Review: Getting Started with Spanish

by Richele McFarlin | More from this Blogger

06 Oct 2010 10:06 AM

Format: Self Taught Textbook/MP3 Pronunciation Guide Available on Website

Age: Any age

Teacher Prep: Minimal

Homeschool Method: Any

Learning style: Works well with any learning style

Quick Rating: Very Good

Cost: Can be purchased at Amazon or Barnes and Noble for about $20.00.

What is Getting Started with Spanish?

A book which teaches Spanish in bite sized portions making it easy for homeschoolers or other self taught learners to grasp the Spanish language. Each lesson provides new material at a slow rate ensuring mastery of each lesson. The book is comprehensive and complete with additional helps and audio provided on the website.

Benefits of Getting Started with Spanish:

Bite sized lessons that anyone at any age can learn. Clearly written exercises promote mastery of the language. Audio is provided so you can practice speaking the language correctly. Set up so you can go at your own pace. Lessons are short enough to fit into any busy schedule without sacrificing quality.

Drawbacks of Getting Started with Spanish:

The audio is only on the computer so you will have to download it onto an MP3 player. You do not have the option of purchasing a CD or DVD.

My Experience with Getting Started with Spanish:

Two of my daughters requested to learn Spanish. As a homeschooler I am always a bit nervous teaching foreign language or purchasing a foreign language program. I want to make sure they are being instructed properly and at their own pace. Since the two daughters who requested to learn Spanish are 5 and 12, I doubted I could find a program they both could use. As we all know homeschoolers are also always on a budget. So, I was thrilled to review Getting Started with Spanish! However, I still had my doubts that a self taught book could teach a language. I was happy to be wrong. The book takes literally ten minutes of your day for the first few weeks. Yet, in that time the student is learning the material adequately. Since my daughter has an MP3 player it was easy to download the audio to ensure proper pronunciation. With book and audio ready to go, I allowed all four of my kids the chance to learn Spanish. My kids are 12, 10, 5 and 2. Would it be possible to for them to all learn some Spanish through one book? It certainly would be possible. Each child was able to work at his or her own pace and master a lesson before moving on. Even my 2 year old was having a great time listening and speaking Spanish. The logical and systematic way the book is set up made it easy for everyone to feel confident in their new skills. If you are considering introducing foreign language to your child but felt intimidated this is the program for you!

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Learn more about Richele McFarlin

Richele is a Christian homeschooling mom to four children, writer and business owner. Her collegiate background is in educational psychology.

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