Last week I uncovered 3 ways to squeeze a little extra language learning into your day. This week I am going to help you put that into practice with the chance to win a copy of the Behind the Wheel audio learning system.
Behind the Wheel: Spanish Level 1 came my way a few weeks ago. I studied Spanish in high school and have tried to study it again since, but I am by no means fluent.
Mark Frobose, the founder of Behind the Wheel, claims that it is the “fastest, easiest, and most effective Spanish course on the market.” I can’t really speak to that as I have not tried every program out there, but I will say he took a very different approach than I have seen before. It was almost conversational.
I stuck the first disc into my car so Dek and I could give it a listen on our way to swim class one morning. I’ll admit it threw me off at first. I am so used to a very structured repeat after me approach to audio language courses that I wasn’t sure what to do when this guy started talking to me from the disc. It’s like he wanted to have a chat with me in a language I couldn’t really understand.
Here’s How It Works
A native English speaker talks with a native Spanish speaker. The English speaker starts out asking simple questions like “What is your name?” and the native speaker repeats it in Spanish- “¿Come te llamas?” They then go into how to respond to such questions in different ways using a whole lot of vocabulary.
It was not simply doing drills. I was learning how to have a conversation and build on the vocabulary and phrases I was learning.
There was a lot of repetition in the course as well, a bonus in my world as I often have to turn my attention to answer a never-ending stream of toddler questions. Too often in language programs I am given a phrase, told to repeat it twice and then we move on. In Behind the Wheel we did the “repeat two times” approach, but after moving on we came back through and tried it all again before moving onto the next section. I saw how my sentences were building on each other and then got to put it into practice.
A 110-page book accompanies the 8 language discs. In the back is a full transcription of what was learned on the discs, but that only takes up 22 pages. The rest of the book goes chapter by chapter through the discs emphasizing the vocabulary you have already been learning in your car.
What I Loved
The language is broken down into easy to remember, conversational chunks. My favorite part of the audio program is when the English speaker tells me just how many sentences I can build now with the words and phrases I have learned. Before the end of the first disc I had learned over 400 phrases! Now that is pretty impressive.
I also love that the founder is not unrealistic. He does not claim you will be fluent after listening to the program once. It takes effort and a lot of repetition and reinforcement. After all, none of us learned how to ride a bike in a day. It takes practice, falling down and getting right back up and trying again. The same is true when learning a new language. You need to practice, repeat, make mistakes, learn from them and try again.
Now it’s your turn to get Behind the Wheel.
To enter simply follow the steps below. It’s easy. I can’t make anything in my life too complicated these days.
- Comment on this post and tell me why you are excited about Behind the Wheel. That’s it. Just one comment gets you entered. You don’t need to do anything else.
If you want to gather some bonus entries and a greater chance to win, just do any or all of the following.
- For 5 extra entries: Sign up for an email subscription
- For 2 extra entries: Like the Walkingon Travels Facebook page
- For 1 extra entry: Follow Walkingon Travels on Twitter
But remember, no matter what you do, you MUST comment below in order to qualify and you must let me know if you are a new follower via email, Facebook or Twitter so your bonus entries can count.
Winner
All entries must be received by Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 11:59PM PST. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Monday, August 13th. After prize notification, winner has 3 days to make contact. Entries are only open to those 18 years and older in the US and Canada. The prize will be shipped directly from MacMillan Audio. Walkingon Travels is not responsible for damages, delays or lost prizes. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of Behind the Wheel: Spanish Level 1 by MacMillan Audio for review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable write up. As always, my opinions are my own.
written by Keryn Means
August 5, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Woot! How exciting. I just checked and they offer Mandarin as one of their languages. I’ve been struggling to figure out how to fill the void after Bee took 1 1/2 years of language playtime (Sponge School) when she was an infant/toddler but now we just can’t commit the time to biweekly classes (especially when we’re on the road). This will work out perfectly for us!!!
