Horizontes : Gramática y Conversación

Rating:
Summary: Great intermediate text for the teacher/real student
Review: The buyer should realize that this is an intermediate text, not a beginner text. Everything is in Spanish--combining the user's already established skills with the development of further skills. Reasoning is a necessary component of learning a language and this book requires that the student think, rather than translate and fill in the blank. If you really want to learn Spanish, this is a great text with thorough explanations. For the teacher, there are good, open-ended activities to use in class and the text is diverse enough to pick and choose and to work on all language skill areas. Vocabulary is well integrated and practical. There is a 4th addition with more culture, etc. The weakness, at least of the 3rd edition, is the lack of an index. If you are just trying to earn your required credits or take a weekend trip to Mexico, this is NOT the ideal book; if you are in the process of really learning the language, I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: ugh
Review: This has got to be the worst textbook I have ever had. There is almost no English translation and it assumes the reader already knows whats going on. Trato Hecho is a much better book for learning Spanish, it covers everything clearly and with plenty of translations to help.

Rating:
Summary: Horizontes Gramatica y conversacion/Cultura y lituratra
Review: This two book system of the Spanish language has incredible pictures,a good grasp of culture and is representative of most major Spanish speaking regions, however, it is weak on the language structure i.e.: formulating new ideas and presenting them in a user friendly way to the student. Very little explanation of language topics can leave the student frustrated and disenchanted with the rules of the language and bringing a level of understanding that the reader needs in order to full enjoy these books.