AT A GLANCE
- Makes use of MP3 files
- Can be used on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X
Ever since I finished my studies at the end of last year I've been looking for a new challenge to sink my teeth into. Something to self-enrich, to challenge, but most of all something that I would enjoy doing. I've always been very fond of languages and I tend to pick them up rather easily, so when Phoenix presented me with the opportunity to test their language software I was over the moon. But then I had to decide on a language. The Transparent range offers, amongst other things, German, Italian, Spanish and French....I've always wanted to be able to speak all of these! After much careful consideration I finally settled on German for 2 very simple reasons: 1) I have a number of German friends I can practice on and 2) It is one of the widest understood European languages.
Transparent German Premium Edition is a full language course with a lesson plan designed to develop your conversational fluency. The software provides solutions for learners to take basic vocabulary and quickly progress to more advanced comprehension. German texts, videos and stories are utilised to emphasise grammar, reading, listening and conversational skills. The software covers 15,000 words and phrases with video and native speaker audio that helped me improve my pronunciation. The software makes use of MP3 files that can be used with an iPod or any other MP3 player which means that learning is not confined to your laptop.
The software is available for Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher with Safari, and is super fast and easy to install. It takes under 5 minutes from start to finish and then you are on your way to a brighter language future.
The software allows you to move through the lessons at your own pace and keeps record of your progress, which is awesome if like me, you also tend to NOT do your language lessons for days on end and then can't remember which lesson you did last. At the end of each lesson there is a test that you can perform to ensure that you've mastered the vocabulary or phrases in that section before moving on. While these aren't required in order to move onto the next lesson, I found them to be extremely helpful in committing what I've learned to memory.
I was particularly impressed by the fact that during these little tests they test 1) understanding in reading 2) understanding of the audio and 3) writing. So not only will I be able to speak German by the time I'm done, I'll also be able to both read and write it properly with all the little squiggles and all the correct spelling and everything.
I was at initially surprised to find that the first couple of lessons revolve mainly around learning general vocabulary. While this is important I had expected it to start off in the same way as most other language tutorials which pretty much teach you phrases in order to learn the language. However, I think their approach of teaching you all the basic words first was brilliant and highly effective.
I think the only thing I don't like so far is the fact that when you have to do typing in order to complete your tests you can't make use of the computer's keyboard. There is a keyboard on the screen and you have to click on the letters with your mouse in order to type out the words. This I found to be time consuming and rather annoying.
So while I am by no means speaking German fluently or with great confidence JUST yet, I am happy to report that my understanding of the language, both in conversation and in writing has increased by about a hundred fold. I was very excited the other night when I realised I could understand the bulk of a conversation that my German friend and his mother were having....previously my brain literally switched off when they started speaking to each other in German. I'm pretty shy about actually using the words and phrases I have learned thus far, but according to the selected few who were honoured enough to hear me utter a few words my pronunciation was quite good, and this I can assure you is completely due to the audio clips that form part of the software. All in all I'm impressed and definitely looking forward to working through the whole package.
So watch out all my German friends...no more gossiping about Ruby in German!
Turn ons:
- The software tracks your progress and remembers which lesson you should do next
- Test your knowledge at the end of every lesson
- The software comes with audio clips in order to improve pronunciation
- Can work at your own pace
Turn offs:
- When having to type during the tests you need to make use of a keyboard on your screen using your mouse to type
