CD-ROM reviews

With thanks to Fred Riley (University of Hull), who did most of the initial spadework.

Visit Fred's page at http://www.fredriley.org.uk/call/langsite/

'Which ICT resources do you recommend?'

We use a variety of ICT resources for all languages, including many CD-ROMs. This section aims to give an overview of their contents, an indication of what we think of the product (-but please note that we do not make any negative comments as we do not want to get into trouble with anyone!!), and links for you to find out more. Please note that we are not formally recommending one particular product or supplier against another. We hope that people will find this a useful compilation.

'How can I find a specific ICT Resource?'

How do I use the list?...

Other organisations devote more time than we do to 'researching' available ICT resources and putting them into a database which you may find more helpful if you are looking for a specific focus. (However, note that their supplier information may not be up-to-date)

The C&IT Centre of the Subject Centre is based in The Language Institute at the University of Hull. Building on the work of the CTI Centre for Modern Languages, it focuses on all aspects of the use of technologies throughout the discipline areas.
See CTI Software reviews at:
- http://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/resources.aspx
Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia
- http://www.teem.org.uk/
World of Reading catalogue
- http://www.wor.com/shopping/categories.asp?id=1

How can I use this list?

Let me see the list...

Here is an explanation of the section we have included for each resource:

Title	Alphabetically sorted. By clicking on the title, you will link to supplementary materials which we have designed to accompany the course (e.g. teacher guide, pupil record, reference and follow-up activities). We find that most ICT resources do not provide these elements, which are essential for a busy teacher who needs to plan schemes of work and lessons without necessarily trying everything out first!
Publisher	The company which produces the product. We have not included the distributor, as these details may change. Since suppliers, details and prices are changed so frequently, we have not included these details. We recommend the following site for detailed, up-to-date information, and the opportunity for purchase: www.camsoftpartners.co.uk We buy the Eurotalk products directly from them, and get a good deal on copies to be sold on to pupils: www.eurotalk.co.uk
Language(s)	Ordered alphabetically
Category	Principal focus of the product. We have used those categories used by Hull university: Assessment/Marking; Authoring; Business; Concordances; Corpus / Text files; Databases /dictionaries; EAP; Encyclopoedia; Games and simulations; Grammar; Internet/ e mail; Keyboard utilities / fonts; Language Learning; Phonetics; Pronunciation; Reading skills; Second language; Special purposes; Spell checkers / grammar checkers; Translation tools; Vocabulary; Word Processing; Writing assistant
Skills	L = Listening; S = Speaking; R = Reading; W = Writing These are the skills which the learner can practise while using the CD ROM. This is an important factor when planning the scheme of work. For the purposes of a secondary school context where 11-16 year olds have access to the computers for 70 minutes per fortnight, we encourage the use of ICT resources which exploit the media to train in Listening and Speaking rather than Reading and Writing.
Level	Beginner (e.g. 1st / 2nd year learners, or 'False Beginners' - older pupils who may not recall language easily …); Intermediate (e.g. 3rd / 4th / 5th year learners); Advanced (say high ability 5th year learners / 6th form / adults)
Description	This describes the content and what the learner has to do. This is usually largely 'copied' from the Hull University site with their permission
Curriculum manager Response	This is our comment from the management perspective - how easily does the product fit into a UK Secondary School scheme of work?
Teacher Response	This is a comment from a teaching perspective -how easy is it to use this as a teaching tool?
Pupil Response	This summarises our perception of what pupils think of the product, regardless of the scheme of work or teaching pedagogy!! Eventually we may include actual quotations!
Record Updated	This tells you how recent the comment is. Please forgive us if this is out of date and contact us by e-mail if we need to up-date any details.
No detail?	If we have left a blank, there is a reason (e.g. we have bought it, but we haven't used it yet!!) We shall try to fill it in later!

'I want to go straight to the list!' Well, here it is!

Click on the title to get details of the resource you want.

