Sonica Spanish

The UK government's Department for Education and Skills have recently commissioned Sonica Spanish, a software and dance mat package for teaching Spanish to key stage two (7 to 11 year olds) pupils:

"Sonica Spanish is stimulating software for teaching and learning about Spanish language and culture. Encourages pupils to enjoy learning languages at an early age - they learn whilst having fun with interactive games, dance mat activities and karaoke.  Created with the teacher in mind - includes full support notes and audio/visual dictionary. Ideal for teachers with basic or no grasp of Spanish."

Sounds fantastic! Available from March 2005, a site license will cost you £284.50 (dance mat available everywhere, separately), includes a range of learning activities - including dance mat and karaoke - a journal facility for pupils and a cartoon Spanish family (who look suspiciously like the characters from Nick TV's Fairy Odd Parents).

You can check out a review from Fraser, a 10 year old from Norfolk, over at the CBBC newsround site.

What we need to know is when are they going to release the software for private use, and when are they going to release other language packs?

And when can we expect to see the first modern language dance mat mini-Olympics?

Comments

[Amanda]

i would like to be able to play ddr on pc without buying or paying for anything and when your website says demo i expect to SEE A DEMO THAT I CAN ACTUALLY PLAY!!!

[Josie Fraser]

I too would like to play a ton of games on my pc without paying or buying anything. As soon as the games companies realise what a key educational blog this is and grant me the keys to the gaming kingdom, I'll drop you a line. BTW, where does it say demo?

[ceara]

my name is ceara smith and im here to learn my sonica spanish

[ceara]

i am a teacher and need to teach

[Kamaal]

My name is miss Carly Thorp and i'm here to learn Sonica Spanish to my class.