Choosing between learning Chinese and Spanish is often a question of which language will serve you in your work, travel, or personal goals. Both of these FSI DVD courses are listed at $10.95, so price is not the deciding factor. Instead, you have to look at what each course offers in terms of language and level coverage.
Quick Verdict
Both courses come from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) series, are brand new, and are delivered on DVD disk. The Chinese D89 course is tagged for Beginner (A1) and Business, while the Spanish E16 course is tagged for Beginner (A1) only. If business Chinese is on your list, the D89 is the one that covers it. If you simply want a beginner Spanish course, the E16 gives you that without extra business material.
At a Glance
| Feature | Chinese DVD D89 | Spanish DVD E16 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 10.95 | USD 10.95 |
| Author | FSI | FSI |
| Condition | Brand New | Brand New |
| Format | Disk | Disk |
| Features | DVD | DVD |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Language | Chinese | Spanish |
| Level | Beginner (A1), Business | Beginner (A1) |
| gtIN | 741533289011 | 741533288830 |
| ISBN | 741533289011 | 741533288830 |
Where Each Course Wins
If your priority is business-oriented Chinese, the D89 wins because it carries the Business level tag. The description also notes that nearly 1.2 billion people speak some form of Chinese, so you are learning a language with a deep global reach. If your priority is a straightforward beginner Spanish course, the E16 wins because it is listed as Beginner (A1) only, with no extra business material. Spanish is described as a Romance language with hundreds of millions of native speakers and one of the six official languages of the United Nations, which can be useful if you plan to use it across international contexts.
Product Notes
Learn How To Speak Chinese, Fast Foreign Language Training Course, DVD D89
This FSI course is the only one of the two with a Business level tag, on top of Beginner (A1). That extra level makes it a stronger match if you need Chinese for professional settings. The description says nearly 1.2 billion people speak some form of Chinese, giving you a sense of the language's scale. If your study plan includes business vocabulary or workplace conversations, this course explicitly covers that area. The main limitation is that the Business focus may be more than you need if you only want general beginner conversation. At the same time, the DVD disk format means you will need a device with a DVD drive to use it.
Learn How To Speak Spanish, Fast Foreign Language Training Course, DVD E16
This FSI course is listed with a Beginner (A1) level only, which makes it a clean starting point for new learners. The description highlights that Spanish has hundreds of millions of native speakers and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. That international profile could matter if your goal is to communicate across multiple countries. The limitation here is that there is no Business level tag, so if you need professional Spanish vocabulary, this course does not indicate that coverage. The DVD disk format is also the delivery method, so you will need a DVD-capable player or computer.
Final Choice by Use Case
For business-oriented Chinese study, the D89 clearly fits because of its Business level tag. For a beginner Spanish path, the E16 provides a straightforward A1 starting point. The language you plan to learn is the real tiebreaker, so choose the course that matches the language you intend to speak.