Title	Languages

Activités Interactives 1 / 2	French
Connections Series	English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
Ecoutez Bien!	French
En France	French
En Route	French
Essentials	English, French, German, Spanish
Exam Success	French, German
Exam Success - Elan	French
Expressions	English, French, German, Spanish
French Grammar Studio	French
Games Box	All
It's French	French
Language Library	English, French, German, Spanish
Learn with Asterix & Son	English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish
Talk Now	French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Swahili
TaskMagic	All
Télé-Textes	French
Télé-Textes CD-ROM	French
Tell me More PRO	English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
The French Experience	French
TV Aktuell	German
Unterwegs	German
Who is Oscar Lake?	French, German, Italian, Spanish
World Talk	French, German, Italian, Spanish

Title	Activités Interactives 1 & 2
Publisher	Out of business - we are trying hard to establish some way of encouraging the author to allow another company to distribute this product which we think is so good!
Language(s)	French German
Category	Language Learning; Listening Skills
Skills	L R W
Level	Beginner,
Description	18 short units on each CD covering most of the basic conversational topics for KS3. Presentation of simple phrases, listening, reading and writing exercises to consolidate. Pupils end up with an overall score for each unit
Curriculum manager response	Excellent resource for KS3, but also for lower groups revising topics.
Teacher response	Good progression through the skills. Beware that some of the later reading texts introduce elements which may not have been presented at the start (e.g. 3^rd person verb forms, when only the first person was used for the presentation phase).
Pupil response	Pupils find this very simple and straightforward to use.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Connections Series
Publisher	Vektor Multimedia
Language(s)	English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
Category	Business; Language Learning
Skills	L S R W
Level	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Description	These CD-ROM provide over 30 minutes of digital video for practising business- and travel-related topics. Using role playing and comprehension exercises the user can follow a structure program of learning. There is an on-line dictionary and the program features voice recording and play back. The user has access to a personal language plan to track their progress and retrieve a record of their work. Some of the topics covered include Telephoning, Introducing the Company, Asking to use the phone, Flight Arrangements, Checking into a hotel and Meeting a stranger.
Curriculum manager response	Not designed for National Curriculum, but sections can be used for certain skills (e.g. reception - personal details section). Probably best for Vocational 6^th form courses.
Teacher response	Better since we had up-dated machines which could cope better with the video element.
Pupil response	Pupils like the 'adult' approach.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Ecoutez Bien!
Publisher	EuroTalk
Language(s)	French
Category	Language Learning; Listening Skills
Skills	L R W
Level	Beginner, Intermediate
Description	Interactive quizzes and exercises to practise elementary listening skills in French, with a recording feature for pronunciation practice. Situations include shopping, restaurants, and leisure. Two disks are available
Curriculum manager response	Although not targeted at specific NC content, exercises are accessible for secondary students. Particularly good sections: way finding where pupils move car on plan to reach buildings.
Teacher response	Good 'extra' for Listening Comprehension.
Pupil response	Pupils enjoy the variety.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	En France, en français
Publisher	The Open University
Language(s)	French
Category	Language Learning
Skills	LSR (cloze exercises support writing)
Level	Intermediate and advanced; especially suits adult learners
Description	The CD-ROMs build the 1st level Open University courses but can be used on their own. You need some knowledge of French, roughly equivalent to GCSE. These CD-ROMs are also excellent classroom support providing additional material for the 'A' level syllabus The French CD-ROM offers · 2 hours of dialogue · over 120 engaging exercises · storyline control option · pop-up dictionary facility
Curriculum manager response	Extremely high quality product. I’m not yet sure whether or not it is networkable. Very good for adults (and teachers!) brushing up on their skills. An engaging story line which makes you want to get to the end! Excellent opportunity for speaking practice and comparing your accent with the original. Not many CD ROMs have this element. A well structured ‘exercise’ base for practising particular elements of grammar or particular pronunciation. We will probably use this very able GCSE and with A level students. However, the fact that everything is translated into English means that it could be accessible to others, who could then focus on the particular elements they need (e.g. describing people, giving opinions etc). Could be good for independent adult learners at our evening sessions.
Teacher response	Not yet used.
Pupil response	Not yet used.
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	En Route
Publisher	AVP Computing
Language(s)	French
Category	Games & Simulations - All skills
Skills	L S R W
Level	Beginner
