Foreign Language Software
Overview by Jim, Marianne and Sarinda, revised after carnival
Many of these titles can be found Through Gessler’s catalog (list prices, tho). See also Educational Resources, Quality Computer, Broderbund (800) 521-6263, Educorp (has quirky ones)
We have rated the following CDs on a scale * - ****
I. Who is Oscar Lake? ***
This is an interactive CD ROM that is presented in the form of a mystery tour of a large city. Uses French or Spanish. Explicit directions are given at the beginning.
Leaves room for some interactive communication, choices, discussion and vocabulary acquisition.
High quality graphics.
There’s a table of contents of various skills, parts of speech, etc.
One can click on images to have the word said aloud and printed on the screen. Native accents.
There is a dictionary. Words are translated into the native language that is indicated by the student at the beginning of the game.
Vocabulary drill activities give instructions for students to follow. Scores are given.
a good activity for small groups or an educational activity for the whole class
For what level? advanced first year, early second year (HS)
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
We’d recommend putting one student on the mouse, having the rest of the class give directions, advice, agree, discuss. Takes a while, however, so it seems to be a CD that the teacher should try out thoroughly so that s/he can guide best when necessary.
2.Hop and Skippy [Gessler] *
This is a very basic CD for children in first year Spanish grade school. Moves very slowly with immediate translations to English without sentences. It is good in that it offers Columbian, Castillian, Mexican and Carribean dialects. One student, one machine. A fun tool but not a swift teaching one. It does have some fairly good written notebook exercises in a binder that are not commensurate with the simple exercises.
How one might incorporate this CD ROM in class: as a fun supplement to a beginning Spanish class.
3. Châteaux de la Loire (Hachette) ****
We really like this CD. The quality of the graphics is terrific. The visit is culturally complete, and students and teachers can choose the aspects of the visit that interest them the most. More like a documentary (i.e. no games, more applicable to a high school curriculum) It presents and excellent overview or preview to a planned trip. It’s the “next best thing” to being in the Loire Valley.
features: 20 video clips, practical information (visiting hours, hotel and restaurant addresses), authentic interviews with local scholars and museum curators, family tree of French kings, dictionary...
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
We’d take advantage of the cultural and historical information in a social science oriented curriculum (upper level or AP language level). Have students plan a trip to the Loire Valley, then present their plan to another class or teacher. Using the information as background, they could also spring off this CD ROM and explore other aspects of French culture.
4. Musical Instrurments (Microsoft) *
Varied musical insturments of the world with sounds of each. Good for musical, cultural background. Not a language teaching device but a fun interlude.
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
It would be quite difficult to do in a language classroom but a lovely diversion...culturally that is .
5. Hollywood High (Theatrix) *
Different teen types, moods, situations, locations, COOL but too much English. Could be used for semi open ended dialogue writing in a foreign language but only the coolness of the characters lends itself to what the teacher feels the students might find exciting enough to “get into.”
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class: See above.
For a less “cool” but equally stimulating CD ROM, read on...
6. Storybook Weaver Deluxe (MECC) ***
6160 Summit Drive North, Minneapolis, MN 55430-4003
(612) 569-1500
Great if you’re seeking a creative story-inventing , fun project. Reinforces students’ use of computer skills.
All symbols (easy for small children to use) Almost no text, except menus, so not a hindrance to French, German or Swahili students’ creativity.
(One great feature: there’s a Spanish version, with all menus in Spanish. There’s a “text-to-speech” feature that will read your story aloud to you in Spanish. )
20,000 scene, color and pattern combos... so no group’s story will look like another’s.
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
A. Gather students in groups (2-3) so that they are forced to interact, choose together, direct each other. Give groups time with the software so that they can create a background, a format, crazy or serious...
Have them save their story to present to their peers or to another class.
B. Create the story as a class with students taking turns with the mouse. Move around the room asking each student to tell the story corresponding to each previously created page. They’ll have to adapt, be spontaneous, build off one another’s ideas. They’ll get into it because they’ll react, laugh, judge, dis etc.
7. Picasso (Grolier) **
Although in English, this CD has a wonderful overview of Picasso’s painting and sculpture. The graphic reproductions are superb. Excellent for classes of culture.
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class: Cultural background :
Supplements study of the Spanish civil war, la corrida, Picasso exile in France, Picasso lifestyle, presentaton of painting styles, stages etc.
8. Sitting on the Ferme / A La Ferme **
Sanctuary Woods
(415) 578 - 6340
“A peaceful picnic lunch turns mighty messy as a little girl joined by different animals. listen, read, sing or write along with this charming story filled with music and interactive animation to make learning fun.”
This CD ROM is in French and English.
How would we recommend using this in a classroom? Aimed at a FLES classroom. Fun for younger children. Advanced students could plan a lesson and present this to children in lower school or a local elementary school as an independent project.
9. Le français interactif (AtticaHeinemann) ****
Really good program to introduce students to basic daily French vocabulary, i.e. the food, the stores, the time, the house, the school vocab. , etc.
We liked the variety of different interactive activities, i.e. video, drills, games, etc.
The pronunciation is native and clear, delivered at normal speed.
How would we recommend using this in a classroom?
Best used by small groups of students in the language lab as vocab drill and review.
10. Pris sur le vif / Encuentros a lo vivo [Scott Foresman] ****
We really like what this CD has to offer: up-to-date information on daily life in Québec and France, Spain, South American countries and Mexico. There are lots of subjects to choose from and be inspired by: maps, a variety of native speakers (mostly teenagers), household items and activities. There are interactive elements for both writing and speaking exercises.
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
This could be a great follow up to one’s use of Le Français Interactif. It’s more realistic, with no drawings, no games this time. The adolescents in the video clips even ask questions in the “Et toi?” “Y tú?”section, so they model questions for the students in our classes.
11. Juanito y los frijoles negros ** (Tom Snyder)
This is a thoroughly delightful CD with comic characters in a new “Jack and the Beanstalk” setting. It is easy to use, thought and language evoking. It is meant for classroom use: lecture, reading, and pronunciation! It has the tricky element of automatically calling on the prelisted students in one’s class.
How one might incorporate use of this CD ROM in class:
In-class exercices (small groups). Towards the end of the story, you can retell it in the traditional way or invent your own ending.
If we’d had more time... we’d have previewed many more CDs! They provide excellent supplements to more traditional curricula. Have fun!
Can be ordered through any of the educational software catalogs.