podcast #14, Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe
podcast #14, Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe
(link to the podcast)
thanks to Steve for this review of the computer program.
Here is the Learn Spanish Software Review website.
Amazon.com links:
1. Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe at $39, good reviews with this link (This program is the subject of podcast #14)
2. Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe 2.0 at $29 and free shipping. (This is newest vision of the program. It just came out and no reviews are available)
3. another option is Instant Immersion Spanish Platinum.
This seems to be a newer and more expensive version ($80), but I don't know the difference from Deluxe.
please email me at: learningspanish@gmail.com,
or leave your comments on this site
posted by Rich @ 12:40 PM
25 comments
25 Comments:
I have the user’s manual for this program in pdf form. The manual explains all the exercises and you may find it useful in deciding if you want to but the program. Anyone who would like a copy of the manual can email me and I would be happy to send it to them. Please put the phrase Spanish Program in the subject line so that I will not delete it thinking that it is spam.
Steve
stevestr@cox.net
I am having such a hard time learning my first 1,000 words. Does anyone know any tips or tricks in learning basic vocabulary fast and painlessly?
I have a set of 1,000 flashcards, but the words don’t seem to be sticking in my memory. Even in my audio course my memory seems to have 'shut off' for some reason.
I feel like my brain has said, "no more please".
This happens to everyone. I believe you are just getting tired of this approach. Look around here at some of the things other people have done. It's time to adjust your program.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
I have always found learning vocabulary to be the hardest part of leaning
Spanish. I just started a method which I found in a book that Rich recommended in podcast 2. The book is called How to Learn Any Language by Barry Farber. In this method; you link the new word to words and pictures that you already know. For example if you want to remember that the Spanish word comer means to eat, you think of a female horse or a mare which has a lot of hay to eat, so much hay that she needs help from another or a “co” mare. You picture these co-mares eat the hay and remember that comer means to eat. Sounds crazy but it seems to work very well.
Thanks Steve. I try to do that, but usually I can't come up with very good linkwords. When I have to get too creative with my linkwords it only adds to the confusion.
Anonymous #1: From your post, I take it that your are new to learning spanish. Most, if not all of us, have felt like you do now. This place is for you. Listen to all 14 of these podcasts. I believe your original enthusiasm will return.
Another idea for learning vocabulary from Barry Farber‘s book is to get a Spanish newspaper or magazine. Read some of it, if you are a beginner, maybe just the first paragraph. High light the words that you don’t know and write them on an index card with their definitions. Study them during the day. The next day return to the same paragraph and reread it. It helps to see the words in context.
Rich
Do you think that studying vocabulary would be a good subject for a podcast?
Steve v, thanks for the tips and for asking about a vocabulary memory retention podcast. I think that is a good idea.
After the other Steve posted telling me to listen to all 14 podcasts I was second guessing myself thinking that maybe I missed something. I think he was just mistaken. He may have heard a memory retention podcast elsewhere and thought it was here.
Has anyone tried 200 Spanish Words a Day?
I want to try it, but their website makes it look like a scam. I know for a fact 200 words a day is imposable!! However it does look like an interesting technique.
On the subject of “Learn Spanish 200”, you can sign up for their newsletter and from that get a sample of their e-book. The e-book give you a pretty good idea what the material is all about. Of course you have to give them your email address. I did it, the stuff looks fine, I will let you know if I start getting a lot more spam as a result of doing this.
Unforgettable Languages also looks interesting for learning vocabulary. I just don't want to be the genie pig. Has anyone else tried this or the other one?
There is a book that uses a method similar to the programs that people have been asking about. It cost $10 and is called Spanish by Association.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0844294470/104-7769931-2432752?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
It uses word instead of pictures. On example is “The Spanish for potato is papa. Imagine throwing potatoes at you Papa.”
I examined the book at my local Borders Books and it seem to be a very good book for beginners. If you have been studding Spanish for a couple of years, you probably know about 2/3 of the words already.
Great find Steve V!!!!
I was hoping to find something with around 500-1,000 words. Do you know how many words are in that book?
I think that the book has about 400 words. And it is for beginers.
Hi all
I am the Steve who talked about Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe. I was wonder if anyone else has a program for learning Spanish that the can post so information on. I am personally interest in programs for intermediate to advance student but I am sure we have people who visit this blog who are at all levels.
Thanks
Steve
steve v,
I have put a lot of thought into exactly what makes someone intermediate. I am sure it is different for everyone's standards. I agree with how-to-learn-any-language.com when he said having a usable vocabulary of over 1,000 words should put you at the intermediate level. He has his own tips on how to learn once you hit the intermediate level which differ slightly from mine. You can read them here.
According to his website the 1,000 most common words in Italian make up 85% of normal speech (link). Since Spanish is very close to Italian I assume it applies. He also has a nice chart of Russian words-per fluency rating in his section, How many words do I need to learn.
There is an e-book written by the maker of BilingualAmerica who also talks about the amount of words you need to know. Look in chapter 3, The Fruit and the Root.
If you are intermediate then you should understand over half of most movies. Personally I would start with cartoons because the language is mores simplistic, the audio is very clear, and the characters actions and jesters are exaggerated. All Disney and Dreamworks cartoons I have seen lately have been very well dubbed. The last few I have watched were Finding Nemo, Robots, and Shrek.
If you are a member of Netflix for only $9.99 a month you can have unlimited cartoons and moives in Spanish.
I watched them with my dictionary in hand with no subtitles (I find them distracting). When I hear a word that sounds familiar I rewind it, turn on subtitles in Spanish, then I play it back with the subtitles on until I see that word. I pause it and look it up in my dictionary. The subtitles do not match the audio track word-for-word, but I usually I find at least the word I am looking for.
Unfortunately I am no where near the Intermediate level of 1,000 words and this method is probably the most beneficial for someone who is at least Intermediate. Now I only understand about 15% of the movie which is good for my level.
Another good way to improve at an intermediate level would be reading kids books. If you find them too easy move up the reading level.
Unless you have a personal tutor or a language coach I don't think a teach-yourself audio/computer course is what you need at an intermediate level.
Jason
Thank you
Anonymous. Sorry if I mislead you in my first response. You sounded discouraged. I only meant that you should listen to the podcasts to get some other ideas. Force feeding yourself 1000 words is a tall order.
Hey,
I don't really have any comments, but just wanted to say thanks. This podcast is really helpful; I like it a lot.
This program does not seem to be Mac OS X compatible. I find this strange since it is iPodcast. Am I wrong? Is this program available for Macs?
As Rich said in the intro to this podcast, this program only runs on PCs. I had no problem talking about this program since I am sure that the majority of the podcast subscribers use PCs. If anyone knows of any good software which runs on a Mac, it would be great if they would post their thoughts on the subject.
Steve
Eerst Europa Doelstellingen: De Ci2i Verzekering (Ci2i) zal het nummer een gebrandmerkte pan Europese commoditized online verzekeringsmakelaar door 2010 zijn.
Hi
Top Ten Reviews includes 3 programs for the Mac.
http://learn-spanish-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Steve
A pretty comprehensive report by a student of the 200 words a Day is online. He claims to have learned 2000 words in a couple of months. Read about his Spanish learning experience and make up your own mind.
The system seems to incorporate all that you are talking about here and more. With a one year money back guarantee there can't be too much at risk. The site seems to have been going 4 years+.
Post a Comment
<< Home