Description	This program contains differentiated activities which teach the language in a carefully structured and progressive way. Ten chapters each introduce the vocabulary of particular topics including hobbies, transport, and weather. Each chapter contains a wealth of interactive exercises which use video and audio material from a variety of sources to bring the language to life. These are supported by sections on vocabulary and grammar.
Curriculum manager response	Matches the KS3 course 'En Route', so very well suited to KS3 National Curriculum. A must!
Teacher response	Easy to use in class. Need to make sure that pupils don't 'rush' the exercises - no scoring system as they go through, so not always easy to check what they have/haven't done.
Pupil response	Pupils enjoy the program, but miss the 'test' element of other programs.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Essentials
Publisher	Vektor Multimedia
Language(s)	English, French, German, Spanish
Category	Language Learning - Listening and Speaking
Skills	L S R
Level	Beginner (adults and pupils)
Description	This beginners CD-ROM allows the user to acquire the fundamentals of the foreign language, record their voice and compare it with a native speaker and test themselves with single questions and timed tests.
Curriculum manager response	Very useful for all levels - elements apply to all topic and skill areas. Some areas quite difficult for less able beginners e.g. number tests 1-100 - no 'chunks' of language as with other programs. Basic level phrases go beyond GCSE requirements, but good for listening comprehension.
Teacher response	Good for presentation and practice of basic elements, and test element really motivates the pupils. Good for assessing their level (mark out of 10)
Pupil response	Pupils enjoy the program, even though it may seem quite dry - especially the 'test' element.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Exam Success - Francoscope pour AQA [isbn/0-19-912348-9] - Fokus Deutsch fur AQA [isbn/0-19-912349-7]
Publisher	OUP [http://www.oup.co.uk]
Language(s)	French, German
Category	Assessment /Marking; Grammar
Skills	L R W
Level	Intermediate/Advanced (GCSE) [Not AS and A2 as stated in the blurb!!]
Description	Pupils choose from 3 sections: To begin work, click on Zone Language/Sprachzone for a list of language, grammar and vocabulary activities; Zone Examen/Prüfungszone link for diagnostic tests, and hints and tips from the examiner; French/German websites for links to live sites related to individual units. Activities graded in order of difficulty. Comprehensive revision of grammar. Instant scores and feedback. Student’s edition very reasonably priced.(see website)
Curriculum manager response	Ideal for use as ICT support alongside learning or as an examination revision programme. Networkable version for school; student version for home use.
Teacher response	Good quality product: clear sound, clear instructions, clear feedback.
Pupil response	Not yet networked. But we are confident that pupils will find this extremely useful and plan to run lunchtime sessions when pupils can practise.
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Exam Success - Elan [isbn/0-19-840615-0]
Publisher	OUP [http://www.oup.co.uk]
Language(s)	French
Category	Assessment /Marking; Grammar
Skills	L R W & Supported Speaking
Level	Advanced (GCSE) AS and A2
Description	Pupils choose from 4 sections: To begin work, click on Zone Langue for a list of language, grammar and vocabulary activities; Zone Examen link for diagnostic tests, and hints and tips from the examiner; Actualités – a regular quiz base don current events in France based on an authentic French website; French Websites for links to live sites related to individual units. Instant scores and feedback. Comprehensive revision of grammar with diagnostic test and feedback. Student’s edition very reasonably priced.(see website)
Curriculum manager response	Ideal for use as ICT support alongside learning or as an examination revision programme. Networkable version for school; student version for home use.
Teacher response	Good quality product: clear sound, clear instructions, clear feedback.
Pupil response	Not yet networked. But we are confident that pupils will find this extremely useful and plan to run lunchtime sessions when pupils can practise.
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Expressions
Publisher	Vektor Multimedia
Language(s)	English, French, German, Spanish
Category	Business; Language Learning - Listening, Speaking and Reading
Skills	L S R
Level	Beginner (adults and pupils)
Description	A complete course for the person travelling abroad for business or pleasure, covering all aspects of travelling, shopping, eating, sightseeing and getting around
Curriculum manager response	Good for Role-Play GCSE, although some of the situations and structures go beyond NC requirements.
Teacher response	Good for presentation and practice of basic elements, and test element really motivates the pupils for listening. Advise teacher deliberately ask to listen to recorded statements to make sure they are doing this.
Pupil response	Pupils like the test elements best. They can get a bit bored with the role play, but this is essential for making the most of this program.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	French Grammar Studio
Publisher	Granada Learning (formerly Yorkshire International Thomson)
Language(s)	French
Category	Grammar; Language Learning
Skills	L R W
Level	Intermediate
Description	French Grammar Studio has been designed to help students prepare for the French GCSE examination and as a standalone programme for practising grammar skills. The disk is divided up into two sections - Photo Stories and the Grammar Factory. The CD-ROM is fully supported with on-screen help, support materials which can be printed, and a large contextual French-English dictionary of the words on the disk. Also known as The Grammar Suite.
