Showing posts with label espanol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label espanol. Show all posts

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns Up Close Review

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns Up Close
Average Reviews:

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When I showed the book Spanish Pronouns Up Close to my friend who is a native speaker of Spanish and a long-time educator of the language, she exclaimed, "Pronouns are one of the hardest things to learn!" Agreed. My experience shows that I understand pronouns better after teaching them year after year to my students.
This new handy book in a lightweight, portable size is not directed at a particular level, but rather is written for various levels. Beginners can get a grasp of the basics, intermediate-level students are able to gain a fuller understanding of the use of pronouns, and advanced students and educators can use it for reference. It can also help the teacher or professor who understands the use of pronouns, but needs help articulating the rules for students. Because of the lengthy descriptions of each type of pronoun (a chapter devoted to each type or function), it helps the more right-brained reader who prefers written descriptions and explanations. On the other hand, even the left-brained reader who enjoys the typical textbook chart, with its formula-driven efficiency, can benefit from the detailed explanations by checking their comprehension.


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Get up close and master Spanish pronouns

As you study Spanish you may view pronouns as obstacles to your full understanding of the language. Learning pronouns can be one of the most frustrating aspects of studying Spanish grammar, but it is also one of the most important for being understood and following what others say. By adding Spanish pronouns to your range of language skills, you will open up a whole new world of communication.

With plenty of opportunities for practice, practice, practice, Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns Up Close helps you better understand the nuances of this tricky grammar element and develop your skills and confidence as a Spanish speaker with:

Easy-to-absorb explanatory materials, examples, and exercises
Authoritative guidance on the different pronoun forms and when to use them
A comprehensive answer key that not only gives you the correct solutions to the exercises but explains the why behind them


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Monday, July 23, 2012

Communicating In Spanish (Novice Level) Review

Communicating In Spanish (Novice Level)
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I like this book and the others in the series. I use this book in my Adult Education classes and it works well. There is a need for more depth in practice excercises. The material is easy to follow by the novice and is low stress, just what is needed by people who are returning to school and want something that is easy yet productive.

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Confusing Textbooks? Missed Lectures? Not Enough Time?

Fortunately for you, there's Schaum's.

More than 40 million students have trusted Schaum's Outlines to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. In Schaum's foreign language outlines, you'll get hundreds of examples, helpful usage explanations, and practice exercises to test your skills.

Fully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know. Use Schaum's to shorten your study time-and get your best test scores!

Schaum's Outlines-Problem Solved.


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Friday, July 20, 2012

Spanish Among Amigos : Conversational Spanish Beyond the Classroom Review

Spanish Among Amigos : Conversational Spanish Beyond the Classroom
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The really standout feature of this book for me is how easy and fun it is to read. I consider myself fairly capable and passably fluent in conversational Spanish, but not only did I learn completely new and unexpected phrases and colloquial vocabulary in Spanish that had previously been beyond me, but Pepa and Pili (the main characters in the dialogues) had me chuckling and at times guffawing throughout. The author has a great sense of humor and a flair for refreshingly real-sounding conversation - not the stilted repartee you usually see in language books.
After reading this book you will no longer need to sneak peaks at the subtitles during Almodovar movies. This book is great fun to read and the exercises are quite challenging - a real help in moving your Spanish past the text book into the real world.

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One of the biggest hurdles to mastering a second language is learning how to speak naturally. Here is a humorous, one-of-a-kind program that teaches readers how to carry a conversation without sounding stilted or awkward. Spanish Among Amigosallows language learners to eavesdrop on two native speakers and their befuddled English-speaking friend Tom. As they talk about a host of topics, the reader becomes accustomed to conversing naturally in Spanish.

Each of the book's 21 units of dialogue includes:

A multiple-choice comprehension check
A vocabulary quiz
Hints on grammar and usage


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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation (Practice Makes Perfect Series) Review

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation (Practice Makes Perfect Series)
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As someone who studied a bit in the past, forgot some easy things, knew a few intermediate things, this great buy really gives you many fine points to help you start to actually speak the language. It's a book for someone who's already gone through a basic/elementary book. You'll get the maximum benefit if you pay attention to many parts of the conversations that aren't even emphasised: I'm referring to the tricky aspect of languages where you can't do word for word translations and the different way prepostions are used. Want to say "about" something in Spanish? Use "de"(!)--and there are many other little stumbling blocks like that, which will either frustrate you or, like me, fascinate you. Like I said, it's a great buy.

