Christian Character Matters (our review site of home school, Bible, and fun products for the whole family) |
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La Clase Divertida
Out of all of the Spanish products we have reviewed, we have found this to be the most effective, easiest to use, and by far the most fun Spanish product out there. There is little to no prep time and it is made for families to use (not just students). Our girls sing the songs learned throughout the day. The format is watch a DVD of a Christian homeschooling father (who teaches Spanish in a local school). The video is shot while teaching students and interacts with the viewers. It is wonderful at keeping the attention of the children and parents. You then have an audio CD to listen to in the car or at home. This is also quite enjoyable. The lessons end in a craft or cooking time that is included on the video (you can watch and complete later). The craft materials are included as well as nice workbooks (enough for two students) and a teachers book. There are three levels available (start with the first!!). We have personally purchased all three levels and enjoy them very much. We have learned a lot from the program and this was the only Spanish training our girls had before moving down to Ecuador June 2007. People here comment on how well they pronounce Spanish words. I have seen a lot of confidence in their Spanish and believe this comes after having such a fun Spanish program.
Tell Me More
The new Homeschool Version is a breakthrough for homeschoolers who want to learn a language:
:: New complete Beginner level
:: An Audio CD is included to reinforce your language learning.
:: Extract TELL ME MORE audio files and burn them to audio CDs or convert
them to use on your MP3 player
:: Student tracking
:: Possibility to create several accounts for different family members
:: Exclusive activity guide
:: Access for parents to the content of TELL ME MORE, with and without solutions.
This special Homeschool version includes 4 levels in the same package: Complete Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, an Audio CD, as well as a free headset and microphone. It is the most extensive and complete language software available.
We received a copy of Tell Me More Spanish Homeschool version to review. Wow! This program is packed full! There are two different modes to choose from when using this program. You can browse through yourself using the Free To Roam mode, choosing which activities you would like to do when. These include Lesson Workshop, Vocabulary Workshop, Oral Workshop, Cultural Workshop, Grammar Workshop, and Written Workshop.
You can choose the guided mode which will guide you through very manageable portions of various activities before bringing you back to the main page. This mode is fantastic! It makes using the software very easy. There is never a place where you "get stuck" as in other software programs - there are tons of helps available on each page if you are unable to figure things out on your own. There is also a third mode available on some programs called the Dynamic mode. This mode you can choose to work according to the objectives offered, after which point, Tell me More adapts the linguistic context to help you work on the skills that you need to improve on the most, as calculated by your performance in each activity.
The thing that separates this program from the rest is the multiple ways you will learn through using it. You will learn to recognize hearing Spanish, you will learn to speak Spanish, you will learn spelling along with accent placement through the crossword puzzles and other activities. Also, this program is very complete, taking you from beginner learning to advanced proficiency.
The video is great, the layout of the program is not dated, and the voice recognition is excellent. One pointer on the recognition - it seems to stress some of the more difficult sounds such as the rr, v, and d sounds. The program comes with a head set and the computer shows how close your pronunciation is to the authentic one.
The Spanish program includes all 4 levels of Spanish, level 1 of Latin American Spanish as well as an audio CD. We will be adding to the review as there is a lot to this program!
If you are looking for a computer software program to use for yourself or your children in order to learn a new language, Tell Me More is the best product out there.
Comic Mnemonics
Jim Sarris has taught Spanish for the last 15 years. Now, your children can not only us mnemonics for learning math facts, but also for Spanish verbs. This is a great supplement for your Spanish program. Each verb is given the front and back of one page. The front of the page has a wonderful illustration along with the verb and definition in bold print with the key phrase, definition, and the Spanish verb. A small drawing on the top right of the page gives the phonetic pronunciation of the verb. At the bottom of the page, the verb is conjugated out in present and past tense. A mnemonic phrase is below the illustration. On the back side of the page, you will see the picture along with an area to practice writing the translation of the verb in English. The book can be purchased alone, or with two wonderful CD-Roms with further learning materials listed below
.My husband has been taking an advanced Spanish class at a local community college. The first day, the instructor asked a question - my husband came home very excited to tell me he was the only one who knew the answer due to reading Comic Mnemonics!
