Learn to Speak English
System Requirements

IBM PC or compatible

486 DX 66 or higher (Pentium Class is highly recommended)

8 mb or RAM (16 recommended)

Windows 3.1 or 95 or DOS 5.0 systems

SVGA display (640 X 480 – 256 colours)

MPC compliant, CD ROM drive and sound card

Speakers and/or headphones, microphone

It is highly recommended to use standards far above the previous requirements,
especially when installing the complete version.
Skills and Competencies Developed

Reading

Listening

Writing

Speaking

Cultural awareness
Basic Functions
Every lesson in this program starts with a summary given orally, explaining what the
learner will be seeing in each section. The Learn to Speak English CD offers students a
listen and watch program. Users see and hear native speakers. One can try speech
recognition activities and evaluate his or her pronunciation. Communicative skills can be
acquired by grammar, listening and oral exercises. This software includes 30 chapters and
10 cultural movies. Finally there are games and tests to consolidate the learning after each
chapter.
Usage
This program allows students to work individually and learn to master pronunciation. It is
also a fine tool for listening comprehension and cultural awareness. Communicative skills
can be acquired through grammar, listening and oral pronunciation activities. Different
grammar buttons help users to consult rules when needed.
Teaching Possibilities
This could be an excellent tool for remedial classes or autonomous learners. The
individual aspect of the program can help students advance at their own rhythm. From
such topics as "a future trip" students could be invited to practice their speaking skills in
order to prepare simulation activities. Cultural awareness is oriented towards US content
but the animations of city spectrums are very interesting. Questionnaires could be adapted
to this content. There is an exercise book which offers a variety of pre-prepared activities.
Evaluation and comments
This is a very structural approach to language learning. The activities are well adapted to
self learning. Pronunciation activities are fine but a bit repetitious. One must learn about
the task buttons hidden at the top of the page. If not, users may think that exiting the
program is the only way to go from one section to the other. For those who like to travel,
the information should be interesting though basically centred around a highly USA
oriented content.
James Rainville
jamesr@grics.qc.ca