Curriculum manager response	Suits mid- high ability KS4 pupils best. Used for reinforcement rather than presentation. Grammar factory good for cover lessons. Photo stories not always ideas, as they combine different elements which may not have been covered - therefore best for consolidation / revision.
Teacher response	Rather dry - would not use for more than 15/20 minutes at a time ideally. Pupils miss the 'game' element which exists in other programs.
Pupil response	Motivated pupils are interested and find this helpful.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Games Box
Publisher	Usable Software Company - www.usablesoftwarecompany.com/
Language(s)	Potentially all- examples given in Fench, German, Spanish & English
Category	Games & Language Learning; Authoring
Skills	R W (supports whole-class L and S)
Level	All
Description	Designed for the one teacher, one computer, one class situation. The program contains a large number of 5 to 10 minute activities suitable for pairwork or as a whole class activity. Included are: noughts and crosses, picture noughts and crosses, number games, arithmetical games, category games, who am I, colour quiz, verb dice, several games boards, scoreboards, different ‘blockbuster’ games, etc. There are over 20 games, most of which can be used in different ways In each of the activities the teacher can use the words / numbers / ideas provided in the program or replace them with their own. The size of words on the screen can also be changed. Using the program requires only basic word processing skills. The program is easy to use and comes with full teachers’ notes.
Curriculum manager response	Ideal for supporting starters/breakers/finishers in line with good teaching practice and the Key Stage 3 Strategy expectations! The accompanying help section gives excellent advice on how to turn games intop pair work activities as well as whole-class activities. Makes the usual classroom games look much more professional, and gives teachers ideas for varying revision activities and introducing humour and fun into practice sessions. Very reasonably priced for a product which could be used for every single lesson in some way.
Teacher response	Used with a data projector, an excellent resource for grabbing the attention of the pupils, and encouraging a healthy spirit of competition.
Pupil response	They love it! They like to choose which symbol represents them in a game and they respond very well to the challenges posed by each game.
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	It's French
Publisher	Multimedia Text books website: http://www.mmtltd.com/ email: enquiries@mmtltd.com
Language(s)	French
Category	Assessment & Exam revision
Skills	R W
Level	AS and A2
Description	Texts are drawn from up-to-date sources, categorised into sections e.g. regional items, news, social and environmental issues, sport. A short grammar section helps students with tricky points, checking how successful hey have ben via a running total. Question format reflects a style students may encounter in public exams – they are encouraged to learn from their mistakes.
Curriculum manager response	Looks very good for independent study. If questions are incorrectly answered, feedback gives an indication about why the answer was wrong. Note that under ‘preferences’ you can change the background music or switch it off!
Teacher response	Not used yet
Pupil response	Not used yet
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Language Library
Publisher	Vektor Mulitmedia
Language(s)	English, French, German, Spanish
Category	Assessment/Marking; Authoring; Grammar; Language Learning
Skills	L S R W
Level	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Description	This is a multimedia library of over 500 exercises organised at 9 levels of competence from complete beginner to advanced learner. The program contains dialogues, written exercises, grammar, reading and listening tasks and cultural briefings. Within a Tutor Management System, it is possible for the teacher to develop custom assignments, design custom work plans, add custom exercises and create work plans for individual students. There is a Learners Work Record, which enables the student to follow a self-paced individual work programme and provide the user with a detailed record of work in total and by session.
Curriculum manager response	Important to print off all the activities in order to map appropriate activities. We do not use it to design individual programs yet, but are planning to signpost activities which match scheme of work.
Teacher response	Not used yet
Pupil response	Not used yet
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Learn with Asterix & Son
Publisher	EuroTalk
Language(s)	English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish
Category	Language Learning
Level	Beginner(?), Intermediate, Advanced
Skills	L S R
Description	The cartoon story of Astérix and Son helps to teach and practise a variety of languages. Grammar, vocabulary and teaching notes are included on screen. The program assumes a little previous knowledge of the target language.
Curriculum manager response
Teacher response
Pupil response
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Talk Now
Publisher	EuroTalk