100 mnemonics and illustrations
Full present and preterit tense conjugations
Comprehensive review of both tenses
Flash cards
Thumbnails
Phonetic spellings of each verb
3 different ways to review
3000 fill-ins
Crossword puzzles
Word searches
Sentence scramblers
Assessment generator
Jim includes many free bonuses with your purchase (you can go to the website
for more information). Also, a challenge to come up with a better mnemonic
phrase for any verb he has listed. If he chooses to use your submission, you
will not only get credit for it in his next edition - he will refund the retail
price of the book. To sum it up - this is delightfully fun learning!
Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day
This is an audio/workbook program. It comes with a 132 page workbook that is very well thought out and is visually stimulating. The audio portion is very well done and includes speakers from Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and other regions. The primary goal of the program is to prepare you for travel to a Spanish speaking country. Included in the workbook are stickers to label items around your house (preprinted). Out of all of the products we have seen, this looks to be one of the most comprehensive and yet easy to use. The workbook would be best used by an older elementary - adult student or with a parent if the child was younger. Although there is a brief mention of beer and wine - this program is very suitable for children. Pimsleur and a couple of other audio programs are not appropriate due to the extensive adult themed conversations, but this is not the case with Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day. The number one thing that sets this program apart is the fact that it teaches using several learning styles. Auditory learning from the CDs, Visual learning from the workbook, and Kinesthetic learning using the stickers to label items as you walk around your house.
Penton Spanish
Lingua Fun!
Language Learning Card Games with Audio
by Donald S. Rivera
Award-Winning Language Learning Card Games
Play exciting games like Gin Rummy, Solitaire, Concentration and Go Fish as you combine red, white, and blue cards to form sentences. Become instantly fluent, with colorful cards making over 5,000 sentences.
Two decks of cards are included along with an audio CD. You and your children
will learn the spanish words for numbers 1-20 along with many words and phrases.
The english translation is in small print on each card. I would recommend
these for ages 8+
Learn in your Car for Kids
Reusable Activity Book
Fun games and exercises in the accompanying reusable activity book enhance
and reinforce the audio program. Laminated pages wipe clean so kids can play
and practice - over and over again! Includes an erasable felt tip marker,
plus removable stickers.
70-minute audio program
Uniquely designed for kids ages 7-12, this engaging audio program uses a fun, "learn along" approach to teach a language. Kids will laugh and learn right along with the characters in this interactive audio program.
Teaches:
basic phrases, colors, and numbers
building sentences and asking questions
a comprehensive vocabulary of nouns and action words.
Learning will happen quickly with this product! Whether using it in your car or your home, it is highly motivational and simple to use. The CD is very easy to understand and the book is highly effective.
Lyric Language
The Complete Lyric Language® CD & DVD
French • German • Italian • Spanish
Penton’s dynamic live-action music video – with bilingual lyrics subtitled on-screen.
Now available in this complete, 70-minute DVD format. Also includes an audio CD with all 21 bilingual songs with a full color Lyric Book in U-print format on DVD. We LOVE this. It is by far our favorite Spanish learning DVD. The songs are enjoyable (and not annoying) and the video is very nice. Songs about the beach, grocery store, and much more.
U-print lyric Book is on the DVD
and requires a computer with a DVD drive to read and print file.
.Bil Keane’s famous Family Circus® characters introduce each song.
1 DVD - 1 CD -
$14.95 each - our price $11.96 - you save $2.99 (20%)
70-minute DVD, U-print book & 70-minute Audio CD
Professor Parrot Speaks Spanish
Professor Parrot Speaks Spanish
Join Professor Parrot for an exciting adventure of making friends while learning
over 150 new words and phrases in Spanish. Children stay actively engaged
in this multi-sensory experience designed for early ages when language learning
is most important.
Experience the colors of the rainbow while singing and dancing to the tune
of "Cielito Lindo."
Count from one to twenty, singing and dancing to the "Mexican Hat Dance"
in the land of numbers.
Learn how to ask and say your name to the tune of "La Bamba" and
much, much more!
Professor Parrot makes Spanish easy and fun with songs, dances, games, and
puppets! Make friends all over the world--"Somos Amigos" We are
friends.
30-minute video, audio and guidebook -- Ages 2-7 • ISBN 1-885278-03-9
Language Tree
Spanish for Kids Vol. 1
Price: $24.99 DVD
Spanish for Kids volume 1 introduces Spanish in a way that kids will truly enjoy. Your child will learn Spanish quickly and effortlessly. Filled with 3-D animated characters, interactive DVD games, and lively songs, this DVD teaches basic conversational Spanish within the context of a fantastic children’s birthday party. Carlos and his best friend, Chiquitita the Chihuahua, teach useful words and phrases that your child can use right away. Lessons include meeting and greeting, colors, numbers, clothing, and much more!
