Platiguemos Spanish, a terrific Audio Spanish Learning Course

Platiquemos Spanish Course

We are attempting an evaluation of Platiguemos Spanish Course. Let's start with a basic assumption: as far as I can tell, there is no easy way to learn Spanish. It takes a lot of time and discipline to really learn a foreign language. 600 hours is what the experts calculate is what it will take you to acquire basic fluency in ANT language (Threshold Level in EU parlance or, ).

However, Platiquemos Learn Spanish (it's an 8 level programme) is one of the few courses that can take you from the beginning to the end - fluency.

About Platiguemos Spanish and its Author, Don Casteel

Don Casteel spent over twenty years in the U.S. Foreign Service. Don achieved during his career full professional proficiency in five languages, including Spanish. Don, now Editor of Platiquemos Spanish, has tried to bring both his language learning experience and his experience with the Latin culture to both Platiquemos's students.

What you Get with Platiguemos Spanish Course

• Audio CD: 199 pages
• Publisher: Multilingual Books; Book & CD edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN: 1582141827
• Spanish FSI Basic Course Platiquemos Version Vol 1 (8 CD's and Book) (Audio CD)
• Book Description
  The world's best learn Spanish Course just got better! Don Casteel , fluent in several languages and a former Foreign Service Officer, has completely revised and improved "the course that works." This 2002 Edition of Platiguemos Spanish, has improved audio with both male and female voices and over 200 illustrations with factoids, and the content is more contemporary than ever . This new version has retained the same grammatical and language content that has made this the most widely sold course on the language market. This basic Spanish Course is designed if you need to learn a language completely and quickly .

Level 5 Platiguemos Spanish Course, once completed, will enable you to understand spoken and written Spanish with an abundant vocabulary of several thousand words.

With the Pimsleur Spanish, you can learn at his or her own pace. You can work one unit per week; you can work Pimsleur Spanish either faster -- or, slower. It it is your decision. Consistent effort is the key.

If you are really serious about learning Spanish, this is the course for you. It will be well worth your investment.

Platiquemos Spanish is first and foremost an Audio Spanish Learning Course. However, although you'll be glad you have all the text in the course, 90% of the time, you can study away from the written materials. That's great if you commute. The course will teach you how to read though, so you won't be illiterate when your done. You'll be able to speak, read, and understand Spanish.

Readings

Readings provide content information for oral summaries. Readings provide information about the Spanish, Hispanic world, sometimes providing valuable insights into practical problems you might

Want to a few read Testimonials?

Former Secretary of State of the United States Lawrence Eagleburger:
"I am a firm believer in the Foreign Service Institute's Spanish language program … I know of no method of teaching a foreign language that even approaches the quality of the Platiquemos FSI program." Lawrence S. Eagleburger, April 1998

How Platiquemos Spanish Course Works

The Platiquemos Method is known as guided imitation . It may appear new, but it actually has been used by a considerable number of teachers for many years. As used in this program, it combines elements of all mainstream methods; other methodologies, such as Total Physical Response can also be used with the program.

The Platiquemos Goal

to teach students to speak easily, fluently, with very little accent, and to do this without conscious effort, just as one speaks their own language without conscious effort.

Two important aspects of the Platiquemos Method

• You learn a relatively small body of material so well that it requires very little effort to produce it - this is called overlearning . If the student overlearns every dialogue and drill as they goes through this program, they will almost certainly make rapid progress in learning the language
  
• You learn to manipulate Spanish Sounds, Spanish sequences, and Spanish language patterns of the language. Pronunciation Units 1 & 2 focus on pronunciation. The importance of pronunciation cannot be over-emphasized; it is the basis of all real fluency. The more accurate your pronunciation, the better you will be understood.

Aids to Listening

Remember: Spanish is spelled phonetically . You will easily learn differences between English and Spanish. With Platiquemos Spanish, you watch Spanish TV; engage in conversation with Spanish speakers, where practical etc.

Good pronunciation is first of all the result of careful listening and imitation. Work hard on pronounciation from the start; this will pay off handsomely

Basic Dialogues

The basic dialogues are the core of each unit. Dialogues are re-creations of real-life situations. New vocabulary is introduced mainly in the basic dialogues.

Drills and Grammar

Bsic dialogues are the theme, and the drills provide the variations. Patterns of the structure of the language which have been learned in the basic sentences are expanded and manipulated in the drills.

Pattern drills provide both practice and explanation. First there appears a presentation of the pattern to be drilled, then various kinds of drills, and finally a more detailed discussion of the pattern.

Drills are mainly exercises that make substitutions, responses, and translations, highlighting the grammar points covered. They are devised for oral answers to oral stimuli.

The strength of this course is that it covers the entire range of grammatical structures necessary to effectively communicate in the language.

Conversation

Readings

Reading materials tell a continued story about an American family living in Surlandia, expanding on matters of interest hinted at in the basic dialogues. These require no new vocabulary except for easy and obvious cognate loan words that can readily be guessed.

Platiguemos Spanish, a state of the art Audio Spanish learning programme

If you are considering investing in an Audio Spanish Course, Platiguemos may well be just what you are looking for. The audio approach has considerable advantages over, for example, a multimedia course. For a start, it is portable. You can learn Spanish in your car, while out jogging ... just about anywhere.