Platiquemos FSI Spanish Language Program for Spanish fluently

This approach to learning Spanish concentrates on Spanish as it is spoken in Latin America, home to 90% of the world's Spanish speakers. (If you are looking for Castilian Spanish as spoken in Spain, take a look at AURALOG TeLL Me More Spanish software).

Platiquemos FSI Spanish Language Program is based on the American Foreign Service Spanish training program. This course has evolved, tested by use, and improved over a period of many years. It draws on the considerable experience and expertise of the American Foreign Service and Departments of Defense, Education and other government agencies.

Method: The approach is a careful mixture of many methods: direct, audio-lingual; communicative; grammar/translation method and what they describe as 'guided imitation'.

GOAL of Platiquemos FSI Spanish Language Program

is to teach you to SPEAK Spanish fluency, with little or no accent and to do this without conscious effort, as you would speak your own language. An ambitious aim, certainly. Platiquemos sets about this objective with a business-like approach and there is plenty of evidence that it works. It has already worked for 1,000s.

Two aspects of learning Spanish are stressed

  • The need not just to learn basics, but to OVER-learn each dialogue, each drill. This will enable you to make rapid progress.
  • AUTHENTICITY is also stressed. Platiquemos Spanish course teaches you Spanish as it is spoken in actual conversations. Accurate IMITATION is the goal and the need for speaking at a normal tempo is also stressed.

What you get in the Platiquemos Spanish Language Course

Each course is broken into 55 units. You are recommended to spend approx. 5 - 8 hours at each unit. This works out at about 5-600 hours. So, this is a serious course is not for slouches!

I liked the empasis at the start on pronounciation. Spanish pronounciation does not present undue problems for English speakers, but this investment in pronounciation practice early on pays off handsome dividends later.

Dialogues deal with real situations in a mythical Latin American country.

Positive aspects of Platiquemos Spanish Language Course

  1. A sound focus on prononciation early on. This will pay handsome dividends later.
  2. The careful, over-learning of basic dialogues was recommended - a wise course.
  3. Lots of cultural background information, mostly supplied in English.
  4. A great selection of traditional Latin American songs: El Condor Pasa;
    Las MAÑANITAS; EN MI VIEJO SAN JUAN etc.
    Songs are a terrific way to develop confidence, familiarity with a new language.

The Platiquemos Spanish Course is widely used all over America. There is a network of schools abroad anchored in Cuernavaca in Mexico who have been using the Platiquemos Spanish course since 1994.

What you get in the Plaatiquemos Spanish Langauge Course

  • 8 CD-ROMS
  • 199 page textbook
  • All presented in a practical case.

I leave the last word to Lawrence S. Eagleburger (April 1998)

…thanks to the quality of the methods used, I was able to go from no competence in the language to an almost bi-lingual facility in only a few months. I know of no method of teaching a foreign language that even approaches the quality of FSI program.'



Sound praise indeed!

Find out more about the Platiquemos Spanish Language Course

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