Language(s)	Afrikaans, Albanian, American, Amharic, Arabic, Assamese, Basque, Bengali, Brazilian, Bulgarian, Cantonese Chinese, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Farsi, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Khmer, Korean, Latin, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Mandarin Chinese, Manx, Marathi, Nepali, Norwegian, Papiamento, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Scots Gaelic, Sindhi, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Ukranian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh, Xhosa, Zulu
Category	Language Learning; Vocabulary
Skills	L S R
Level	Beginner
Description	This CD-ROM is designed for people who want to learn a language quickly. It's addictive, fun and makes learning easy. The program includes topics on: first words; phrases; food; shopping; numbers and time. Using record facility the user can compare their pronunciation with native speakers and test their knowledge with quizzes and a challenging memory game. The program monitors the student's progress, keeping a check on the total score. There is on-screen help in 40 languages, and facility to print out 'awards' and a dictionary for handy reference.
Curriculum manager response	Easy to fit into any scheme of work for presentation / practice of vocabulary items. Need to provide reference sheets / follow-up activities to ensure that vocabulary is then applied within phrases. Ideal for focused vocabulary learning and pronunciation practice.
Teacher response	Excellent for teaching and learning - all aspects motivate the pupils. Check that they do not enter 'false' names … not that our pupils ever would of-course …!!!
Pupil response	Probably the most popular program we have. They love it - all ages! Possibility to 'add' to scores on each occasion, so important that they use the same machine each time.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	TaskMagic
Publisher	MDL [http://www.mdlsoft.co.uk]
Language(s)	All
Category	Games & Simulations; Authoring software.
Skills	L R (W to some extent – but only copying cloze options)
Level	All
Description	Pupils choose a file from one of 7 types of interactive game: Text Match, Picture Match, Sound Match, Pic Sound match, Multiple choice, Mix & Gap, Dialogues. Within each game there is a variety of interactive activities which give them a ‘score’ for the level of understanding.
Curriculum manager response	An excellent product for ‘filling in the gaps’ of published ICT activities. Very good value for money (reasonable price for site licence + pupils can download for free use at home). Note that the product cannot be used on the web, but the program and games can be downloaded. Teachers create the files, and are thus able to include any words, sentences, phrases or dialogues which they wan to practise. It is extremely easy to learn how to create the files. Recommendations: (1) Download the files already created by Martin Lapworth (http://www.williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk/mflex/TMActivities.htm); we will be making our own available on our website (2) at an early stage, store the files into ‘topic headings’ to help retrieval. (3) think about the learning sequence when creating the games i.e. ensure pupils know what the language means in English and know how to pronounce the language. There is a danger of producing too many games without sound where pupils might reinforce incorrect pronunciation.
Teacher response	A wonderful product! Very easy to create tasks quickly, just before a lesson – including ease of inserting pictures and sound. Pupils love playing the games which test mouse control and speed of response as well as understanding! Warning: pupils need to be managed, as some of them will spend too long on the flashier games (e.g. maze). Recommendation: tell the pupils which games to play and give a time limit.
Pupil response	Excellent, from boys and girls. They love the challenge and the feedback, and get very competitive. Written comment from top-set girl after a game on the perfect tense: ‘I honestly feel that TaskMagic helped me to learn the past tense’. French and German exchange students used TaskMagic in a lesson devised for them. They loved it, and want their teachers to buy it!
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Télé-Textes
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Language(s)	French
Category	Language Learning
Skills	L S R W
Level	Advanced
Description	Télé-Textes on CD-ROM is an interactive, independent learning resource for advanced learners of French. The disc contains over 50 minutes of video film, consisting of 18 authentic news extracts, organised into 7 dossiers. Each unit of film can be viewed with full transcript, exercises and a fully accented, on-screen scratchpad for taking notes, which can be entered into a word-processor for completion. The voice record facility, with on-screen auto-cue, enables students to script and record their own versions for the voice-over commentaries to the news broadcasts or record themselves reading the original script. The recordings are edited into the broadcast, can be replayed without permanently replacing the original soundtrack and saved to floppy disk (up to one and a half minutes) for later replaying.
Curriculum manager response
Teacher response
Pupil response
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Télé-Textes CD-ROM
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Language(s)	French
Category	Language Learning
Skills	L R W
Level	Advanced (GCSE) AS and A2
Description	The video contains 18 news extracts from the French news. There are introductory comments for each units, plus key words and phrases in subtitles to reinforce vocabulary and aid understanding. The CD-ROM is a completely self-contained learning resource with instant access to video clips, transcripts, notes, exercises, and a student's notepad. Readership: A-Level French students
