We Speekee. Do You? – Plus Giveaway

As I was looking for a Spanish learning program for my two children, I thought back to the two years of Spanish that I took in high school.  I remembered how “rote” it was.  Our teacher started the first class by saying that no English would be spoken in class.  That quickly went by the wayside, and the class became a Spanish writing class.  That’s not what I wanted for my kids, so when I was given the opportunity to review an immersive Spanish learning program called Speekee, I just had to give it a try.

According to the Speekee website –

Speekee TV is designed so that children can learn Spanish in their own time and at             their own pace.

• 10 EPISODES, OVER 150 MINUTES OF PURE SPANISH LEARNING
• LEARN SPANISH FROM REAL SPANISH CHILDREN IN REAL SPANISH LOCATIONS
• FEATURES SONGS, ANIMATION AND PUPPETS
• OPTIONAL SUBTITLES IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH
• FREE ACTIVITY SHEET DOWNLOADS
• GREAT FUN AND EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE
• CREATED BY SPECIALIST LANGUAGE TEACHERS

I asked Speekee’s Jim Porter what information about this program did he think would be most helpful.  His response was, “Speekee began its development by pinpointing the most important Spanish language that needed to be taught to children. And it went on from there. I mean to say, all the locations, the puppets, the Spanish children, the animation etc… all that came once the key language had been decided on. So Speekee is not just fun to watch, it teaches the right Spanish, and in the right order.”

On to the review…

From the beginning, DS8 (my Spectrum/SPD kid) LOVED Speekee!  DD11 took a look at the first episode and decided that she was too old for it.  I was really surprised that she felt this way.  For the second episode, I left her in charge of reading the English words on the bottom of the screen for DS8 IF he couldn’t tell what the Spanish word meant from the context of the action.  Since DD11 had the “job” of helping her brother, she began to learn right alongside him.  Speekee kept DS8 focused and “entertained” while learning.  This is a WONDERFUL combination!

I found this quote in the information section under episode one, “This cutting-edge method is the ideal way to learn a language, and your child will start speaking Spanish simply by watching the films.”  It really is true!  After watching the second episode, DS8 started saying Spanish words “out of the blue.”  One evening at supper, he looked up at me and said, “Me gusta.”

On the days that DS8 has trouble focusing on schoolwork, he is still interested in watching Speekee.  He loves the songs, too!  The songs sure are great for learning because they really stick with you.

Here is a YouTube clip for you to preview.  Why not have your child watch it with you?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnrTl-9lohM]

Another part of the Speekee program that DS8 likes is finding new award pictures, like a balloon or a ribbon, show up.  I’m not sure if they indicate a milestone or not, but he sure likes to find them.

What the kids think:

DS8 has always rated things by the “thumbs up”  He goes up to 4 “thumbs up”, including his big toes.

DS8 gave Speekee a resounding 4 “thumbs up”!  He didn’t have anything negative to say about the program at all.  He LOVES to watch Speekee and is picking up his Spanish quicker than some of his regular schoolwork.

DD11 gave it a 3 1/2 “thumbs up”.  She noted that there were sections where the words sped by too quickly to read, and sometimes the words froze.  I didn’t see anything freeze, but I wasn’t in the room for the entire time that viewing was happening.  Our internet is a little slower, so that might explain the freezing, but it wouldn’t explain the words speeding by.  I was a little worried by DD11’s reaction after the first episode, but her opinion really increased starting with the second episode.

What I think:

I think that Speekee is a great program!   It provides an entertaining learning environment that works!  I have not delved into many of the worksheets associated with the program, yet, because DS8 doesn’t do well with worksheets at this point.  He is learning a lot by just watching it for right now.  We will utilize the worksheets at a later time.  Yes, we got 2 months free, but we are sticking with Speekee.  I understand that they are working on a curriculum for homeschoolers, and we can’t wait to see it!

Speekee is a web-based program that can be accessed in most places where your computer is hooked to the internet.  I think I read somewhere that it can even be accessed on the Wii (with a subscription).  We will be trying this option out!  “A subscription to Speekee TV is £4.95 (or $7.50) per month and the first two weeks are free.  Subscribe securely using PayPal, and unsubscribe at any time – there’s no minimum period.”

Now…the fun part!  I was given 2 months free to try Speekee and post my honest review.  I am also being allowed to extend that same offer to one of you.  The great thing about this giveaway is that because it is a 2 month online trial, anyone anywhere can have the opportunity to win!  Yay!

Ways to Enter:

Mandatory:

• Visit and “Like” Speekee’s Facebook page.  Then come back and leave a comment that you “Liked” the page and why you would like to win the free 2 month trial.

Extra Entries:

• Follow Speekee on Twitter and come back to leave a comment saying that you are following him and what your Twitter name is.
• “Like” my Facebook page and leave a comment telling me that you did that.

I will pick the winner using the Random.org Sequence Generator on Sunday June 12 at midnight Eastern.  Please make sure that you leave your email address, so I can pass it on to Speekee.

FTC disclaimer – I did receive 2 month free subscription to be able to review this product and give an unbiased and honest opinion of mine and my children’s.  I did not receive any monetary compensation for my opinion.

And the WINNER is….  Random.org Sequence Generator chose comment #10

Danielle@RLR    I just sent you an email.  Congratulations!