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Practice the Art of Conversation in Spanish!

Want to strike up a conversation with a native Spanish speaker but nervous that you're not ready? This book helps you overcome that obstacle and before you know it, you'll be speaking comfortably in your new native language.

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation is organized around twelve units that present realistic conversational situations, from making introductions to giving opinions and from making a date to telling a story. Using these engaging dialogues as a starting point, each unit is packed with helpful instruction on correct pronunciation, syntax, and word usage--in addition to lots of conversation-ready phrases that you will find indispensable as your fluency increases.

You will, of course, get plenty of practice, practice, practice using your new skills in conversation. Each dialogue is followed by a variety of exercises that not only give you the opportunity to put new concepts into action but also encourage you to construct personalized conversations. These lessons will reassure even the most grammar-phobic learners that they too can achieve a confident--and spontaneous--speaking style.

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation will help you:
Engage in dialogues that illustrate practical conversations
Expand your vocabulary
Get clarification of new concepts with numerous realistic examples
Reinforce your new conversational skills through extensive exercises

Before you know it, you'll find yourself confidently speaking Spanish with your Spanish-speaking friends--or ready to make new ones!


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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Stories from Spain / Historias de España (Side by Side Bilingual Books) (English and Spanish Edition) Review

Stories from Spain / Historias de España (Side by Side Bilingual Books) (English and Spanish Edition)
Average Reviews:

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Genevieve Barlow's Stories from Spain is part of a series of bilingual books containing legends from Spanish-speaking countries. (See my anonymous review of Barlow's Stories from Latin America, 15 April 2000). This is a good book for anyone learning intermediate Spanish. It contains eighteen legends from Spain, and through these stories, some of which date back to the Moors' conquest of Spain, one can get a sense of Spanish history and culture.
Although I enjoyed the tales, I don't think the book is as good as Stories from Latin America. In that collection, the stories are roughly four pages in length; in this book, they are only two pages long (two pages each of English and Spanish). The writing seems a bit simplified and at times I felt that I was reading summaries of more intricate, and richer, legends. Also, an English-Spanish vocabulary section at the end takes up nearly one-third of the book, leaving only 113 pages for the stories themselves (as opposed to Stories from Latin America, whose sixteen tales total some 149 pages).
I'm glad I have both books in my collection, as this type of book is hard to come by. If you can afford to buy both, read Stories from Spain first, as the writing is a little bit simpler. If you can only afford to buy one, I'd go with Stories from Latin America.

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Dive into the tales of Spain-in Spanish and in English!

In Stories from Spain/Historias de España, we've placed the Spanish and English stories side by side--lado a lado--so you can practice and improve your reading skills in your new language while enjoying the support of your native language. This way, you'll avoid the inconvenience of constantly having to look up unfamiliar words and expressions in a dictionary. Read as much as you can understand, and then look to the facing page for help. As you read, you can check your comprehension by comparing the two versions of the story. You'll also find a bilingual vocabulary list at the end of the book, so you'll have a handy reference for new words.

Stories from Spain/Historias de España allows you to explore Spain's rich history. It included 18 well-known Spanish legends that chronicle almost 1,000 years of Spanish history. These tales will introduce you to an array of characters as dynamic and colorful as the country that gave birth to them. Moors, kings, nobles, rogues, and pirates are among those who will make these pages come alive for you! As you read these stories side by side, you will be not only fine-tuning your language skills but also gaining insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Spanish people.


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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Perfect Phrases in Spanish for Confident Travel to Mexico: The No Faux-Pas Phrasebook for the Perfect Trip (Perfect Phrases Series) Review

Perfect Phrases in Spanish for Confident Travel to Mexico: The No Faux-Pas Phrasebook for the Perfect Trip (Perfect Phrases Series)
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This is one of the few books I have found that specifically addresses Spanish for Mexico and I found it entertainging and helpful.

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More than your average phrasebook, this portable title shows you how to be a well-mannered visitor and speak the local language in the correct context

Any phrasebook can give you a line listing of essential phrases. But if you use a phrase or term without knowing the correct way to use it, you can find yourself in an embarrassing situation.

Perfect Phrases in Spanish for Confident Travel to Mexico addresses this problem expertly. Yes, you get the basics but you get a lot more background and guidance on how to use these words and phrases correctly without making a faux pas. With the confidence that you are using a phrase correctly, you will enjoy a smoother adventure in Mexico.