Curriculum manager response	We have bought it and have yet to try it out with students. The resource is from 1995. Perhaps there is an up-dated version which we cannot find; but topics are still relevant today! It looks extremely good. Relevant subjects, transcripts of the video which can be watched at the same time, easy reference to vocabulary, easy to make notes and answer questions. Video is an excellent means of learning, and with this product, all the preparation is done for you.
Teacher response
Pupil response
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Tell me More PRO
Publisher	Auralog
Language(s)	English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, American
Category	Language Learning; Pronunciation; Voice/Speech Recognition
Skills	L S R W
Level	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Description	Students can listen to dialogues and practise their pronunciation of words, phrases and sentences using advanced speech recognition technology. The programs include grammar lessons with explanations, video with listening comprehension activities, a glossary and a variety of exercises, including dictation, vocabulary exercises and word games, gapfill exercises etc.
Curriculum manager response	Not designed for a UK secondary school market, so needs to be explored to find sections and activities which are relevant, but it's worth the explore! Quite expensive, but understandably so when you see the range and the quality of speech recognition. Advice: buy with the learning skills of 'pronunciation, improving own performance' in mind rather than language content coverage.
Teacher response	Gets the pupils really concentrating on the quality of their pronunciation. Great to have pupils 'talking' out loud, all at one, with good accents! The speech recognition software gives pupils 'scores' for pronunciation, and they make a real effort to improve them.
Pupil response	Great - they ask to use it - they tell others how good it is. Danger: they particularly like the hangman sections which do not require speech, and which are less effective use of expensive multimedia equipment and software! Bright Year 9 boy extremely keen to have his own copy at home.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	The French Experience
Publisher	BBC Multimedia
Language(s)	French
Category	Language Learning
Skills
Level	Beginner
Description	This 2 CD-ROM course is for people who want to start learning French from scratch, and also for false beginners who would like to revise and build on their knowledge. It can act as an excellent complement to classroom learning. It combines the sound educational principles underlying The French Experience with the fun, involvement and realism of learning through multimedia. Upon finishing the course, the user should have reached a level roughly equivalent to GCSE or NVQ Level 1. Included in the program is a Study Tracker which enables the user to chart their progress through the course. There are 17 units on the CD-ROM with up to 4 sections on specific topics relating to the unit theme
Curriculum manager response	We haven't yet sorted out the networking for this/. Looks as if it will particularly suit our adult learner class. Our Headteacher is using it at the moment!
Teacher response
Pupil response
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	TV Aktuell
Publisher	OUP [isbn 0-19-912288-1]
Language(s)	German
Category	Assessment /Marking; Grammar
Skills	L R W & Supported Speaking
Level	Advanced (GCSE) AS and A2
Description	TAKEN FROM THE WEBSITE: '...TV und Texte is an extremely user-friendly program.' -Recall Newsletter '...a useful resource for departments seeking to build up its stock of self-study materials.' -TES Following the success of TV und Texte, our video and CD-ROM package of topical news extracts from German TV, we have produced a new version: TV Aktuell - an ideal resource for the new A-level specifications. The 40-minute video contains 16 news extracts from the German TV station Zweites Deutsches Fernschen (ZDF). Topics include homelessness, launch of the Euro, computers, women in society, and many others relating to the new A-level specifications. There are introductory comments for each units, plus key words and phrases in subtitles to reinforce vocabulary and aid understanding. The Teacher's Resource Book contains photocopiable worksheets, graded activities, and transcripts, plus teacher's notes giving a wide range of teaching ideas. The CD-ROM is a completely self-contained learning resource with instant access to video clips, transcripts, notes, exercises, and a student's notepad. A special feature, which proved so popular with TV und Texte, is the voice-recording facility which allows students to record and play back their own commentary over the video sequences. The CD runs on IBM-PC and compatibles with 80386SX processor or better and minimum 2Mb RAM. For the network licence (up to 5 users) contact Wild Strawberry Multimedia, 1 Cartland Ave., Shrewsbury, SY2 5UW. Tel: (01743) 354386. Readership: A-Level German students
Curriculum manager response	We have bought it and have yet to try it out with students. It looks extremely good. Relevant subjects, transcripts of the video which can be watched at the same time, easy reference to vocabulary, easy to make notes and answer questions. Video is an excellent means of learning, and with this product, all the preparation is done for you.
Teacher response
Pupil response
Record up-dated	03.03.03

