Promising new language resource, few rough edges to iron out
Love trying new language learning resources so was excited to give this a try. My review is based on doing two lessons in Chinese language - so this is my very first, very fresh impression. I intend to do a followup one after longer interaction and more than one language, but thought that this brand new resource wants to get feedback quickly.
Pro:
- I did the lessons on my computer, but am glad that there is also an app for use on my phone.
- I liked the speed and tone of the English narrator, and the Chinese narrator also had a pleasant voice.
- I very much liked that the Chinese translations included Anglicized words, not only the Chinese characters (as some language resources use, which makes me abandon them immediately as I want to invest time in learning speech, but don't what to learn Chinese writing at this time).
- I also really liked that the English section did not only include the actual English sentence or phrase (i.e. its true meaning or intent or common way to say it), but also, what the literal word for word translation means.
- The phrases included in the lessons so far are truly useful ones.
Con:
- The graphic background of the lessons remains the same. I would like to think that this is a reflection of the resource still being in its infancy and as time goes on there will more variety of backgrounds for visual interest of the learner.
- The narrator refers to hearing fast and slow versions of each phrase. To my ear, there was only ever one speed: fast. They sounded identical.
- After the first half of the lesson, the same phrases repeat, for practice. This is obviously useful and I welcome the approach. However, the narrator talks about having two chances to "remember" the phrase - but each time, the English translation is immediately visible on the screen. The only way to try and actually "remember" rather than simply read it is to turn away from the screen or cover it up or something. Why not leave it blank, to allow the learner to try and recall independently, and then fade in the answer after some length of pause?
- I am more of a visual than auditory learner. I strongly benefit from having a visual image in addition to the auditory information to help me memorize information. Would strengthen the program a lot to have visual images to reinforce the words on the screen.
Overall, I look forward to how this new resource will develop!
25 August 2020
Unprompted review