Price: $32.97

December 17, 2008.

Easy to use lessons create rapid results..

Rating: 4
This set is easy to use. You just put in the cds and start learning. At first, you may have to just imitate the sounds as much as you can. That is how babies learn, I think, and it seems to be an excellent method. The way the lessons are set up allows you to guess the correct translation, which is kind of fun like a game. On the third or fourth time through the first and second disk, I find my subconscious mind supplies the correct translations about 25% of the time when I guess. Also the pronunciation is demonstrated by male and female speakers in alternating sections. So it is not boring, it is easy to use, and it seems to be working. I can already say important phrases like, "quisiera algo mas barato por favor."

I appreciate the compact cd wallet that holds the complete set and booklets. These handy enclosures contain the entire printed text (transcript) of the lessons. Reviewing the words 'offline' or when I am not driving seems to clarify and solidify the spellings of the words in my mind. This also helps my memory just to take the words in through a different hole. You know, ears + eyes. I appreciate that this item is compact and convenient.

This item seems to complement (not completely supersede) my other spanish language studies. I would recommend it for the person who is 1) in entry level spanish classes now and wants to get a strong advantage, 2) person who took spanish years ago and wants to refresh your knowledge, and 3) person who has a long commute (like me) and wants to enhance existing skills to get beyond "hablo un poco."

The only danger I have observed is that sometimes merging in and out of heavy traffic, I become distracted from the lessons by the road. In that case I just stop repeating phrases and concentrate on driving until less intense conditions come about. You can always go back later to review what you have missed. Be safe and have fun learning spanish!

December 16, 2008.

Great Second Level Spanish Course.

Rating: 5
About 1.5 years ago, I bought Behind the Wheel Spanish I and II. And just couple weeks ago, I bought Learn in Your Car Spanish and Drive Time Spanish to try to advance my Spanish ability. I like the fact that both Behind the Wheel and Learn in Your Car spend most of the time doing Spanish drills with two Spanish repetitions. I very frequently listen more closely to the second repetition to hear a nuance I misunderstood during the first translation. Since I am always driving, rewinding every minute or two for this purpose as is necessary with "Drive Time Spanish" is not safe or reasonable. (Drive Time Spanish didn't survive the week in my car for several reasons. Read my review under it if you are interested in hearing why.)

I highly recommend the Behind the Wheel courses (at least I and II that I have so far totalling 16 hours) and follow them with, or just get them at the same time as, the Learn in Your Car Spanish course for another 9 hours. Behind the Wheel covers the basics including numbers, lots of verbs, nouns, and sentence structure. And it clearly explains the grammar and conjugation but does it briefly enough that it doesn't wear you out the 50th time I repeat the lesson. The Learn in Your Car course includes 100's of sentences of all types including things like current technology and the internet, etc. I really like the combination of these two courses and I am starting to think perhaps even I will be able to speak Spanish some day... :)

P.S. I do not have Behind the Wheel III yet for comparison but I have it preordered and should be getting it next month (1/2009).

Hope this helps someone.
Thanks,
Steve.

December 13, 2008.

Better With Behind the Wheel Spanish.

Rating: 4
No doubt about it, Behind the Wheel Spanish Behind the Wheel - Spanish 1 is still the winner in 'learn Spanish as you drive' courses.
While I enjoy 'Learn in Your Car Spanish' I can't help but be put off by the stale repetition and lack of creativity.

December 12, 2008.

Great beginner to intermediate Spanish program.

Rating: 5
This program is a great beginning to intermediate Spanish program. The pace is good. There is a good variety of all Spanish language aspects.

December 23, 2008.

Good product.

Rating: 4
I've had the CD's for a couple of weeks, and I think this is a good product. The small Books that come with the CD's are also helpful.