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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Señor Pepino Series: La momia desaparece (Senor Pepino) Review

Seandntilde;or Pepino Series: La momia desaparece (Senor Pepino)
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This is a good intermediate learning spanish book. It has vocab on the side of the page, which keeps you away from your spanish-english dictionary, a very good thing. This is part of a trilogy, all of which are comic detective novels with history bytes in the story. A fun read for a third year spanish student, ar second year for a very advanced class.

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A reader for your intermediate and early advanced Spanish studentsLa momia desaparece (Arturo de Rosa) is one of three readers in the Señor Pepino Series. This high-interest reader presents cultural information and extends students' vocabulary in a highly entertaining way. Señor Pepino (a would-be Sherlock Holmes) and his sidekick blunder their way through mystery, adventure, comedy, and romance. This reader is softcover, 6" × 9", and 64 pages in length.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect: The Spanish Subjunctive Up Close (Practice Makes Perfect Series) Review

Practice Makes Perfect: The Spanish Subjunctive Up Close (Practice Makes Perfect Series)
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I've always thought that the Spanish subjunctive was so complicated that it could be covered in a book by itself. I've always hoped for such a book, too. Following is its table of contents:
1. When to use the subjunctive and how to form its four tenses
2. Sequence of tenses and the subjunctive
3. Subordinated noun clauses
4. Subordinated adjective clauses
5. Adverbial expressions
6. Contrary-to-fact statements
7. Comprehensive exercises
The author states early in the book that many Spanish students assume that the subjunctive is all about doubt. The author is quick to explain that this assumption is problematic. The use of the subjunctive in doubt or uncertainty is only ONE of its many uses. I'm glad there's a book on the subjunctive that addresses this issue. I used to tutor a student in Spanish who thought the subjunctive was all about doubt. And trying to get her to understand that there was more to the subjunctive than just doubt was a difficult task.
The book explains how to conjugate all four tenses in the subjunctive, then it moves on to its uses. This book explains the uses of the subjunctive in the same order as many other books. First, it explains its uses in nominal clauses, then it moves on to adjective clauses, adverbial clauses, and contrary-to-fact statements. The end of the book has exercises.
I think this book is incredible, but I personally don't think it's a good idea to explain all four tenses at once. I think it's better to start out with the present subjunctive, learn how to use it, and then move on to the other tenses. The author mentions the future subjunctive and the future perfect subjunctive, but he doesn't explain how to use them. I wish he had; it's difficult to find reference materials that explain the future subjunctive.
I highly recommend this book. 5 stars!!!
Brandon Simpson

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Get up close and master Spanish subjunctive

As you study Spanish you may see the subjunctive as an obstacle to your full understanding of the language. Learning the subjunctive can be one of the most frustrating aspects of Spanish grammar, but it is also one of the most important for being understood and understanding what others say. By adding Spanish pronouns to your range of language skills, you will open up a whole new world of communication.

With plenty of opportunities for practice, practice, practice, Practice Makes Perfect: The Spanish Subjunctive Up Close helps you better understand the nuances of this often-confusing grammar element and develop your skills and confidence as a Spanish speaker with:

Easy-to-absorb explanatory materials, examples, and exercises
Authoritative guidance on how to form the four subjunctive tenses and when to use them
A comprehensive answer key that not only gives you the correct solutions to the exercises but explains the why behind them


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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Teach Yourself Improve Your Spanish Review

Teach Yourself Improve Your Spanish
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This CD/textbook combo does a great job in teaching Spanish effectively. The text provides vocabulary and grammar skills through everyday situations (mostly tourist related, such as finding apartments or shopping), and the CDs include listening exercises for each unit to help learners grow accustomed to recognizing the vocabulary as it's used. If used correctly, this course can be an excellent tool for building a stronger foundation in the language.
The focus is on European Spanish, and the recorded material was done by native speakers of that dialect. A number of conversations and listening drills feature South American dialects (namely Chilean and Peruvian), added to provide familiarity with the intonation and pronunciation of the language in those dialects. Although the vocabulary isn't exhaustive for each situation handled in the textbook, it helps learners gain a better working knowledge of how to use what they learn in everyday situations. The audio drills on the recordings are often not transcribed, so listeners build comprehension skills from the start. Throughout most of the book, the native speakers talk at a speed just slightly slower than that of everyday speech, but this shouldn't discourage perspective buyers from purchasing this course -- the audio is clear and instructional, and the listening skills a person can gain from this course are without a doubt essential.
After completing the course, learners won't be fluent by any means, but the main objective -- improving your Spanish -- will definitely have been reached if the course was used correctly. Moving on to a more advanced course (Living Language Ultimate Spanish : Advanced is an ideal choice) is the next step toward continuing self-study in the language.

