Joy of Talking: Spanish, deluxe edition

If the mid-'80s-style eyeglasses and hyperfloral attire don't distract you, this 1986 production from Dunbar University and Vidmark will probably teach you enough basic Spanish to help you get from the airport to your hotel by taxi, order food in a restaurant, and maybe tell a doctor why your stomach is upset. This is not a 64-minute video of grammar--in fact, there's no grammar, only functional phrases and sentences. The program also comes with a vocabulary reference booklet and an audiocassette to use when you're away from the VCR.

Even as you're learning how to hail a taxi at the airport by repeating after your teacher and following along with her student, you won't actually see an airport or a taxi. This is probably the video's greatest drawback: it's a totally utilitarian approach that doesn't exploit its visual medium. You'll have to get a travel video if you want to see anything. Indeed, this is not the most modern teaching method, either--but in lieu of an actual teacher it is helpful to see the speakers' mouths and facial expressions as they talk. Despite its weak pedagogical approach and dated production values, the video is for you if you want a somewhat serious beginner's language program but with absolutely no burdensome grammar. The audiocassette makes this a versatile program. The main advantage of this video actually is the cultural notes that the teacher provides as she covers each thematic area. --Erik J. Macki