Muzzy Spanish

Anyone tried "Muzzy" language courses? What did ya think?

I was thinking about purchasinf the "Muzzy" language course for my 8 and 7 yr olds. Has anyone had any experience with these? I would love any feedback before I invest in them.

Public Comments

1. True Story: I got the Muzzy program for my oldest son back in 2001. It was a Spanish course. I personally thought the videos were cheesy BUT he learned. I am one of the few parents who will keep up with something like this. A lot of parents will either stop or give up at a certain point. I persevered. My son is now 19. Fluent in Spanish and French. His fluency in Spanish is based on his experience with the Muzzy program and his French is from the Rosetta Stone programs. I highly recommend Muzzy. Whatever you do, DON'T stop. It's the repitions that can be a little boring and nerve wracking but it's well worth it! Do what I did. I paid nothing for the program. I simply went to a public library and they carried the programs. Check there first, if they don't then purchase the program. EDIT - I just wanted to reinforce what the answerer said about kids won't become fluent in a foreign language without interaction. It's true. In order to become fluent in a foreign language it has to be used EVERYDAY. So there is no point in teaching a child Swahili if that language is scarce here. My son's father is fluent in spanish so that is how my son exercised everyday by having his father speak to him in spanish. He learned french because he now lives in Montreal, Canada and french is mostly spoken there. Contrary to what the answerer said about a child not be able to be fluent from one program. My son is an example of someone who can learn it's just up to the parents to be persisitent if they want to see results.
2. I'm skeptical. Kids need interaction in a language to really learn it and use it. Think about how your kids learned their first language -- did you and their other family members just sit around and talk around them, or did you interact with them? Interaction is essential to learning a language. It looks to me like this program is based entirely on DVDs, with a few supplemental storybooks and activity books. To me the entire program sounds like a great supplement or starting point for language learning, but unless you find a fluent speaker for the kids to spend time with and talk with, eventually their language growth will stall (assuming they learn anything at all from the DVDs). I don't think it would hurt for you get them for free if you can and try them out. But I doubt your kids are going to become fluent in any language just from one program like this.