New Ways to Learn

Novel approaches to language learning

In an effort to circumvent traditional language learning structures, some software manufacturers have adopted novel approaches to teaching new languages. One such attempt is adventure-based software, in which learners absorb language skills while navigating their way through a game-type adventure, often in a full-immersion environment. Mia's Language Adventure by Kutoka Software (*Est. $30) , one of the most successful adventure-based language software options, is designed for young learners and provides instruction in both Spanish and French. In reviews at Learning Village and SuperKids Educational Software Review, young testers especially enjoyed the way games are worked into the story environment to teach word recognition, spelling, reading and grammar at three levels of difficulty.

Also aiming at learning through entertainment, the JumpStart Spanish program by Knowledge Adventure (*Est. $20) uses activities, games, stories and songs to teach Spanish. Designed for non-readers in the three-to-six-year-old age bracket, JumpStart Spanish has a lively pace and a light intensity. Reviewers at Discovery Education and SuperKids Educational Software Review like the fact that, rather than striving for vocabulary memorization or grammar mastery, this program anticipates that young learners will pick up a new language along the way as they are being entertained by videos, songs and other multimedia treats. For more focused learning, a challenge mode is available.

Adapting musical language training for the adult learner, The Musical Linguist developed The Complete Musical Spanish Set (*est. $40). This set encourages users to learn Spanish through ten catchy and cultural Spanish songs and corresponding worksheets and activities. Discovery Education reviewers liked the lessons, which go hand-in-hand with the songs and teach basic Spanish concepts, while games, quizzes, pronunciation tools, animations and karaoke help reinforce learning. An additional CD-ROM has a more intensive Spanish tutorial for learners who want to deepen their knowledge.

Using many of the same entertainment concepts as JumpStart and Musical Spanish, the Habla Espanol CD-ROM from Standard Deviants (*est. $10) teaches Spanish to teens and tweens in an upbeat, modern style. Based loosely on the popular Standard Deviants show on public television, Spanish is presented to learners in a non-threatening way, incorporating over two hours of video, humorous skits and crazy animations. While this is not a serious or comprehensive study of Spanish, it is a creative take on learning a language that appeals to most teenage audiences. The Habla Espanol CD-ROM makes an excellent supplement to a classroom language course, as it is fun, light, entertaining and, as Shane Mooney of PC Magazine put it, "enough to get by," even in Spanish-speaking locales.

A final novel approach to language learning software is actually a return to a more traditional classroom approach. A company called Fluenz leads the field in this concept with the Fluenz 1&2 Combo Pack (*Est. $300). Available in a variety of popular languages, Fluenz software aims to have beginners speaking a new language faster than any other language learning software through a video tutor approach. Software.com and French Courseware reviewers enjoyed the learner-centric presentation, which involves active instruction by a video teacher who interacts with students virtually. Reviewers and testers also praise the focus on building connections between the first language and the new language, concentrating on learning that is relevant and presenting the most common and well-remembered words and phrases first.

Whether selecting a comprehensive program or a quick study, those seeking language software must sift through a broad field of options to find the program most suited to their needs. When selecting a fairly common language, Internet research and/or consultation with experts should be adequate. When training in a more obscure language is required, a useful resource is the National Foreign Languages Resource Center managed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The searchable database is located online and can be set to a number of parameters and preferences, producing a list of suitable software choices, as well as other media.