Open Door to Spanish: A Conversation Course for Beginners, Level 1

I have to tell you that after seeing the price on this book, I was more than skeptical of it's "usefulness". I have a job that requires a lot of travel and, although, Spanish is not a requirement for my employer, I realize I can open the door to quite a bit of more business if I broaden my language skills. This is especially useful living in Texas. I tried using audio books (i.e Pimsleur, and one other I can't remember)while traveling from client to client but I couildn't ever get any "continuity". Pimsleur was OK but didn't really give you rule or reason for word development; and Spanish, I'm finding out, is very important to learn these skills. I decided to take a night class at a local college(this book was a requirement). Together with the CD, the method of this book works a great deal better than the past methods I've tried. More detail with less time. The really nice thing is the catogorizing of words, usages and formalities makes it extremely user friendly. A professional approach. The only draw-back (for me, anyway), is the type of Spanish taught in the book is the "formal" Spanish (aka Castellano) and usually does not include the "slang" and "Tex-Mex" words that most speak now. This is a fundamental approach but it lays a solid foundation for the language. If you use this book in a Spanish class, the advantage is learning the base structure at the same time being able to pick up the "slang" from your instructor. For whatever reason you have to learn Spanish, this is the book. Now that I'm in deep, the money spent was well worth it. Hope this helps!! Adios! (it's working as I type!!!!)

The College bookstore wanted more than the price I paid, and I recvd a bonus book. The Spanish book does come with 2 cds and I received everything within 3 days, just in time for my Spanish class.

The 3rd edition includes a CD Rom disk (instead of cassette tapes-2nd edition) and a section of situations for oral expression and some oral or writing activities. This is an excellent text for adult learners of Spanish.

"Open Door to Spanish" is a good textbook for beginners, and is especially useful if your Spanish class is using it. If you buy a used copy, make sure it has the CD because it's a great way to check your pronunciation. The course covers Latin American Spanish and culture, not the accent from Spain. Overall, I was very pleased with this product.

This book starts from the very basics, but from the beginning you can use the language acquired. Great for adults. Develops all four skills, listening, reading, writing and speaking.