EuroTalk Questions and Answers
I have not heard of EuroTalk courseware. Is it well known elsewhere?
Yes, EuroTalk is actually the world’s best selling language courseware with over 15,000,000 disks sold across the globe and has won several awards including the British Interactive Multimedia Association Award, “What PC?” magazine’s Best Buy award, and the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.
Is EuroTalk expensive?
No, EuroTalk is available in single user versions and Language Lab Network versions. EuroTalk single user versions are very affordable at $25 to $40 each (when purchased with the network version) and the networked versions offer outstanding value at $995 for 100 contiguous users. This offers an amazing cost/benefit ratio equaling $9.95 per student.
How much are annual licenses and fees?
There are none. Language lab network licenses are a one time buy with no annual fees.
What are the server requirements?
Language lab versions of EuroTalk are Windows™ server based and allow access from any computer (PC or Mac) connected to a school’s LAN.
Do students have to practice in the language lab?
No, students can practice in private, from any PC or Mac, and at their own pace and are therefore no longer required to practice in the lab (all student PC’s must be connected to the server via a LAN or WAN).
Can the software work from a district server or does it have to be installed in each school?
Students can practice from any computer connected to a school LAN (Local Area Network) or any school in the district when connected to district wide WAN (Wide Area Network).
How many languages are available?
EuroTalk is currently available in 116 languages; some with alternate structures (American English and British English, European Spanish and Mexican Spanish, Classical Arabic and Modern Arabic etc) many in multiple levels.
I have courseware for the language I teach – what advantages can EuroTalk offer me as a language teacher?
EuroTalk allows you to start programs in less commonly taught languages with ease at a modest cost. EuroTalk offers languages which are simply not available from other vendors. EuroTalk offers courseware in less commonly taught languages such as Amharic, Armenian, Breton, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Chuvash, Croatian, Estonian, Georgian, Hausa, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hindi, Icelandic, Irish, Khmer, Latin, Luxemburgish, Maori, Manx, Mongolian, Pashto, Persian, Punjabi, Saami, Serbian, Somali, Tibetan, Urdu, Uzbek, Xhosa, Yiddish and Zulu!
Does EuroTalk offer comparative voice recording and voice recognition?
Yes, students can listen to native speakers and record and compare their voices to the correct pronunciation.
Can students keep track of their progress while using the discs?
Yes, there are quizzes and games to test learners at all levels. And at the beginner level “Intelligent software” notes words you get wrong and targets student’s weak spots.
Can students listen to EuroTalk courses on their iPod’s?
Yes, Talk Now! (Beginner’s level) offers iTunes/MP3 content downloads for off campus student study.
I hate making up tests. Are there tests included?
Yes, the curriculum is divided into two major categories, one devoted to language acquisition and the second to testing.
How do teachers keep track of students as they practice?
Teachers can observe any active student screen and listen to the students as they practice. The teacher program gives student scoring and progress tracking information and teachers can observe a given student’s test results.
Can several teachers watch their own students at the same time?
Yes, multiple teachers can work with multiple students simultaneously on the same LAN or WAN.
Are there any other value added benefits?
Yes, EuroTalk includes printable dictionaries and multiple quizzes. Student names can be imported using databases such as Excel.
I want language learning to be fun. Is EuroTalk fun to learn?
Yes, the selection of a game and quiz show format for the Talk Now! Program is based on research completed at the University of California in the early 1990’s which reveal “that memory is greatly improved when accompanied by fun and laughter.”
Is it easy to use?
Yes, there is a four-button menu that is very clear. A “life preserver” icon appears on every screen in the program for help. Students are never more than two clicks away from the home page.
Is the sound quality good?
Yes, very good. There is an easy-to-regulate volume control on every screen.
Who records the languages?
Only native speakers are used, assuring correct pronunciation.
Why not just use on-line software?
There are four main advantages to purchasing a disk and installing it on your own server.
- Security - If the disk content is loaded onto your own server, you have control over who has access – not a third party.
- Safety - Individual students quiz scores are less likely to be compromised while held behind your schools firewall.
- Speed – Students can access the courseware instantly from any computer in the school without having to connect to a program on the Internet.
- Control – As students do not require an Internet connection they are more likely to be on task (learning) than reviewing restricted content (surfing).
Where can I get this exciting software?
ASC Direct is the distributor of the networked version in the US. Please contact ASC Direct at 800-613-9554 or at carlakay@ascd.us for questions or with help in placing your order.