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 FSI Language Courses Forum : Learning Languages : Spanish
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Biscuit
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Quote Biscuit Replybullet Topic: Platiquemos or FSI
    Posted: 24 October 2007 at 9:00pm
Ive read about FSI 1-4 and Platiquemos 1-8, and I understand that they are basically the same, the exception being that Platiquemos has been updated.  If you were to learn Spanish, would you go with FSI (free) or would you spend the money on the downloadable Platiquemos (33/unit I think)?

What are the "updates" by platiquemos and are they worth the expense?
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mouse
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Quote mouse Replybullet Posted: 27 October 2007 at 9:16pm
Originally posted by Biscuit

Ive read about FSI 1-4 and Platiquemos 1-8, and I understand that they are basically the same, the exception being that Platiquemos has been updated.  If you were to learn Spanish, would you go with FSI (free) or would you spend the money on the downloadable Platiquemos (33/unit I think)?

What are the "updates" by platiquemos and are they worth the expense?
 
In the Platiquemos course, the authors updated the appearance of the course to make it much more visually appealing. (for example, they changed the font and added pictures).
Also, they got rid of the phonetic spellings that took up useless room on the basic course. (these basically told you how to pronounce a sentence, and since spanish is so phonetic, these were a waste of space).
 
There also more speakers in Platiquemos; most of them have a Mexican accent. I'm not sure where the speakers of the basic courses came from, but some of them pronounce words slightly different than most students of Spanish are used to.
 
Other than this, there are not many more changes that I can think of. Whether these changes are worth the money is your opinion. If you can't stand pages typed in tiny font from the 1960's, or space-wasting, useless phonetic spellings, then buy the Platiquemos course. However, if you can live with the antiquity of the course, like me, then the free course is your best bet.
 
Note: As of right now, this site only has the first few units of the basic course. Loquella has the whole course, but not downloadable.
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Kubelek
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Quote Kubelek Replybullet Posted: 16 November 2007 at 6:57am
If we were to add Barron's mastering Spanish and Learn Spanish Like Crazy to the original question what your response would be?
Out of the four which one is the best?

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Alew
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Quote Alew Replybullet Posted: 16 November 2007 at 3:24pm
Definitely not mastering spanish, as this is literally the SAME as the original FSI Basic course.  I can't comment on LSLC.


Edited by Alew - 22 January 2008 at 5:36pm
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tehrahk
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Quote tehrahk Replybullet Posted: 21 November 2007 at 12:32pm
I have Learning Spanish Like Crazy. It's just the FSI course listed on this site.
 
The audio is claimed to be remastered, although there are some section where the hissing is rather loud and seems to have been able to remove.
 
In addition, the cd says "Learning Spanish Like Crazy" at the beginning of every new cd.
 
LSLC also comes with FSI Spanish Level 3 and 4. This is the only reason I bought it (discounted off of Ebay).
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Plato the Young
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Quote Plato the Young Replybullet Posted: 04 January 2008 at 9:13pm
No that's DEFINITELY not true! LSLC comes with the FSI but it's a totally different course in and of itself. LSLC has been described by some as Pimsleur on steroids and it really is. All the material from Pimsleur and then some for a LOT less money. I would definitely recommend LSLC (both levels) as a download from their website.

Platiquemos is probably the most comprehensive audio based Spanish course out there. If I had only enough money to buy 1 Spanish course, Platiquemos would be it as it covers more than ANY of the other Spanish courses I've used (LSLC, Pimsleur, Michel Thomas, Rosetta Stone, I can't remember the others...) for an amazing price (if you download it off their site)
Cheerio!

Plato the Younger
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lingua
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Quote lingua Replybullet Posted: 14 January 2008 at 12:38pm
I have the first three courses from FSI (cassettes), and I was looking around for the 4th course. I found a site that sells the book ( I want the hardtext, not the PDF) and cd's for $200, and then I learned about the "Platiquemos" course here on this site.
 
 I can get levels 7 and 8 (same as course 4) with the books and downloadable mp3's for $109.
 
 I listened to a few of the samples and it's the same course, so I'm saving $90 bucks ordering from Platiquemos.
 
 Edit: Hmmmmm...either they just stopped downloadable mp3 deal, or I can't find the link. But, now it's 137.95 with the mp3's mailed on CD. But, still a better deal than the other.


Edited by lingua - 14 January 2008 at 1:02pm
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