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Graduate from the fundamentals to fluency!

For language learners stuck at rudimentary greetings and memorized phrases, this new Teach Yourself Improve Your Language series is the ideal way to move beyond beginners' basics. By building on existing knowledge, readers improve the competency of their spoken and written communication.

Lively, authentic dialogues cover a range of situations, such as making invitations and suggestions; writing job descriptions; talking about past events; conveying hotel requirements; making complaints; shopping; and describing ailments. The course also expands sophisticated linguistic skills, such as expressing obligation and needs; probability; contrasting ideas; and regret. Features include:

Clear explanations of key structures
Extensive vocabulary lists
Easy-access verb tables
Useful practice exercises


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Friday, March 30, 2012

Repaso: A Complete Review Workbook for Grammar, Communication, and Culture Review

Repaso: A Complete Review Workbook for Grammar, Communication, and Culture
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Although I agree that this book is certainly a bargain when compared to the standard textbook options that often cost 3-4 times as much, I was disappointed to find that no solutions to the exercises are provided. One must purchase ANOTHER book before the exercises in this book can really be said to be useful. I am a firm believer in immediate correction when it comes to language review and acquisition--spending time on exercises without knowing which you did wrong will only reinforce what are your misunderstandings of grammar. However, if you are willing (and able) to buy the solutions manual along with this book, then it will make a good review--though it won't be the bargain that it at first appeared.

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"A Complete Review Workbook for Grammar, Communication, and Culture" is suitable for intermediate through advanced courses. This highly popular workbook is sweeping America's classrooms! It uses the same vocabulary students have learned in their basal texts to review and thoroughly practice essential grammar taught in intermediate through advanced courses.

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar Review

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar
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I have been studying Spanish for 7+ years and used this book as a text book in a college course that focused on the verb conjugations and tenses. We did about 90% of the exercises in the book. It's very thorough with the material that it covers, but the answers in the back are full of so many mistakes that the book almost isn't worth it. It was frustrating for us students to use the book and check our answers only to find mistakes. Eventually our professor stopped using the book.

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Now beginners can master Spanish grammar with the proven Practice Makes Perfect method!

Combining clear presentation, exercises, and a focus on practical conversational skills has proven a winning formula for the Practice Makes Perfect workbook series. Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar builds on the series' success with a similarly interactive approach, embracing all aspects of Spanish grammar that you need to master. This engaging guide offers:

An extensive grammar review, highlighted by illustrative examples
Dozens of exercises, including fill-ins, translations, and creative writing
Time saving thematic vocabulary panels to cut down on dictionary drudgery
Boxed summaries of key grammar points for focused learning
Detailed answer keys for progress checks


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Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Vocabulary (Practice Makes Perfect Series) Review

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Vocabulary (Practice Makes Perfect Series)
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Speaking as somebody who is teaching themselves Spanish, I'd have to say that this book does what it claims and DOES IT WELL! USEFUL, ENTERTAINING, EASY TO USE and YOU LEARN VOCABULARY. Better than a dictionary and a whole LOT MORE FUN!
I also own the PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT VERBS, the PRONOUNS & PREPOSITIONS volume AND the COMPLETE SPANISH GRAMMER books in the series. Personally, I think this book is an excellant companion book and fits in well with the series. True, it doesn't have the LONG translation excercises, but it does contain LONG reading segments in Spanish which is, in my opinion, the best way to learn VOCABULARY! Believe me, YOU LEARN VOCABULARY when you read this book. I know today's "educators" frown upon rote learning and "memorizing", but, quite frankly, if you don't memorize anything, how much can you really know??? The reading excercises make your brain work on recalling the words from MEMORY. Sure, there's not a lot of long excercises which require you to write, but there ARE LOTS OF PRACTICE EXCERCISES.
I found the book to be FUN and ENJOYABLE. I'm learning a LOT and it's FUN, too! Unlike the Verb book, you can skip around from unit to unit. Read a unit while you're eating lunch or riding on the bus. Short sentence and phrase translations, fill-in-the-word, and true and false excercises mean you can do many of the exercises IN YOUR HEAD without the need for pencil and paper. Subject grouped word lists followed by reading excercises, short translations and T/F quizes makes your brain retain the words. And to achieve even a conversational level in any language, who would disagree that one must fill their memory with words??? You can read, study and use this book anywhere and anytime you have five free minutes. It WORKS, so I'm not sure I understand why it's not receiving better reviews.
It shouldn't be the FIRST book you buy in this series, though. I'd recommend getting VERBS first, PREPS & PRONOUNS second, GRAMMER third and this book AFTER you've used the others, as this book presupposes that you already have a basic grasp of how to conjugate verbs and construct a sentence. It DOES REVIEW verbs in general, ser/estar, reflexive verbs, por/para, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, and grammer--all the while introducting new words and how different, but related, words are formed through the use of suffixes and prefixes.
Not only will you learn vocabulary, but you might just find a few surprising tid-bits of knowledge about history, historic and contempory people, current events, religion, science and more!!!!
All in all, I'm VERY PLEASED with this book, and I give it FIVE STARS. It's USEFUL, FUN, and EXPANDS YOUR VOCABULARY--exactly what the publisher claims. It's also INEXPENSIVE and actually has 388 PAGES of text and exercises, 436 pages total (including the answer keys). For the price, you can't go wrong!

