JanineCALLblog

Software/Website Title: Visual Link Spanish

Website URL: http://www.learnspanishtoday.com

Grade/Age Level: 6^th grade-adult

Language & Content:

What is the intended purpose of the software or website?

The purpose is to sell the Visual Link Spanish program.

What is the content of the software or website and how is it presented?

The content includes: sentence building, numbers, greetings, survival expressions, grammar, locations, colors, becoming acquainted, and daily objects. The words and phrases are printed on the screen with little drawings, and a voice says the content that you see, with time provided to repeat after the model. Quizzes require the learner to orally translate English words and phrases into Spanish.

What external documents does the software or website include? Are they effective?

There are no external documents.

In what ways is the software or website interesting to the target audience?

The content is interesting because it is high-frequency vocabulary and structures. The drawings that accompany the text help with memorization by association.

For what language goal(s) is this software or website useful/effective?

This is useful for learning to say common phrases and ask questions.

Does this program or website offer practice? Assessment? Feedback? Of what kinds?

The practice comes in the form of verbal repetition after the model. The assessment is a self-assessment. Phrases are spoken in English, and the learner must say them in Spanish. The feedback comes after a pause when the audio provides the translation. For example, during the practice, the screen will show “red” and “rojo.” The learner will repeat “rojo.” During the quiz, the voice will say “red” and pause. The learner tries to say the translation and clicks on the answer button on the screen. The audio will say “rojo.”

Is this software or website easy to use?

This is easy to use. The directions are written and/or spoken. The user doesn’t need to know anything except how to read.

What are the strengths of this software or website?

The strengths are that the structures and vocabulary are useful, there is a lot of repetition, and it is easy to navigate the site.

How can this software or website be improved?

More content could be provided without so many ads. A function could be added to provide a written component.

# posted by Janine @ 11:17 PM