spanish Like Crazy course is excellent for listening comprehension and grammar. Each lesson has different grammar theme or verb conjugation it concentrates on. The course has full translation in English and brief descriptions on English for more complicated topics.
This course comes with a lot of learning materials, including famous Foreign Service Institute Programmatic (FSI) Spanish course for all 4 levels. It is a program used by the CIA and FBI to teach their employees Spanish. Many drills, but still effective.
To get the taste of the program, you can get free 1 hour lesson and 10 free online video lessons.
Learn Spanish Like Crazy comes also in 20 CD version, but it is three times more expensive than downloadable version. The program is suitable for Windows and Mac computers.
O Transparent Spanish by Transparent Languages
Transparent Spanish course is best known for its Byki Flash cards. It is a Spanish flash cards system of more than 2000 Spanish words. It allows downloading even more words to create your own Spanish flash card system. This course has various other integrated features like speech recognition system, audio lessons, games, activities and quite effective Lingua Match 3 dimensional software game. The course is available on CD's and download. There is no price difference between both versions. Just note that Transparent Spanish course is compatible only with Windows system.
O Michel Thomas Spanish
Michel Thomas Spanish audio course stands out from the rest mainly due to its unusual learning style. Michel Thomas was a celebrity language teacher and developed his own method to teach languages. The course is a set of recorded lessons where Michel Thomas teaches two other students. As you listen to audio, you learn along with other students, hear their mistakes and in a way participate in the live class. The method is effective for learning very practical conversation skills. Michel gives explanations in English.
The effectiveness of the method lies in fact that instead of repeating after the teacher, Michel gives cue in English and asks the student to give response in Spanish. In this way listener actively participates in the class, is encouraged to actually speak in Spanish and better memorize expressions.
The course is available on CD's and as audio downloads and compatible with all operating systems. You can also get free sample of the lesson too.
O Pimsleur Spanish
This is time tested audio course that was developed by Dr. Pimsleur more than 50 years ago. Pimsleur method is based on scientific approach of language learning. The core principles are principle of anticipation, where student is encouraged to recall words from the memory. The graduate interval recall is an idea to remind the words at specific intervals each time your memory begins to fade.
The Pimsleur Spanish course seems an easy way to learn Spanish, yet it is very effective. Lessons are designed in sets of 30 min long Spanish audio lessons.
The course is available on CD's and downloadable version. It is compatible with all operating systems. It has also free lessons samples in its download version.
O Rocket Spanish
Rocket Spanish is an effective course designed to teach how to speak Latin American Spanish.
Its main strengths lie in teaching modern and practical every day Spanish. The teaching method is designed to reinforce material that is taught in audio lessons with other integrated tools like vocabulary building games, grammar, writing exercises and culture lessons.
Rocket Spanish comes as download and is also available on CDs. The course is compatible with all computers. It has 60 days money back guarantee and 6 day free Spanish lessons.
Whatever learn Spanish download you choose, make sure you practice every day. All of the programs mentioned in this article have Spanish audio lessons. You can easy convert audio lessons on MP3 format and listen anywhere and anytime. In this way you will learn to speak Spanish really fast.
Inesa Torres
{With passion of learning foreign languages, Inesa Torres has tested many Spanish programs. Her website compares the most popular Spanish courses. For full review of courses, including downloadable Spanish programs, visit: http://learn-spanish.learninglanguagedirectory.com|Inesa Torres is passiona
View all articles by Inesa Torres