Few of us have fond memories of our high school Spanish or French classes. Grammar and Idiomatic Expressions made learning a foreign language an unpleasant chore instead of the adventure that it should have been. Now that we’re older, many of us would like to brush up on that language we learned in school or learn a new language for work or a long awaited trip abroad. Fortunately, foreign language instruction has come a long way since we were in school and one approach is to introduce a student to the new language in the same way that a child first learns to speak. There are no boring drills on Grammar or other things to slow you down. You just Listen.
No-Work Spanish teaches by allowing you to listen to an engaging story. First you will listen to a sentence in English and then again in Spanish. Then you will hear the entire chapter over again entirely in Spanish. Just as a child first learns to speak, you will listen to the story and little by little you will begin to understand what is being said. There are no Homework Assignments, no word drills or tests on grammar. You just listen and learn.
The first No-Work Spanish audiobook on one CD and is called "Yaks March on Washington" by Anne Emerick and read by Jean-Marc Berne. It is based on the true story of Idaho Rancher, Phil Wykle’s trip across the country to Washington, DC with two young yaks who received the blessing of the Dalai Lama. The Wykle’s dog, Dash, plays a key role in the story giving it special appeal for young and old alike.
As with any form of instruction, people will learn at different rates. When I first listened to "Yaks March on Washington," the Spanish words were nothing but a blur and I despaired of ever catching on to it. By the third time I listened to the disc, I found that it was starting to make sense and my ear was becoming attuned to the new language. Each time I listen to the story it becomes easier to connect the English to the Spanish words. I also found it helpful to print out the transcript of the story which is available on the disc in PDF format. When I could read the words along with the audio, the Spanish began to make more sense to me.
The second lesson from No-Work Spanish is called "Poster Girl" also by Anne Emerick but read by Michelle Thorson. This is a 2-CD audiobook which tells the tale of a young girl trying to outdo a goody two-shoes classmate in a poster making contest for science class. As you might expect, she encounters problems because she waits until the night before the project is due to start making the poster.
At the beginning of each chapter, the narrator will tell you the words that you will hear frequently in that chapter. They will be pronounced in both English and Spanish which will make it easier to understand the story as you listen. The transcript of the lesson can also be printed out from the No-Work Spanish website if you choose. It’s also available on the second disc of the set.
Each book is narrated by a different reader. This allows you to hear the different tones, inflection, and pronunciation that each person brings to the spoken language. Both stories are engaging and you will want to continue on to the end to see how it all turns out.
There is a third title which is in production and will soon be available called "The Case of the Missing Poodle" which sounds intriguing. More titles are planned but no availability date has been given. It is likely that future lessons will include a title for people who know Spanish and want to learn English and then possibly a No-Work French version. Demand for additional languages will determine what titles are added in the future.
No-Work Spanish is a fun way to learn a new language. Listening to the lessons can be like putting together a puzzle. Each time you listen, more of the puzzle pieces fall into place and you understand more of what is being said. Eventually you will find that you actually understand the story as it is being read in Spanish. You will have learned Spanish without grueling, unpleasant lessons. Just listen and learn. Each lesson ranges from 50 minutes to an hour and forty-five minutes.
Aside from the personal benefit of learning a new language, it can also give you an advantage over the competition at work and even earn you a higher salary. Learning a new language can sharpen your mind, impress the people in your life that matter and prepare you to travel abroad without standing out as a tourist.
You can listen to excerpts from each of the lessons and view a list of the vocabulary that will be incorporated into each lesson by visiting the No-Work Spanish website. If you want to try before you buy, you can sign up to receive the first three chapters of one of the books for free.
No-Work Spanish is 100% Guaranteed. If it doesn’t significantly improve your Spanish listening comprehension skills and your vocabulary then they will give you your full purchase price back. They ask that you try it for at least a month but after that, say the word at any time within 6 months of your purchase. If you are unhappy you can simply return the CDs and they’ll give you a full refund of your purchase. No Questions, no hassles - it’s that simple.
No-Work Spanish titles "Yaks March on Washington" and "Poster Girl" are available together for a special price for only $21.95 from the No-Work Spanish website. That’s a great price.
"Yaks March on Washington" is also available alone from Amazon for $14.95 and "Poster Girl" is available for $19.95. Both are in CD format. MP3 versions are available for download from Amazon and other online retailers.
Both titles are also available from Borders Books both online and at the Borders store in White Marsh Mall. Their online store notes that both titles are currently on backorder so check availability at the local store before heading out to shop.
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