Talk Spanish Coursebook

by Aurora Longo

Ten easy-to-follow units form the short Spanish course for absolute beginners. Designed for adults learning at home or in a class, the "Talk" courses are suitable for those wanting to learn either for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0563400722
• ISBN13: 9780563400721
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: BBC Active
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Talk Spanish from BBC Talk

This ubiquitous little publication, from BBC Talk, appears to be in short supply, such is the current demand for learning Spanish from us English folk, it would seem. If one were to suppose that every reader of Talk Spanish had made its' purchase with the intention of relocating at some time in the future, (once the language had been properly assimilated of course), then the UK population will surely begin to dwindle?The book itself is of a similar format to many other 'learn to speak..' texts: the structure is a simple combination of word and grammar familiarising exercises, along with frequent tests, both written and oral, designed to confirm one's level at each stage and build confidence through familiarity.Additional aids,(in the form of cassette tape or cd), may be purchased with the book. These work alongside the text to help with oral familiarisation, and, as such, are an important factor. Especially if you, like me, tend to attempt any foreign language with an accent copied from 'Allo Allo'. The particular downfall of these listen and learn type exercises is the abundant use of bad music used to link sections together. Combined with the inferior mixing, (the music is rather louder than the speech), this factor alone was enough to make me hesitent of using the tapes.As a learning tool, Talk Spanish is intended to give a level of understanding of light general conversation after a period of ten weeks, (if, like me, you are using it as the text for a weekly evening class), and, as such, is ideal for the beginner. As with learning any language, familiarity leads to confidence, and the excercises in Talk Spanish are simple and repetitive enough to ensure that the information sticks. I would recommend, however, that the additional tapes or cd are purchased with the book, as pronunciation is key in being able to converse. And on completion of the book, of course, we have given ourselves a valid excuse for that holiday in Spain, in order to practise what we've learned. Perhaps free BBC holiday vouchers should be given away with every hundredth book sold?further comments from james alabaster may be found on www.animadesign.co.uk/contemporary writing.htm