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Polish your Spanish vocabulary skills

Building on the success of her prior book, Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses, author Dorothy Devney Richmond helps you attain a strong working vocabulary, no matter if you are an absolute beginner or an intermediate student of the language.

She combines her proven instruction techniques and clear explanationswith a plethora of engaging exercises, so you aremotivated and hardly notice that you are absorbing so muchSpanish. Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Vocabulary also includes basic grammar and structures of the language to complement your newly acquired words. "Vocabulary Builders" help you add to your Spanish repertoire by using cognates, roots, suffixes, prefixes, and other "word-building" tools.


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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Spanish by Association Review

Spanish by Association
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Taking language out of the abstract auditory realm, this book phonetically ties the words that are unfamilar to concrete images we know. His method and books should be read and used by foreign language teachers. It's a quick read, and I solidly learned about 350 useful words and basic sentence structure in 3 days. The examples he has chosen are creative, charming and memorable. I'm impressed and grateful to this author. Buy it and enjoy it.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Big Red Book of Spanish Verbs: 555 Fully Conjugated Verbs Review

The Big Red Book of Spanish Verbs: 555 Fully Conjugated Verbs
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For me this book slightly edges out the now venerable 501 Spanish Verbs book, because it includes more examples of usages at the bottom of each page, and the 501 book doesn't have as many of these. There is also a nice list of the Top 50 Spanish verbs which is useful.
On the con side, I didn't like the visual layout on the page quite as much as the 501 book, and that book also includes the progressive conjugations using estar at the very bottom of the verb tables on each page. This isn't a big deal since this pattern doesn't change once you understand it, but it's still nice to have.
One other feature the 501 book has is a good section on the idiomatic uses of some of the verbs, and a fairly extensive section of conversations in different topic areas using the well-known Berlitz method. There are dozens of these at the end of the book. If you already have a book that does that, you won't need this one, but it's here if you want it. Despite these features, as I said, I still prefer the Big Red book slightly, and the two are the same price, so there's no reason to prefer one over the other there.
There is one other "big gun" in the Spanish verbs area, which is the 2000 Essential Spanish Verbs book. This one only includes about 250 tables of verbs, but there is an index which extends that to 2000 different verbs, since you just look up the verb in the index and it directs you to the correct pattern. However, this book has one major advantage over the Big Red and 501 books. It has an extensive section on the grammar of the 65 most important verbs, including many of the irregular ones, with a detailed discussion and a practice sectioni for each. I thought this was a very nice feature and so that book is worth your consideration also. I actually prefer that book to either of these, although the print is much smaller and the layout of the tables isn't as nice. If the publisher would revamp the typeface, layout, and aesthetics a bit it could definitely give the other two books a run for their money.
Any of these three Spanish verb books is excellent, however, and will help you bootstrap your Spanish speaking and reading knowledge and facility to the next level. They're also all the same price, so again, there's no reason to prefer one over the other there.

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The new "bible" of Spanish verbs makes learning faster and easier!

