Lastest Update to the Media Channels: July 2, 2003

Technology Requirements: You must use Internet Explorer® v. 5.5 or more recent and the Windows Media Player® to enjoy the Media Channels. The Windows Media Player® must be set as your default Player on your computer to play. Download the most recent version of IE here. The most recent version of the Media Player® is here.

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MEDIA CHANNELS INSTRUCTIONS

To access any of the four Media Channels click one of the navigation buttons on the panel above.

You can also click the Play button "4" on the Player of your choice above to listen to some introductory instructions from Ricardo.

The Media Channels are designed to help you fine tune both your comprehension and speaking skills in a fun and entertaining way. In no way should this replace a systematic Spanish training course, as in Spanish Power™. This can, however, be a great supplement.

Each channel is spoken at native rate of speed so please understand that it will be very difficult for you to understand if you are a beginner to the Spanish language. Get what you can from the drills, but this is primarily intended for Intermediate to Expert Spanish speakers.

Here's how you can most benefit from these channels:

1. Comprehension Development - We recommend you listen to a channel the first time without using the Guía de Vocabulario that appears in the right-hand column of each Channel. Simply listen! See how much you understand.

After listening once without looking at the Guía de Vocabulario, go ahead and review the vocabulary at the bottom of the page. Then listen again. You will probably notice a big difference in your comprehension. This tells you something - it is really important to develop your vocabulary in order to understand well!

2. Speech Flow Development - A great technique that you can use is to read behind the locutor (speaker) one to two syllables. In other words, mimic his or her pace and style. This is a great acting technique that, over time, will allow you to develop pace and style in your own Spanish speech.

You need to let loose and stay up to the best of your ability! Again, this is primarily designed for Intermediate to Expert speakers. If you are a beginner you shouldn't expect to get it immediately! The text for each channel is below the Media Tuner on each page. You can either read the text on the page while minimimizing or moving your Web-based Audio Player or select the text and print it.

Great comprehension skills and native speech flow are the two most difficult things to acquire for a person who is learning a second language. Come back each week and practice, practice, practice. In fact, we would advise you to practice these drills daily until new narrations are posted.