Spanish Learning Software: How to Evaluate Audio-Based Spanish Language Learning Programs
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Written by: dannyc.miller
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Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 |
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The audio component is the most important part of any online or software-based Spanish learning program. Some programs are 100% audio. Others include a wide range of additional learning activities, like Spanish verb conjugation games, vocabulary games, cultural lessons, and reading and writing lessons. This article is going to tell you how to evaluate both 100% audio courses and the audio components of more in-depth Spanish learning software programs.
Repetition Intervals
The most important components of any Spanish audio learning program are the repetition intervals. Modern linguistic research has proven that these intervals, the intervals at which you repeat a word or phrase, make a huge difference in regards to how well you remember said word or phrase. For example, say you are going to learn the Spanish vocabulary word "amigo." If your Spanish audio course repeats the word, "amigo," with you repeating it, 10 times every 2 seconds, you will remember it in the short-term, but not in the long-term. Also, if in the course dialogues you only repeat the word "Amigo" twice and on 2 different days, you will not be likely to remember it all, especially not in the medium and long-term. So, what are the optimum repetition intervals to look for?
According to the theory of Graduated-Interval Recall, the optimum intervals are 5 seconds, 25 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, 1 day, 5 days, and 25 days. Now, I'm not suggesting that you test different Spanish audio learning programs with a stop-watch. I do have two suggestions for you, though. First, never purchase a Spanish audio course without trying it out first. All reputable companies offer free trials--use them! Second, when you do take a Spanish language learning product for a test drive, complete an entire lesson. As you complete it, take note of its repetition intervals.
When you learn a dialogue, you should start off by learning the individual words. Then you should be repeating those words while learning short phrases. Finally, you should be repeating both the individual words and the short phrases as you learn the full sentences in the dialogue. If you find that words and phrases are being repeated in a natural way throughout the lesson, then you've found a good audio program.
Avoid Spanish audio courses that do not utilize this type of interval repetition. For example, if you look around a bit, you find many Spanish audio programs that just give you a recording of the entire dialogue. You are then supposed to listen and repeat the entire thing over and over again until you memorize it. This is not an effective way to learn the Spanish language.
Natural Interaction
The whole point of learning Spanish, of course, is to be able to communicate with the language verbally. It is imperative, then, that your Spanish audio course gives you a chance to interact in a natural way. For example, some Spanish courses I've seen go through great pains to teach you individual vocabulary words. Then they work hard to teach you useful phrases and, in the end, complete dialogues. But then they stop. These programs are okay, but not the best. The best Spanish audio courses go a step further and provide true interaction, by way of simulated conversations.
For example, after teaching the necessary vocabulary, a good Spanish audio course will finish a lesson with something like this.
"Now imagine that you have just met a Spanish friend for lunch." "Greet him in Spanish."
"Pause" (You speak Spanish here).
Then a native Spanish Speaker will greet you back and ask you what you want to eat.
"Pause" (You answer the question in Spanish).
Now the Spanish native speaker will ask you if you know a good restaurant.
"Pause" (You suggest a restaurant).
This is just an example, of course, but you get the idea. Speaking Spanish is not just about memorizing vocabulary words and conjugating verbs. It's about interaction and communication, and the best Spanish audio courses include this important component in their audio programs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a Spanish learning program with a good audio course is very important. To get the best, never buy a program without trying it out first. When trying it out, check to see that it offers instruction following the guidelines of the Theory of Graduated-Interval Recall. In addition, make sure it includes natural and communicative dialogues that give you the opportunity to speak as you will need to when conversing with a native-speaking Spanish or Latin-American person.
Looking for the best Spanish software programs? Check out my Spanish software reviews.
Also, be sure to read my article "Choosing Great Spanish learning Software."
Have a great day!
Source: Spanish Learning Software: How to Evaluate Audio-Based Spanish Language Learning Programs
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