Most people learn a language best in a class or by being immersed sink-or-swim into an environment where the language is used. But learners don't always have those options. The most important thing you need to know before buying products for teaching yourself Spanish is your learning style. Visual learners tend to learn best by seeing, auditory learners by hearing, and kinesthetic learners by doing or through motion. Pick a product to match your learning style and you'll be more effective.

Audiotapes and CDs
Audiotapes and CDs are obviously best for auditory learners. Tape-only packages tend to emphasize conversation rather than grammar and thus are best for those who are seeking to learn Spanish for limited purposes, such as for travel. Try to find tapes or CDs that have the same accent (such as those of Spain or Argentina) that you'll be using.

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Videotapes
If you're a visual learner, look for videotapes that do more than simply add talking heads to what you'd find on an audiotape. On-location examples of spoken speech, Sesame Street-style graphics and other visual effects can help to make videotapes more effective than their audio counterparts.

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Software
Well-done software can be effective for people of all learning styles. Strong interactivity — the software should do more than be a set of electronic flashcards — is particularly important for kinesthetic learners, who often learn better if they can type what they're learning or are given the opportunity to speak.

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Books
Books can be a good choice for visual learner, although they should be supplemented by some sort of audio instruction for those planning to use Spanish in conversation. Kinesthetic learners can learn more effectively if they write down what they're learning, and they should choose workbooks or other books that have an abundance of exercises.

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