What to Look For When Buying Learn to Speak Spanish Software

By B Matheson

Language learning software is a hot trend for picking up conversational skills in other languages. This might be for vacation, a business trip, or just for fun. What ever the reason you're thinking of buying learn to speak Spanish software there are a few things you should look for in any program before you buy.

This article is going to cover four points you should consider before you buy any Spanish lesson software.

Audio or Video

Does the program use audio or video as it's primary teaching tool. Personally I enjoy video, but not everyone is the same. If you think you'd like audio better then video consider programs like Rocket Spanish or Pimsleur Spanish.

Both of these programs use audio as their main teaching method, while Rocket Spanish supplements the audio portion of the course with PC based games and quizzes to improve grammar and vocabulary.

For video, programs like Visual Link and Rosetta stone are top notch at improving you vocabulary and conversational skills with video lessons similar to that of a personal tutor.

Memorization or Phrases

Memorization is the basis of your High School Spanish lessons. I don't know about you but that didn't work for me.

If you're goal is to become fluent in speaking Spanish but aren't worried about writing it correctly then don't go for memorization. Look for learn Spanish software that focuses on teaching you to build phrases and learn vocabulary that is important in everyday conversation.

Speech Recognition

This is a relatively new feature but it is the best feature to teach you correct pronunciation. Programs such as Tell me More Spanish allow you to speak into a head set microphone and record your voice. The software then interprets what you've said to guage your progress.

This is as close as you can get to having a one-on-one tutor instructing you on how to pronounce Spanish words correctly.

Lesson Plan and Feedback

I don't know about you but for me, I need structure to learn. You might be surprised to know that not all learn Spanish software gives you a plan to follow.

I suggest you look for a program that has a very easy to follow plan for beginners and intermediate Spanish students. If you opt for a program with no lesson plan then you might end up spending a lot of time to learn nothing.

Programs such as Tell Me More Spanish focus on not only following a lesson plan, but they will also give the student feedback about where you need work and suggest lessons you should do to improve those areas.

If you're ready to start learning Spanish today then take a moment to read our reviews of the top Spanish learning programs available. Or check out our detailed Tell Me More Spanish review of the top rated software program to learn Spanish online.