"Not only is Spanish similar to English, but Spanish is approachable in many ways. If you are an English speaker and you want to learn a language, and you're over 12, go for Spanish. That's the one that will beat you up the least."John McWhorter, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, in Lecture 34 of "The Story of Human Languages" published by The Teaching Company
I have found that there are several Spanish language learning programs that can get you to a decent level of proficiency if you are actually serious and follow the programs as designed. These programs can even be used to prepare yourself prior to going to a Spanish speaking country to learn Spanish if that is the learning approach you choose.
While there are some programs that stand out above others, there is no program that is perfect for all situations and needs.
If you are going to take the time and make the effort to learn Spanish, which Spanish language learning programs offer the best approach to meeting your goal? In this series of reviews we'll take a look at the more popular and top self study Spanish language learning programs, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with our recommendations.
Here is what Toni Roman has to say about Learn Spanish Like Crazy, Level 1
Learning Spanish Like Crazy is in an audio based format, use it while driving, exercising, walking the dog, or whatever. And no boring textbooks and exercises to do. However, for those who are visual learners, as well as to teach reading skills, Learning Spanish Like Crazy also includes complete transcripts of each of the lessons.
The methodology used in the Learning Spanish Like Crazy is very simliar to the Pimsleur method but introduces new vocabulary much faster. Additionally, by providing the transcripts, you can actually match the spoken Spanish lessons with the transcripts and learn to read Spanish at the same time. This is something that is lacking in the current Pimsleur products. The Pimsleur "reading booklet" is really a pronunciation aid, but does not teach reading and without a transcript available, you do not know who the words you are learning are spelled. This is a problem my daughter faced when using Pimsleur Italian and Pimsleur French.
If you are looking to learn basic conversational Latin American Spanish quickly, then this is the course for you. If you are learning Spanish because you plan to go to Spain, then you should look elsewhere.
Learning Spanish Like Crazy has just recently come out with a level two that will carry you through Intermediate Spanish and is excellent in teaching the subjunctive tense (normally one of the more difficult aspects of Spanish to learn for English speakers).
Audio MP3 files (downloadable version) that you can burn to CD or load to your PDA or iPOD
Basic Latin American Spanish
Native Spanish Speakers so you learn correct pronounciation
Comes in either shipped or downloadable versions
Inexpensive (download version)
Second Level Program Available
Cons:
Sales page disparages traditional Spanish language-learning programs but then praises FSI Spanish which it offers as a bonus if you order the more expensive CD version. If FSI is so good, why was Learning Spanish Like Crazy created?
Highly Recommended
Learning Spanish Like Crazy is in an audio based format, use it while driving, exercising, walking the dog, or whatever. And no boring textbooks and exercises to do. However, for those who are visual learners, as well as to teach reading skills, Learning Spanish Like Crazy also includes complete transcripts of each of the lessons.