Title	Unterwegs
Publisher	AVP Computing
Language(s)	German
Category	Games & Simulations - All skills
Skills	L S R W
Level	Beginner
Description	This program contains differentiated activities which teach the language in a carefully structured and progressive way. Ten chapters each introduce the vocabulary of particular topics including hobbies, transport, and weather. Each chapter contains a wealth of interactive exercises which use video and audio material from a variety of sources to bring the language to life. These are supported by sections on vocabulary and grammar.
Curriculum manager response	Matches the KS3 course 'Unterwegs!' so very well suited to KS3 National Curriculum. A must!
Teacher response	Easy to use in class. Need to make sure that pupils don't 'rush' the exercises - no scoring system as they go through, so not always easy to check what they have/haven't done.
Pupil response	Pupils enjoy the program, but miss the 'test' element of other programs.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	Who is Oscar Lake?
Publisher	Camsoft UK Limited
Language(s)	English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Category	Games & Simulations; Language Learning
Skills	L S R
Level	Beginner, Intermediate
Description	As the user tries to solve the mystery of Oscar Lake, s/he will converse in a foreign language with a lively cast of live-action characters in real world settings. It is a mystery story set in an everyday town with real people in motion video scenes running under QuickTime. Book train tickets, hand the ticket clerk the money, pick up your ticket and put it in your briefcase - all while conducting a conversation in the target language.
Curriculum manager response	We haven't yet sorted out the networking for this, but teachers have already tried it out, and one has got hooked ….!! We are convinced that this is going to be really popular with the kids - they will be forced to go through the role-play situations every time in order to try out all the different routes and endings. No way they can 'skip' bits! Because everything can be displayed in English as well, it will not be essential to know all the language needed, and it will be a good way of 'picking up' new language along the way. Good stand alone exercises which are spin-offs from the story (e.g. telling the time, buying things)
Teacher response	There are a few places where pupils can get 'stuck' if they are not familiar with game protocol (-more likely to be the case with teachers, actually!) We have designed our own 'trouble-shooting' page to help with these. (Link)
Pupil response	Awaited! We anticipate it will be very positive.
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

Title	World Talk
Publisher	Eurotalk
Language(s)	French, German, Italian, Spanish
Category	Games & Simulations; Language Learning
Skills	L S R W
Level	Intermediate
Description	Interactive listening activities are sorted by topic in an attractive 'roulette' wheel where learners notch up points by showing they recognise what they have heard; in another section, you can play a quiz game (questions are heard and read) against another player at the same computer or an on-screen competitor (-a real man, allegedly a program technician who was originally intending to be replaced by an animated character, but turned who turned out to be a much more realistic competitor …!!); a dictation room gives you some writing practice, and a recording studio room gives you some role play practice.
Curriculum manager response	Not produced specifically for the National Curriculum, but all elements can be mapped into a scheme of work to provide highly entertaining reinforcement of language. We would not use it as a tool for 'presenting' language in the way that the 'Talk Now' program could be used.
Teacher response	Useful for showing pupils that they can understand the gist of language, and get credit for this. Excellent for cover lessons! You can just let pupils loose on the CD ROM, and you know that they will gain from it.
Pupil response	All abilities, all types seem to enjoy this program. One of the most popular CD ROMs we have. They especially enjoy the TV Quiz where they try to beat the lovable competitor …!
Record up-dated	19.1.02.

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