Materials and software
This section of the website is divided into 3 main parts:
1. advice on selecting materials and software for language learning,
2. products to buy, and
The products to buy section also contains:
- multi-lingual proofing tools
- multi-lingual wordprocessors
- multi-lingual speech recognition/dictation software
Translation software and dictionaries are found in other sections of the website.
Advice on Selecting Materials
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of materials available for learning languages. Modern materials and software such as CD ROMs, DVDs, cassettes, and videos, provide colour, variety and sources of authentic input (examples of real language used by native speakers). Traditional materials are mainly text-based and tend to focus more on reading and writing skills e.g. course books, work books, text books, graded readers, and grammar exercises - these can also be very useful. All these materials are designed for language learners, but we should not forget that there is a huge amount of authentic material designed for native speakers which can be used for advanced learners, and adapted for those who are less proficient: books, magazines, newspapers, games, music, films, radio, and tv.
When selecting materials for language learning you should try to find those that match your:
- language level e.g. advanced level
- age group e.g. adult
- reason for learning the language e.g. to improve your letter writing ability
- preferred approach e.g. like to do repetitive exercises
- mode of learning e.g. self-study
- price range e.g. £15 to £25
- equipment available e.g. using Windows 95+
Look for attractive materials, which you find interesting, colourful and useful. They should be clearly laid out and well-structured. Borrow materials from a friend or a library first, if you can, to make sure that you can get on with them. You can also ask your teacher or fill in a short online form to use our advisory service.
You can also consult the CILT resources library . Another possibility is the Hull CALL software database.
Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office for 100+ languages
Global Writer - a word processor with a wide range of languages
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools - allows users to proof documents in 50+ languages
CD ROMs and DVDs from Eurotalk for learners of most languages and all levels
Spanish materials to buy
for beginners, beginners - intermediate, intermediate-advanced, advanced, children & all levels
Selected Products
Beginners |
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Michel Thomas Foundation Course: Spanish (Michel Thomas) [Audiobook] (Audio CD) |
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Michel Thomas |
Our Price: £69.99 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Michel Thomas's approach to language learning aims to provide in a few hours a functional working knowledge of a language without books, note-taking or conscious memorizing. This course provides an eight-hour course. |
Beginners |
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For more details on "All Talk" - the new audio course on CD click here |
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Beginners |
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Eurotalk |
RRP: £24.99 |
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Platform: Macintosh, Windows Features:
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Beginners |
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Get Into Spanish Course Pack: CD-ROM, Audio CD and Book |
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BBC |
RRP: £34.99 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability |
Beginners |
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Earworms |
Our Price: £11.99 |
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Beginner - Intermediate level |
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Talk to me - Spanish |
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Our Price: £17.99 |
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A host of games Platform: Windows 95, Windows 98
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Intermediate - advanced level |
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Authentik- resources in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English for intermediate and advanced level language learners |
Intermediate - advanced level |
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Puerta del Sol: Audio-magazine about Spain and the Spanish language |
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Advanced level |
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Recommended Retail Price: £50 |
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Without books, note-taking and conscious memorizing, this course provides an astonishingly rapid and easy route to confidence in Spanish. Just relax, listen and repeat to these 4 audio CDs. We recommend that you listen to this 5-hour course several times to take full advantage of the clear instructions and advice. |
For children |
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Eurotalk |
Our Price: £14.99 |
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All levels |
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Spanish Video Course on cassette |
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Also available on CD |
RRP: £265.86 |
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Beginners, intermediate & advanced |
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Auralog |
RRP: £228.99 |
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Usually dispatched in 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Features:
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Beginners, intermediate & advanced |
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Rosetta
Stone V3 Spanish (Spain) Level 1-2-3 Personal Edition (Mac/PC) |
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Rosetta Stone |
RRP £339.00 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Features:
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LINKS (in alphabetical order)
Accent-click to help students/teachers etc. with inserting accented characters into Word docs when not using a 'native' keyboard.
BuenSoft Spanish
Listening-based Windows package comprising flashcards,
pair-matching, multiple-choice and written quizzes,
hangman, scrambled phrases and a game to guess the
phrase as it is written.
V1.2 (shareware), BuenSoft 1997.
Find Espana
Viva books, videos & cassettes on BBC Shop.com
Find Suenos
Spanish books & cassettes on BBC Shop.com
Spanish Whiz Interactive Windows quizzing system for vocabulary, multiple choice or gap-filling. Also includes a dictionary, log files, and sound. V1.1 (shareware), Braser Soft 1999.
Teach Yourself Courses - over 1 million people buy these courses each year!