Loro English - Spanish, Spanish - English app for iPhone and iPad
Language learning tool and dictionary
Learn languages while you are on the go. Sitting in a waiting room, on your way to work or on the beach. List of most important words in Spanish and English. The word list represents the core vocabulary of each language. Words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Some words are easy others are more difficult as they are used for reporting world events and describing discoveries in medicine and science.
*** App does not work on the iPad ***
Spaced repetition is a learning technique in which increasing intervals of time are used between subsequent reviews. Loro gradually adapts the optimum spacing of repetitions. Pimsleur language courses are famous for using spaced repetition algorithms.
What can you do with Loro?
* Spanish speakers can learn English with Loro
* English speakers can learn Spanish with Loro
* Use the bilingual dictionary
* Use Loro to improve your pronunciation
* Use your iPhone as a learning device
Features
* Over 1700 English words
* Over 1700 Spanish words
* Over 1700 audio files in English
* Over 1700 audio files in Spanish
* All words recorded by native speakers
* Example sentences and word descriptions
* Advanced learning algorithm built in
* Learn through spaced repetition
* Leitner system
* Built in bilingual dictionary
* Quick incremental search in dictionary
* Statistics to track your learning progress
* No network connection needed
* Future updates are free
* Built-in help
* Send in your word proposals
Why you want to learn with Loro
* Through the spaced repetition algorithm you will be able to learn effectively and efficiently.
* Only 10 minutes of learning a day improves your language skills considerably.
* Each word has a description or example sentence.
* Word count of the descriptions is 40.000.
Check out the screencast at prometoys.com.
Other keywords: inglés, español, diccionario, idioma, lengua
Pros and cons of Loro English - Spanish, Spanish - English app for iPhone and iPad
Loro English - Spanish, Spanish - English app good for
I bought this app by accident, searching for "Loro", seeing the icon, reading the note that says "previous customers, upgrade by purchasing it, you will not be charged" - but it turns out this is actually a different app; this one is a vocabulary tool. Its actually pretty good and I like it - $10 was a little pricy but I can live with it. But the branding needs to be separated and they definitely need different icons. Be sure you have the right one. Also, prometoys could really benefit from a separate product support forums, not one blog.
Positives:
Large selection of words for a Spanish teaching program.
All the words for both Spanish and English have vocals that can be listen to anytime!
Version 2 is much more convenient and customizable than the initial version.
Interesting learning assist system – Be sure to Google, "Leitner system"
Simple dictionary includes bilingual definitions of all the words.
Statistics shows your progress for any and all words.
Instructional tutorial is built in to the program.
*It has been teaching me Spanish*
Negatives:
It requires more self-study then some other Spanish apps.
Irritating problems with some words. This stops it from being 5 stars.
Suggestions:
Allow unselecting the word shown in learn mode.
Some simple exercises and/or games that help you use the words and promote study.
Summary: One of the best value Spanish self teaching programs for the iPod.
Version 2 rating based on current $2.99 price.
Note: Learn mode is a self test. You need to be honest with yourself and study the words you missed on the test. With the vocals and dictionary mode this is fairly easy. Based on your feedback, the app then creates a new list of words for the next test.
Needs a hands free continuose play for driving etc. Voice recognition for "yes" and "no". All in all a good app. Thx.
Despite a 3 year old review saying it doesnt work with the latest iOS (at the time), I took a chance and found out it works fine with iOS 5 on my 3GS.
Some bad moments
Lots of fun, but there are hundreds of mistakes. Dont be surprised when an adjective is labelled as an adverb, or when the pronunciation is for a different word than the one shown, or if the translation is only valid for an uncommom usage of the word, or when four different translations are listed for the same word with no help in picking the right one for the context.
Application worked fine and was very useful but since downloading iPhone new operating system on 17 June 2009 it fails to work.
