Smart Start Spanish Deluxe

Description:

Syracuse Language SmartStart Spanish Deluxe is designed to improve listening and reading comprehension, develop conversation skills, build vocabulary, improve pronunciation and strengthen review and recall of the Spanish language. The program contains 32 games that may be played at three different levels and modes. Mix levels up among games to meet your own personal needs.

When you access the main menu you will be allowed to choose from Games, Glossary, Grammar Lessons, SoundStart, or go Online. Choosing SoundStart will give you a list of words to go over. Choose a voice (child, female, male) and then begin working on your pronunciation. You may utilize the microphone and be evaluated by the program in your progress, or record and playback for your own comparisons. Choosing Grammar Lessons or Glossary will prompt you to insert Disc 2 and follow instructions. Games prompts you to choose which mode you would like to work in (Listening, Reading, or Speaking) and then to choose a subject: Food, People, Numbers, Activities, Home & Office, or Places & Transportation. Games in three different levels will be highlighted that concentrate on the area in which you desire to work.

Beginners will choose Level 1 games gaining a foundation in reading, speaking and understanding nouns, verbs and simple phrases. Level 2 games build on the vocabulary learned in Level 1. Linguistic complexity increases as complete phrases and sentences are being used within the games. Level 3 games integrate and expand upon the previous two levels skills. A comic strip format is used to put each conversation in a visual context to guide understanding. Conversations are repeated at a natural rate of speech or spoken slowly. Onscreen assistance is offered to teach new words and expressions and to teach verb conjugations.

There are three modes to choose from: Listening, Reading, and Speaking. Listening provides visual images. You listen to the corresponding words in Spanish, and use the mouse to play the games. Listening games teach how the language should sound, and help retention of new words and phrases. Reading mode comic strips move you beyond basic reading skills to develop reading fluency. Finally, Speaking mode, enhanced by Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology, utilizes a microphone. By speaking in Spanish, as you play a game, Smart Start Spanish will evaluate what you've said and indicate if your response is correct and pronunciation acceptable.

Features:

• Bonus CD-ROM with 16 video grammar lessons included.
• Audio CD correlated to the guidebook exercises.
• Glossary
• 32 Games in six subject areas.
• Automatic speech recognition and record/playback.
• 48 lesson guidebook based on CD-ROM conversations.
• SmartStartOnline.com

Technical Aspects:

Report and Conclusions:

SyracuseLanguage also offers this program for French, German and Italian. If you have a child or teen taking one of these languages in school or college, the programs offer a wonderful way to enhance learning and aid in tutoring away from the classroom. Also, great for adults who want to learn (like me) or just brush up.