Customer Reviews
Just what I needed 
2007-09-16
I started studying Spanish 20 years ago when I was a union organizer for the Roofers. I took some college correspondence courses. A few years later I left that job to work as a pipefitter.
When I quit organizing, I decided to continue to study Spanish on my own. I bought all the typical educational tapes, the ones where you repeat a
sentence after the voice on the tape. I started reading Spanish nearly every night, to increase my vocabulary. I read one or two Spanish novels a month, depending on how much time I have.
I recently started to work on big, overtime constructions jobs. The past
year I have been on big jobs in Texas, where at least half the workers on
the job speak Spanish. Some speak both English and Spanish, but a lot of the workers speak only Spanish.
I quickly discovered a few things:
One, I had a great Spanish vocabulary. I am like a walking Spanish
dictionary. I'd say I've a bigger vocabulary than 80% of the Spanish
speaking guys on the job. Spanish speaking guys often ask me for the most
correct Spanish word for certain things.
Secondly, I discovered I couldn't understand anything spoken in spanish. There is a lot of slang, but that wasn't the problem. When somebody said something, or when I listened to someone talking on a spanish TV program, a spoken sentence or paragraph sounded like one long, hundred sylable word. It all ran together, I pick up a work here or there, it sounded like it always did before I learned any spanish.
And thirdly, when I spoke spanish to anyone, it was as if I were looking words up in the spanish dictionary and talking, slowly, haltingly.
These cds were like the missing piece of my spanish education. I'm not even done with the first set yet, since I am working 7 days a week, 10 or 12 hours a day. But shortly after starting listening to the cds, playing them over a few times, my listening comprehension increase dramatically. This is really a major turning point for me. The more I can understand by listening,the more spanish idioms and slang I learn. Now, turning on the TV and watching a spanish movie is a learning experience for me. Listening to guys talking at work is a learning experience, since I can understand them. I am now conversing much more on the job, with much more confidence.
Again, I believe these cds were the key. What a great product. I wish I had them years ago. -Greg
Outstanding!!! 2007-05-19
Before going to Spain, I wanted to become familiar with Spanish. As I taught French to foreign students, I knew what was important. For myself as a complete beginner in Spanish, I looked at several possibilities. I finally selected Smart Spanish as the most likely to get the results I was looking for: constant interaction between me as a student and the teachers, with the ability to repeat and come back to what I had missed, while permitting me to jump ahead. Smart Spanish is by far the best course: it is really inexpensive for what I got from it. When in Barcelona and Zaragoza or San Sebastian I could understand a good deal of what I was listening to even when they spoke so fast with their cigarettes. That made my trip so much more pleasant and I encourage everyone to do the same. This method is the fastest way to understand and even speak Spanish! Smart Spanish is excellent from mornings to never ending nights!
Great learning tool 2006-11-29
I have already tried there French program with success and I am very enthusiastic about the Spanish. It has helped my confidence greatly. I like the format. It's easy to use and a great fun.
Best to learn spanish so far 2006-11-24
If you are interested in learning Spanish the way it's spoken in Spain as well as in South America, this is the language program for you.
It is an interesting program that if the steps are followed, that is, variations in hearing and repeating the monologs or dialogs with annotated notes on pronounciation or grammar, one can actually begin to understand what is spoken. The monologs/dialogs are spoken by a variety of people in different professions, and from different countries like Spain, Mexico, which makes the CD much more interesting than most language tapes.
I am really glad I purchased Smart Spanish and look daily to studying Spanish. Having had high school Spanish almost 20 years ago I also feel confident that I will be able to finally speak Spanish soon. I will be comfortable with my Spanish understanding and speaking because of Smart Spanish.
Fun and useful... 2006-07-19
I've tried a few other Spanish cd's that focus more on grammar, and they have their uses, but it gets boring just repeating words and phrases in isolation. That's why I really like this system--you hear actual native speakers and really get a feel for the language--it's rhythms, idiosyncrasies, intonation, etc. So it gives me more of an appreciation for the language, keeps me interested, and motivates me to keep on learning.
Finaly....a very simple way to learn Spanish 2006-05-09
"The intelligent structure and the good-natured tone of its interviews make this CD-ROM a wonderful tool to learn Spanish." William Martin, retired political editor, The Oakland TribuneNo matter what your background is you will benefit from this technique" - P. J. Gust, Attorney, LA, CATo learn a language one has to develop speaking and understanding skills. To learn a few sentences to get by is good but to understand the response is also important. SmartSpanish will develop your listening skills. It will raise your confidence to speak naturally (as opposed to properly).For some, developing understanding skills should be a part of the beginner level training. That is why we designed a beginner level. A beginner is naturally not expected to be able to understand dialogs at real speed right away, but with a little patience, you will soon feel more and more confident about your ability to "talk" Spanish, by recognizing the "rhythm" of the language and its predictable patterns.You will practice slowly at the beginner level on seven interviews and faster on the next two levels on six interviews each. We use colors to help you with pronunciation. The lessons are organized interactively so that you can work at your own pace, pausing or rewinding at will. At any level you can watch the video and read the translation before you work.We are so confident in your success using our revolutionary educational method if you use it the way we suggest, we stand behind this product with a full 30 day money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the product directly to SmartPolyglot in its original packaging for a full refund.No matter what other sources you use in your language learning, the Smart thing to do is give yourself this key to confidence. - I. Jackson, CEO, Breathplay, Dallas
An interesting way to learn Spanish 2006-04-27
After repeating interesting dialog from interviews with regular people, you are given explanations on vocabulary, grammar and conjugation. It doesn't cover all the grammar as it is not taught systematically. You might want to also get a grammar book to further your knowledge, but with this CD-Rom you learn the grammar that is the most relevant because it is used several times in casual conversations. Little by little, you get used to the speed of the spoken language. I got a lot of confidence using this CD-Rom. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in speaking real Spanish.
Very helpful. 
2006-04-26
A simple approach. I liked the concept of learning how to speak before learning written grammar-the whole idea of studying the way a child does. I tried this product and was very satisfied.
Not for beginners 
2006-04-05
Thank goodness I have had two years of Spanish. Without it this would have been a total waste of time. I don't see how you can learn to speak Spanish from this CD-Rom. I am going to use it to hear the language spoken. I hope I get something out of it. I guess I thought they would have the native speakers acting out or doing something to let you know what they are talking about.
Wonderful program! 2006-02-24
It didn't take much for me to want to give SmartSpanish a try because I had such great results with their other program, SmartFrench. The Smart language programs are so unique because they teach you how to speak and understand a language the way it is ACTUALLY spoken. Unlike French, however, which I began study as an adult, I had an early background in Spanish but hadn't studied it since high school and that was many years ago. I recently moved to LA and decided since I was in an environment where I can actually practice the language, I might as well try to reacquaint myself with Spanish. But I do not have time to study it now, I just want to understand it and refresh what I already know. This program is absolutely perfect for that because I can listen to one of the conversations at my convenience whenever I want to practice my listening and speaking. I also bought a tiny Spanish dictionary. Now when I run across a Spanish TV channel I actually understand much of what is said which is really weird. I even started speaking some Spanish here in LA with confidence which is something I never did when I was a formal student! SmartSpanish is a great complement to formal study or a do-it-yourself course of study. I am proof that no matter what your background is you will benefit from this technique.
