Encarta Language Learning Spanish Deluxe

Age Group: Age 8 and Up, Adults Type: Foreign Language, Reference Price: $55

Requires: Pentium 166+, Windows 95+/NT 4.0, 32 Mb RAM (64 Mb for Win 2000), 160 Mb HD, 12xCD-ROM,

Description:

This title takes an immersive approach to self-study of (Mexican) Spanish for beginner to intermediate learners. It covers 30 different units, each with exercises centered on a video. There are 10 unit topics: Greetings, Directions, Buying & Selling, Food & Drink, Recreation, Celebrations, Travel, Health, and Culture. Units can be worked on in sequence or at random. As an example, the unit 'En Casa' covers introducing yourself and telephone etiquette. The workbook can be used along with the units and includes phased instruction on grammar and vocabulary.

Select a unit, watch and listen to its video and then start on the related exercises. The video can be stopped at any point to view the Spanish text of the current sentence, its English translation, related grammar information and occasional cultural explanations. All the units have exercises grouped in sets of 3 under Listening, Speaking, Practice and Vocabulary. For example Listening includes an exercise to identify words used in the video and another which questions comprehension. Speaking has an exercise in which the user takes the speaking part of one of the characters in the video. Practice includes a dictation exercise (in which the selection of accents is a little awkward). Vocabulary has exercises which match pictures to words (spoken and written).

Each of the 10 unit groups also includes a Virtual Challenge, for example one to bargain in a Mexican Plaza - you move around in 3D and meet 4 characters who ask questions or assign tasks to identify objects. If a task is not completed correctly a video segment is played to give hints. Reference tools provide additional instruction on grammar, conjugation and pronunciation. There is also a button on the main screen to access Encarta Online using a browser. This gives access to a word and lesson of the day, Spanish news links, a discussion area and online language games like Scooter Speller and Scrambled Sentences.

Features:

• Multiple users
• 20 native-language speakers
• 30 Videos
• 240 page Workbook
• 3D interaction
• Andrea Electronics microphone
• Speech Recognition
• 28 page User's Guide
• Video CD
• 2 audio CD's
• Study Planner
• Progress Tracker
• Personalized completion level

Technical Aspects:

Installation failed on my system with an error message that warned 'Failed to install L&H PCMM ASR1600 for Win V3 Engine.' The Microsoft support site has instructions for dealing with this, involving uninstalling and reinstalling specific components.

This program is not suitable for someone with auditory difficulty as much of it is presented verbally.

Report and Conclusions:

The videos are very well done and have interesting subjects, which is good as they are central to the exercises and end up being replayed often. Beginners in the language would need to study the videos and step through them with the written versions and English translations before attempting the exercises. The Virtual Challenges are a nice touch and provide an unusual approach to very useful reinforcement for each unit in a real world context.

If you are a self-directed learner, you will find Spanish Deluxe to be a wonderful resource. You can listen to the videos; practice new words and phrases; compare your own voice with that of native speakers; and try out acquired language skills to complete tasks in a virtual 3D setting. It's rather like having a full language lab in your computer.