AdventureBee recently posted..These Shoes Were Made For Walking
August 5, 2012 at 11:42 pm
BTW – signed up for the email and Twitter (I’ve been a fb follower for a while now).
AdventureBee recently posted..These Shoes Were Made For Walking
August 6, 2012 at 3:59 am
I could really use a big time brush up on spanish. I’ve tried one set of disks before a while back, this one looks much better.
Gillian recently posted..The Chowder Trail: Saege Bistro – Halifax
August 6, 2012 at 4:46 am
Quite an interesting way to learn a new language. I’ve been trying to learn French for the last couple of months, and find it increasingly difficult to cram words and phrases. Guess this method of learning is more innovative and natural, so should work better.
Reached your blog through wired2theworld.com, where your friend nominated you for Capture the Color contest. Would love to check out stuff here in the coming days. Cheers!!!
Samaira Jonathon recently posted..Bluehost 3.95
August 6, 2012 at 6:43 am
Sounds good! I spend a lot of time in my car, and I’ve listed to quite a few different language programs that way. Some have been horrible, some just “ok”. I’d love to try a new one and get back on track with Italian.
Kristina recently posted..Capture the Color Photography Contest
August 6, 2012 at 7:42 am
I learnt how to speak French when in High School, and believe that speaking another Language other than english is really handy! Would love to try Spanish but not sure that I would be able to speak it fluently
Lisa Wood recently posted..Making Money While Travelling
August 6, 2012 at 7:47 am
PS :: Already subscribed by email, follow you on twitter and facebook
Lisa Wood recently posted..Making Money While Travelling
August 6, 2012 at 11:52 am
I would just love to learn Spanish! Thanks for the opportunity!
August 6, 2012 at 11:59 am
I’d love to review my French and help my son with his language classes. This would be great!
August 6, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I think that this might be the only way for me to learn a language at this point. It would be nice to pop it in in the living room while my 7 month old and I hang out during the day
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August 6, 2012 at 9:29 pm
This would be great for just being able to listen to around the house or in the car with my 4 kids!
August 6, 2012 at 9:30 pm
I like you on Facebook
August 6, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Just sign up for your emails!
August 7, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Teach me spanish my friend!
Already following on Facebook, added twitter and email subscription. I am connected! =)
August 7, 2012 at 6:02 pm
I would love this! I am learning Portuguese and need all of the help I can get! Great give-a-way! I already like walkingontravels on FB and subscribed to emails.
Thanks again!
August 7, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Drive 1,000 miles from NM to CA about 6 times a year and would love to learn some Spanish along the way!
August 8, 2012 at 2:05 am
Why not add another language in the house….it may really get me in the mood to plan my Barcelona trip this fall!
August 8, 2012 at 2:07 am
Signed up for the newsletter too. I forgot to do it when you made the big switch-a-roo.
August 8, 2012 at 5:25 am
I totally need to get the language learning back on track. I refuse to let my girls be as dumb as I am on that regard.
August 8, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Sounds like a great program. I’m interested because if I’m going to take the time to learn a foreign language, I want to be conversational as soon as possible.
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters recently posted..A Beautiful View of Put-in-Bay
August 10, 2012 at 7:24 am
I think this would be a great way to learn a new language! Would be cool to win.
trulywaiting at gmail.com
August 10, 2012 at 7:25 am
Liked Walkingon Travels on FB
trulywaiting at gmail.com
August 10, 2012 at 7:25 am
Followed Walkingon Travels on Twitter
trulywaiting at gmail.com
August 10, 2012 at 8:49 am
love this new approach!
wandering educators recently posted..Music from Little House on the Prairie
August 13, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Count me in! It looks like an awesome program. And definitely user friendly.
Nicole@Show Off Friday recently posted..Show Off Friday #16, August 10, 2012
August 15, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Thank you to everyone who entered. We have our winner! Don’t get too bummed yet. I have a few more things lined up to give away in the next few months, and yes, one is to help you learn a language.
© Keryn Means/ walkingon travels recently posted..Language Learning: Read the Subtitles…or Not