Narrated and subtitled in English, Spanish for Kids volume 1 is perfect for beginner Spanish learners age 4 and older.
Incorporates Language Tree’s breakthrough Multi-Cognition Approach™,
developed by a Stanford University Cognitive Scientist
Contains 5 complete lessons on everyday conversation
Includes interactive DVD exercises that tests lesson comprehension
Introduces more than 70 practical phrases and vocabulary words
Lively sing-a-long songs reinforce new words and phrases
DVD comes accompanied with a learning book so parents or teachers can review
lessons together with their children.
Teach Me
Book & CD:
0-934633-93-2 Buy Now: $15.95
Book & Cassette:
0-934633-05-3 Buy Now: $13.95
I asked my cousin who is fluent in several languages what the best method was to teach children a language. He suggested children's songs. These products are wonderful because they include many songs that children already know and have a coloring/song book to accompany them. It is very helpful for the children to see the Spanish words and to be able to associate them with the words they hear on the CD. The pictures are delightful and the songs very engaging with pleasant music and voices. I think the best part is that these are appealing to children and will help teach them a language using proper pronunciation while having fun!
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Teach Me... Spanish
A Musical Journey Through the Day
by Judy Mahoney
The award-winning musical series, perfect for beginners. Learn useful words
of everyday life, including greetings, numbers, colors, days of the week,
family members, body parts and more. The Teach Me... series includes a delightfully
illustrated book with song lyrics and translations in English. For children
ages 2 and up.
18 Favorite Songs Including:
Are You Sleeping
La Cucaracha
The Wheels on the Car
Jack & Jill
Buenas Noches Mis Amigos
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes
...and many more!
Teach Me More... Spanish
A Musical Journey Through the Year
by Judy Mahoney
More songs, more learning, more fun! Teach Me More... continues the learning
adventure with more songs and an advanced vocabulary. The second level celebrates
the seasons and introduces you to the beach, the zoo, a museum and celebrates
the holidays and a birthday party. The More series includes a delightfully
illustrated book with song lyrics and translations in English. For children
ages 2 and up.
18 Favorite Songs Including:
De Colores
Going to the Zoo
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Simon Says
Silent Night
Months of the Year
...and many more!
Teach Me Even More... Spanish
21 Songs to Sing with Pen Pals
by Judy Mahoney
The Even More series brings international friends together as they share the
excitement of receiving letters from across the globe. Teach Me...Even More
expands the vocabulary even further, encourages dialog between friends and
explores cultural similarities and differences. The Even More series includes
a delightfully illustrated book with song lyrics and translations in English.
For children ages 2 and up.
21 Favorite Songs Including:
To Everyone in All the World
La Pulga de San José
Who Stole the Cookies?
Our Mother Earth
If You're Happy and You Know It
Bingo
...and many more!
Teach Me... Spanish Spiritual Songs
21 Songs, Stories and Prayers to Sing with Children!
by Judy Mahoney and Anne Mahoney
Learn classic songs from Sunday school and Bible Camp. 21 songs with activities,
prayers and stories perfect for children ages 2 and up. 60 minutes of audio
accompanied with illustrated book and translations.
21 Favorite Songs Including:
The Butterfly Song
When the Saints Go Marching In
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
...and many more!
Greek ' n' Stuff
These books teach Greek and Latin slowly so the student will not suddenly encounter a page that is too difficult. Taught with the goal of gaining knowledge of the language for future help in understanding God's word. Each set includes pronunciation CD, flash cards on a ring, quizzes and exams, answer key, and workbook. The readers are a wonderful tool to use even if you are just teaching Greek history. Very simple and well thought out.
Hey Andrew, Teach me Some Greek: learn to recognize and write the 24 greek letters. Contains puzzles and activities.
Latin's not so Tough: Learn the Latin alphabet, diphthongs, and consonant sounds. This study helps make sense of the exceptions to phonics rules! Activities are included.
Signing Time
If you have a young baby that is always grunting or crying for what they want, or if you would like to teach your children some sign language, these are the perfect tool! A wonderful series of DVDs professionally done to engage your child. Great to watch and learn as a family! Our children really enjoy these. The song at the beginning is very catchy. These were made by a mom after her daughter, Leah, was born deaf. They are very high quality and professionally made. The best, most useful signing product I have found. They do not contain any Christian material, but are not offensive in any way.
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