Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent self-teaching language package, 19 Jul 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme (What's this?)
I wanted to learn Spanish but have neither the time nor money to attend a regular course - I've downloaded these CDs onto my MP3 player and am very impressed by them. The course is broken into easy-to-digest units, and you are encouraged to learn a little, then take a break.
The recordings are clear, and authentic. I felt the "teachers" were friendly and their crisp yet relaxed approach means you are interested in what you're listening to, and you don't feel lectured.
It's early days but I feel my confidence with Spanish improving and I would recommend this course - and others by Collins - to anyone.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A vibrant new way to learn Spanish., 28 Aug 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme (What's this?)
The Collins easy learning is a quick and simple way to pick up the language. Many of these types of language learning programs promise big things and dont deliver.
The learning program is split up into 12 short units which introduces 5 keywords and phrases per unit. To aid the understanding of each unit, there are sections on culture and etiquette. This is most helpful in adopting the spoken language, and this approach is a new idea I've not come across before within these learning packages and I have to say it works really well when trying to adopt the language into a conversation.
It also gives a better understanding of which words to use and why and will improve word selection dramatically. This is by no means an advanced learning package, so don't expect to be speaking fluent Spanish within a few weeks because that's not going to happen. What you can expect is to learn how to use the language properly. It will heighten confidence greatly to take the language to the next level or if your happy to get by at the intermediate level then look no further.
The package is a complete bargain, and contains transcripts of the CD's. I recommend putting the CD's onto an MP3 player. I have done the course twice now and even though I'm no Spanish linguist I can speak Spanish much more confidently now. I certainly wouldn't feel stupid using it abroad any more.
A great product at a great price don't miss out.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
English people don't learn foreign languages ..., 17 Jul 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme (What's this?)
... even in school. Instead they learn to speak languages - the focus is on collections of phrases, leaning heavily on cognates, with little time spent on context, grammar, or formal learning of vocabulary. Unsurprisingly, few Anglophones are able to remember much of any foreign languages within a year or two of leaving school.
If you really want to learn to speak Spanish this way (and to be honest, that's about as much as most people do), then the Collins Easy Learning Spanish is as good a way to do it as any other. It is audio-based, with hardly any written material - you are encouraged to stick it onto your MP3 player for practice. The course is structured to give you a catalogue of phrases that will allow you to get by in Spanish. It is clear, uses sensible strategies for word retention (repetition, word association) and progressive, with a good focus on pronunciation which is an area where English people are frequently weak. Collins has a reputation for being solid in matters related to language, and this is a good product at the cheap end of the market.
For myself, even with a relatively shallow grasp of grammar, I found it frustrating in lesson 2 to separately learn the phrases: "Donde esta el hotel" "Donde esta el ascensor" "Donde esta el restaurante" etc. when I could have learned the verb "estar" and some vocabulary, which would have opened up "Donde estamos" "Donde esta la iglesia" without having to learn them separately. A more grammar-based course (like Spanish: Beginner's CD Language Course (Hugo in Three Months CD Language Course)), although less accessible, would result in a better real understanding of how Spanish works. But I know I'm swimming against the tide in suggesting this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Hmm...Este esta bueno!
I have a son, 13, who, believe it or not, is enjoying using these CD's as much as me. He's just started Spanish at school.
Published 3 months ago by Sassy Brit
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5.0 out of 5 stars
collins easy learning spanish... brilliant
3 cds. easy to use book as well
highly reccomend for anyone wanting to speak spanish...
Published 4 months ago by stevey
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Published 4 months ago by Richard Williams
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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Easy to use , nice simple short sections, clearly spoken. Ideal to learn at your own speed
Published 5 months ago by G. W. CREESE
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3.0 out of 5 stars
amazons request granted
Amazon keep asking me to review this even though I never actually received it! I did receive the Polish course and assume this is in a similar style, which is to say based around...
Published 7 months ago by A. J. Gauld
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4.0 out of 5 stars
ok to begin with
The idea of learning a new language without paying lots or having to go to a class sounds great, but you'll need a great deal of self discipline to do it - something I can't say I...
Published 7 months ago by Ray
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
Whether you are school studying for GCSE Spanish, undertaking a Spanish course at night school or maybe planning to live in Spain, this 3CD learning pack is highly recommended.
Published 9 months ago by D. Evans
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Decent elementary and ungimmicky programme
Straightforward and ungimmicky, i found the easiest way of using it was to transfer it to my MP3 player so i could use it on my commute.
Published 10 months ago by The Navigator
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4.0 out of 5 stars
my spanish has improved
i have loaded this onto my ipod and its helping me to improve my Spanish already. the disc's and book make it eaasy to learn the basics (mainly phrases) which you can build on,...
Published 11 months ago by Ms. S. J. Smith
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy help with ordering your fry-up!
The Collins Easy Learning Spanish does exactly what it says on the tin (well almost!). GCSE students of any grade will not find this package helpful as it really does concentrate...
Published 11 months ago by R. Wallace
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by Michael Gruneberg
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
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