Quick Take
When you're comparing language education study materials, the first thing to sort out is your learning style. Do you want to listen to audio on your commute, work through grammar exercises at a desk, or cover two languages in one package? The four options here range from a large Spanish audio program to a two-language DVD course, a Spanish grammar workbook, and a compact Hebrew CD. Each one solves a different problem, so the best pick depends on whether you want depth, breadth, writing practice, or a quick Hebrew start.
Listed-Price Comparison
| Product | Format | Price | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penton Overseas Spanish 20-CD Program | 20 audio CDs | $29.00 | |
| Learn Spanish & Hebrew Fast 2-DVD Course | 2 DVDs | $22.00 | |
| Practice Makes Perfect Complete Spanish Grammar | Trade paperback | $4.00 | |
| Learn How to Speak Hebrew CD | CD-ROM | $10.95 |
Decision Matrix
- Go for the Penton Overseas 20-CD program if you want a three-level Spanish audio course that covers travel, grammar, immersion, and vocabulary in one collection.
- Go for the 2-DVD Spanish & Hebrew course if you want to study two languages with one disc-based package.
- Go for the Practice Makes Perfect grammar book if you prefer reading and writing exercises and want the least expensive option in the group.
- Go for the Hebrew CD if your focus is Hebrew at a beginner or business level and you want a single compact disc.
Product Notes
Penton Overseas Spanish 20-CD Program
This $29.00 set is the biggest audio package in the lineup, with 20 CDs, flashcards, index cards, and a tall/DVD case. It starts with a traveler's survival CD, then moves through beginning, intermediate, and advanced grammar on nine CDs, adds three immersion CDs with Spanish conversations, and finishes with seven vocabulary-building CDs. What makes it worth choosing is the scope: you are getting a complete audio curriculum, not just a phrase sampler. The limitation is price and format-it is the highest-priced option here, and the package is a listening-focused collection. If you learn well by ear and want a long-term Spanish resource, this is the one to pick.
Learn Spanish & Hebrew Fast 2-DVD Course
This $22.00 DVD option is the only one here that combines Spanish and Hebrew, which makes it a useful choice for anyone juggling two language goals. The two DVDs are designed for Windows and include MP3 audio and files, so you can play them on a computer without needing a separate CD player. The course is a complete and comprehensive language course, so it works as a broad starting point. The limitation is that it is a DVD collection with no physical books, so the study materials are the discs and their files. For a digital, two-language study session, this is a versatile option.
Practice Makes Perfect Complete Spanish Grammar
This $4.00 trade paperback by Gilda Nissenberg is the least expensive item in this comparison and the only traditional book. The Premium Third Edition contains 416 pages of Spanish grammar rules and exercises, and the text is written in English for learners. Choose it if you want written explanations, practice drills, and a format you can mark up and take anywhere. The limitation is the kind of practice it offers: the trade paperback format centers on written exercises, so for spoken practice you would turn to one of the audio options. As a foundation for reading and writing Spanish, it gives you a lot of grammar practice in a single workbook.
Learn How to Speak Hebrew CD
This $10.95 CD-ROM is the dedicated Hebrew option, credited to author FSI and listed at beginner and business levels. The "Fast & Easy" title points to a streamlined approach, so it works well as a first Hebrew step or a refresher for work-related basics. Choose it if you want a single-disc Hebrew course that you can play on a computer. The limitation is its scope: with beginner and business levels, it is not positioned for advanced Hebrew study. After you finish this introductory material, you would need to move on to more advanced content to keep growing. For a compact way to start speaking Hebrew, this CD is a practical fit.
Final Recommendation
- For Spanish-only learners who want audio depth: Penton Overseas 20-CD Program.
- For Spanish plus Hebrew on one disc: Learn Spanish & Hebrew Fast 2-DVD Course.
- For written Spanish grammar practice: Practice Makes Perfect Complete Spanish Grammar.
- For Hebrew beginners and business learners: Learn How to Speak Hebrew CD.
