Buenos Días!

Yup!  We’re learnin’ Spanish!!!

Kenzi was lucky enough to be chosen to review Bilingual Books’ Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day Course.  First I want you to hear what she thinks of it (since, really, she’s the one using it)”

I like the Spanish course because it is made so that you have lots of practice.  You review everything; pages, sections, chapters.  They always go back and have you review what you already did, which helps a lot when you are learning to say palabras nuevas (new words).  That’s how they teach you.  You learn new words in your lesson but also as part of the lesson.  It’s hard to explain but it works.  I find the books have very good explanations and good illustrations.  I find that the audios are clear and nice to listen to (nice voice). 

Honestly?  I could kick myself having read what she wrote about Bilingual Books because we spend hundreds of dollars on Rosetta Stone (for French) when Bilingual Books are only $59.95 for an entire language and I’m seeing a lot more results in a MUCH shorter period of time. D’OH! 

Of course, one could argue that Rosetta Stone is a lot more comprehensive, but honestly?  Right now I just want my children to be able to communicate in French, and I’ve not seen that yet from RS.  However, Kenzi takes great pleasure in slipping in some Spanish when she’s talking to me (messin’ with my old Mama brain… *grin*).  Learning a new language should be fun and interesting, and as good marks as RS is spitting out for my kids lessons, they aren’t enjoying itnear as much, and they are certainly not using it (the language, not the program… that’s non-negotiable because of the province I live in).

My analysis of the program?  Well, personally I think I would prefer a computer program myself that tracks progress, plans lessons, etc.  and most likely would have passed this program by if I’d stumbled it - thinking that it woudln’t be an effective system.  It’s amazing how we prejudge things, eh?  One really nice feature are the stickers which can be places on items around the house to help your student review the palabras nuevas.  *grin… are you getting the idea how the books work?*

The book is top quality, the CDs are in a innovative “wallet” case.  The text comes with a CD with the neatest interactive … I don’t know what you would call it, Kenzi said it’s like a game, but it’s called an Interactive Flash Cards and Sticky Labels… which to me sounds boring … it’s NOT!   It makes practicing what you’ve learned so much fun!  The words you are taught are primarily for assisting you, the learner, become a confident communicator in your new language, making everything from home conversations to travelling to a new country much more dynamic.  The CDs could easily be taken in the car on your activity commute allowing the whole family to learn together, or they could popped into the computer during school time, or maybe listened to on a walkman while taking the dog for a walk (one of my daughter’s favourite activities).  Portable learning… I love that!  The only caveat I could mention is that on the first page it teaches you how easily you can learn to speak another language… by showing you how to order a glass of wine in a restaurant.  Um.. maybe not as useful for our homeschool KIDS… but, well, they will grow, and possibly one day want to order a glass of wine in a restaurant somewhere in Mexico or Spain - and won’t you be glad to know that you’ve properly equipped them to do so?? LOL!

Bilingual books covers many languages, including Arabic, Italian, Chinese, French (that’s our next purchase, to compliment our RS and get Kenzi conversing), German, Hebrew (Cool!  Maybe I’ll get that for me!), Japanese, Norwegian, Portugese, Russion and of course, Spanish!  McKenzie wanted a program to learn Spanish so that she could write to her World Vision sponsor child who lives in the Dominican Republic in her own language… and she not only got her wish, but she also said that she hopes she gets to meet her one day because she knows that she will be able to talk to her as well!  I am so excited for my language-challenged daughter, that she has finally found something to help her discover what learning a new language is really about… FUN!

Thanks Bilingual Books!  I’ll be ordering another language soon! :o)

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

This entry was posted on 10. February 2009 at 13:13 and is filed under T is for Teaching. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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