Instant Immersion Language Lab (8 CD-ROM)

List Price: $29.99

Customer Reviews:

'Talk Now' and 'World Talk' deliver as stated [Posted on 2000-10-30]
If you want a program to teach you how to speak the basics in a fast, fun, simple way, this would be a good one. If you want a program that will teach you as if you were taught in school, including grammar, writing, and verb conjugation(I did, she saw, we went, etc.), you will probably be disappointed. This program gives you two CD-ROM's per language, one for basics, one for intermediate level learning. The first CD, "Talk Now" gives you excercises in foods, colors, phrases, body parts, numbers, time, shopping, and countries. Under each heading, you play two word games, record yourself speaking and compare it to native speakers(your computer needs a microphone to do this), print vocabulary flash cards, and play a "Memory"-style game with the words you learned. They work on the premise that people remember things better if they've learned in fun situations. Though a bit cheesy at times, it _is_ fun, and you _will_ build your basic vocabulary. The second CD jumps more to full sentences, listening skills, identification, and writing dictation, all still in game-like form. It's a bit of a leap in knowlege, and can be a bit frustrating, but it's a good start for 'learning by listening', much as you would if you were struggling in the actual country, only without making a fool of yourself. At this level, if you have never been exposed to the language, the help/? icon becomes your best friend. Still little in grammar and verb forms, though. To get the most out of it, I would also recommend purchasing a pocket dictionary of the language(s), and maybe even one of those "500 [the language] Verbs" books, so you can actually have a better understanding of your vocabulary and how to form sentences. Overall, these programs are fun & effective as a means of learning to speak, by yourself (or with a friend), on your own time.

The best and the cheapst! [Posted on 2001-07-24]
This program lets you learn 4 languages for $30! If I wanted to d tha at learnalanguage.com, I would have to pay up to $600. Ths is awesome!

Couldn't even get past installation [Posted on 2001-11-16]
Installation of the German TalkNow module would hang with no explanation on Windows 98SE. I "Opened" the CD next and tried to launch instal32.exe and instal16.exe manually instead of from autorun. Both hanged. When I attempted to autorun the CD again it produced an error message "Astra32 - System Error -5, 12, 0". The only printed documentation consists of a poorly xeroxed page inside the box with installation instructions for Windows 3.1, 95/98, and a Mac.

This product definitely did not impress me.

Good up until the 3rd CD [Posted on 2001-12-19]
I've been working with the IM German now for some time (it's part of the 4 CD set). I had fun and learned at a faster pace with the first CD. The 2nd CD was quite a jump. I think you have to do a little studying on the outside before 'mastering' this CD. However! I tried out the Dictionary CD, and it is HORRIBLE!!! I've been studying German long enough now that the speaker isn't even pronouncing the words right. It sounds like someone reading the words for the first time. Be careful this CD can throw you off. If someone has a explanation for this let me know!

Amazingly easy to learn French course [Posted on 2002-11-10]
I never thought that Fench would be as easy as it is. Really amazing French course for novel people into that language. First step in learning. Great multimedia development, in order to improve pronuntiation. If this is your choice for your first French classes, you are right, this is the best choice.

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