Paul Noble’s “Learn Spanish” course is advertised as a beginner-friendly option, particularly appealing to those seeking a rapid introduction to the language before traveling or simply getting a basic grasp. This review dives into the specifics of this 13-hour audio course to determine if it lives up to the hype, especially for English speakers aiming to learn Spanish. While it offers some benefits, particularly for absolute beginners, it’s essential to understand its limitations.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Paul Noble method is its deliberate avoidance of explicit grammar lessons. While grammar is inherently present in any language course, Noble consciously downplays grammatical terminology and explanations. He seems to believe that focusing on grammar is a barrier to entry for new learners, opting instead for an approach that prioritizes speaking and practical phrases. This method, while aiming to make language learning less intimidating, might be a double-edged sword. It’s akin to trying to build a house without understanding the blueprints – you might get some walls up quickly, but the structural integrity could be questionable in the long run.
The course surprisingly starts with the Present Perfect tense, which is used to describe actions completed recently (“I have eaten,” “We have spoken”). This is unconventional for a beginner course, as many courses begin with the present tense. However, this approach does facilitate immediate sentence construction and encourages learners to start speaking early. Coupled with the present tense and the “ir + a” (to go to) structure, learners can quickly form basic sentences related to common scenarios. Think phrases like “Are you going to the party?” or “I’m going to eat.” While this rapid sentence construction is motivating initially, the lack of underlying grammatical explanation might hinder long-term retention and deeper understanding of Spanish grammar.
For a significant portion of the course, learners remain within the confines of present and present perfect tenses. The focus is heavily weighted towards practical, scenario-based vocabulary and phrases. You’ll learn how to navigate situations like booking hotel rooms, ordering food in restaurants, asking for directions, and other common travel scenarios. This practical focus is beneficial for immediate use in Spanish-speaking environments.
Later in the course, the simple past and future tenses are introduced, but somewhat briefly. Interestingly, the course then dedicates a considerable amount of time to repetition. While repetition is a valuable language learning technique, the extent of verbatim recaps and repeated number drills (1-100+ in both Latin American and Castilian Spanish variations, multiple times) in the latter part of the course feels excessive and could be perceived as padding. Introducing numbers and the alphabet earlier in the course might have been more logical, but perhaps this was avoided to adhere to Noble’s “no boring stuff” philosophy.
Despite its grammatical shortcomings, the Paul Noble course excels in its interactive audio format. It constantly prompts learners to actively participate by repeating and constructing sentences on the spot. This active recall method is highly effective for solidifying new vocabulary and sentence structures. Increasing the playback speed, as suggested by some users, can turn this into a challenging and engaging exercise in real-time sentence construction. Furthermore, the course can be beneficial in improving pronunciation and articulation. For those who feel hesitant to speak Spanish or have developed pronunciation habits that are not quite native-like, the course’s emphasis on vocalization can be a valuable tool to “loosen up the mouth muscles” and improve clarity.
In conclusion, “Learn Spanish With Paul Noble” is a mixed bag. It serves as a decent crash course for acquiring basic conversational Spanish quickly, especially for travelers needing practical phrases. The audio-based interactive approach is a strong point, encouraging active participation and improving pronunciation. However, for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Spanish language and its grammatical framework, this course falls short. It might be best utilized as supplementary material alongside a more structured learning approach that incorporates explicit grammar instruction, or as a very first step to build confidence before diving into more in-depth study. If your goal is to confidently order tapas and ask for directions on your next Spanish vacation, this course could be a helpful starting point. However, for true fluency and a deeper appreciation of the language, supplementary resources are highly recommended.