When we set out to build a bigger, better Spanish-verb "bible," we made certain it would be a quantum leap over Barron's 501 Spanish Verbs and every other source available today. The result is hands-down the most comprehensive, clearest, and easiest-to-use source for those of you who are beginning and intermediate learners of Spanish. It exceeds all previous standards of coverage and presentation and is in a class of its own when it comes to enhancing textbook and classroom learning. Smooth sailing through the turbulent seas of foreign grammar with:

555 fully conjugated verbs, listed alphabetically
Current idioms and expressions for each verb
Full facing page of usage examples for the top 50 verbs
One-stop, at-a-glance verb-tense profiles
More than 2,200 verbs cross-referenced to models
A handy guide to deciphering irregular verb forms
Exercises to test mastery


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Tune Up Your Spanish: Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Spoken Spanish Review

Tune Up Your Spanish: Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Spoken Spanish
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This book was introduced to me while I was in Mexico to increase my fluency, and after reading it, I determined to buy it when I returned.
The book begins where classroom Spanish ends. It tells you what folks are really saying and different ways they say it and adds to your repertoire of phrases and expressions that can make your conversation more humorous and enjoyable for yourself and those to whom you are speaking.
It is divided into 10 sections which cover most of the experiences you may or may not want to have in a Spanish-speaking culture, including shopping, travel, active listening, love and romance, and my favorite - Understanding how language, culture, and humor interact. The book is filled with idiomatic expressions and sayings which Spanish-speakers use often and love to hear. It tells you the degree of strength/crudness of different expressions and the words that are innocuous in one culture and vulgar in another to prevent major embarassment.
I haven't listened yet to the accompanying CD but plan to enjoy it as much as I enjoy the book. For anyone who wants to enrich their use of expressions and speak more of the vernacular, this is the book to get. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to do more than read write and listen to Spanish.

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Readers can tune up their conversation skills with Tune Up guides--the next best thing to a year abroad!

Getting beyond sounding like a beginner is more than just a matter of learning more vocabulary and grammar. It's also about understanding the culture and developing the right mind set for thinking, listening, and talking like a native.

The next best thing to a year abroad, the books in this exciting new series offer language learners an entertaining and practical way to hone their foreign-language conversation skills. Tune Up books are structured around 10 key areas for improvement, covering everything from tricky grammatical structures to gestures, slang, and humor. In each area, key phrases are presented in "Top Ten" lists, including everyday expressions for filling pauses, icebreakers, and more. An excellent brushup for learners returning to a language they studied in high school or college, Tune Up books feature:

Practical advice on improving conversation skills
Valuable insights into how difficult verbs and structures work
Tips on how to avoid taboos and common faux pas
A 60-minute audio CD with key phrase lists and exercises


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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Exacto : A Practical Guide to Spanish Grammar Review

Exacto : A Practical Guide to Spanish Grammar
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This book is set up in a manner very similar to an outline. It is as if the author took notes on every other Spanish book ever written and condensed it into this paperback. It lists grammar rules in 3 levels so that any level of Spanish student could use this book to learn or to review. I have an entire bookcase full of Spanish Verb/Vocab and Grammar books and this is by far the best.

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The innovative, user-friendly ¡Exacto! is truly "grammar at a glance." The authors have a clear, upbeat, and visually striking approach that quells the usual trepidation about learning grammar or reviewing for an exam. Everyday, lively examples from Spanish sources increase vocabulary and consolidate grammar. There's no confusing jargon­­--only what you really need to know plus imaginative exercises and an answer key at the back.

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Friday, January 20, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns And Prepositions Review

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Pronouns And Prepositions
Average Reviews:

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This book and the other Practice-Makes-Perfect workbook by Dorothy Richmond ("Spanish Verb Tenses") are the best Spanish books I've ever used. I just got back from 2 years in the Peace Corps in Honduras and I studied these books every day. They REALLY helped me learn more Spanish! In addition to the concise, easy-to-understand instruction sections, there's tons of exercises to do (with the correct answers in the back of the book) and as I did the exercises, I picked up all kinds of things that I'd been wondering how to say. I also liked this workbook a lot because it covered all those difficult things I never understood before, like how to use "lo que..", direct and indirect object pronouns, the passive voice, the difference between "para" and "por", and many other things. (This book is especially great if you already know some Spanish because you need some vocabulary to do the exercises, unless you don't mind looking up lots of words in the dictionary.) I highly recommend this book!

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This bestselling book in the Practice Makes Perfect series treats Spanish pronouns and prepositions systematically in a worktext format. Containing concise, user-friendly explanations with generous and varied practice, the book helps students develop their knowledge of how and why pronouns and prepositions are used. Plus it encourages students to use the pronouns and prepositions in real-life contexts.


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