Publisher: Syracuse Language Games, which also offers Spanish courses through the Internet, developed this CD-Rom. is responsible for this CD-ROM. With a newsletter, and award-winning CD-ROMS already under its belt, this is one of the most distinguished producers of CD-ROMS that promote language learning.
This CD-ROM is a worthwhile purchase for any child old enough to handle a computer without continuously breaking it. While its attractive, crayon-colored graphics are designed with children in mind, its games prove beneficial for adults who are learning Spanish too. Even if you know Spanish, the games happily provide some worth, as many are dependent as much on the player's memory as on his vocabulary recognition.
In terms of computers, it works on a whole variety of PC-compatible computers. If you have a Multimedia P.C., a Microsoft Windows 3.1 (or later), or an MS-DOS operating system (version 3.1 or higher), then the installation should be easy as dividing "cuatro" in two. While I did not personally try installing it with an MSCDEX computer (version 2.2. or higher), the success I had with all the other models suggests that this model would work fine too. In terms of actual playing, it should be noted -- especially for those keeping score (in Spanish, I hope) -- that I played the CD-ROM solely on a Microsoft Windows 3.1 model. [Top of Page]
The short pamphlet appended to this CD-ROM is remarkably fine. Besides presenting basic instructions on how to work the games, it discusses the theories which dictated how the games would appear. It adds information based on psychological findings, saying that children under five - by not being motivated by a win/lose format - would do best if a parent played alongside him. In addition, it says that the levels should not be seen as going from novice to expert. Rather, the different levels of difficulty should rather be seen as different styles of fun. It suggests, at all times, that the user should play the game which gives him the most enjoyment. As for myself, I enjoyed a Simon Says-style game involving verbs, where the user has to identify the action of a child before getting on a lovely sailboat. [Top of Page]
The purpose of the game is to introduce the user to the basics of the Spanish language. While its focus is more on vocabulary and pronunciation, an amount of grammatical rules are learned by the user, as well. The games do not feature translations, as it's been seen that pure immersion into a language works best. However, those at Syracuse Language Systems have been careful not to make the game too intimidating. The pictures corresponding to the Spanish words are always clear, and wrong answers - when they are made - are always treated by the soft-hearted computer with kind words (albeit ones in Spanish).
Again and again, stress is made that the games should be fun. In order for this goal to reach fruition, most of these Spanish games are modelled after classics of our own culture (like Bingo). All, in my opinion, are quite pleasent and beautifully designed. While the majority of the games are to be played by only one, it should be said that there are a few --such as a somewhat difficult numbers game -- where a parent, or another child, can play along. [Top of Page]
Among its special features are the sequential-memory games, where the user needs to know the meaning of the word, and also the order in which it was shown. This, for me, proved rather difficult, as old age has made my memory quite poor. In addition, one has to mention the sheer ease in which the games can be played, and the sheer beauty in all the graphics. As the first CD-ROM from Syracue Language Systems that I'm familiar with, it makes me eager to acquaint myself with more. [Top of Page]
For a child, the worth of this CD-ROM seems immense to me. Learning languages should be fun, and this CD-ROM is designed so that it will be nothing but joy. Its ease of use, and simplicity to install, makes it a hindrance to practically no one in the PC environment.
In addition to its fun quotient, these games simply work in building one's foreign vocabulary. It is very apparent that considerable planning went into the creation of this CD-ROM, and all this reviewer can do is applaud.
Well, I can also recommend this CD-ROM for educators simply wanting to know how to design good multimedia teaching assignments. As for adults, the rigor of this CD-ROM is not immense and might be less rewarding than the Internet classes that Syracuse Language Systems also offers.
Another site that might be preferred by adults, if only because it is free, can be found at this address. Tell them Theodore Defosse sent you, if such a statement strikes yor fancy.
[One last time for you to jump to the top of the page] Reviewed by Theodore Defosse on 5/3/97.