Reviewer, 2008-08-18 07:54:00

LearnWords - training program to accelerate learning foreign words on PC, PDA, smartphone: 12 exercises, 20 languages, scheduling repetitions, transcriptions and pronunciation, auto moving of words, freeware editor, free vocabularies.

Pros: LearnWords is a training program that helps learn foreign languages. Versions are available that work on the desktop, PDA, smartphone and other portables like Pocket PC. For learning each word in the given language’s dictionary a set of basic exercises are executed. These are "Card", "Mosaic", "Select translation", "Guess translation", "Select word" and "Writing". As user reaches higher levels of proficiency, these exercises change. The level of proficiency is judged by the points accumulated by the user. Points get added when correct replies are given and reduced when wrong answers are given. Current version adds statistics related to learning efforts; total time of study, completed lessons, average time of answer, negative answers etc.

Scheduling of repetitions repeats words to help with remembering a word. Repetitions are considered one definite way of learning. Auto moving is feature by which a slideshow of words, transcription and pronunciation of the foreign words. Games and other forms are used to enhance effectiveness of learning. A built-in editor in the dictionary of words provided that lets you add your own notes to each word. A learnwords editor helps editing/arranging words in your own way. Words, their phonetic form and the meaning in a given language are available, these can be editing with simple controls and a virtual keyboard in the target language. More than 20 languages are supported.

Cons: Whether the exercises prescribed in the program are the most effective or not could be debatable. One needs to make sure the dictionaries supported ate correct as far as meaning and pronunciation are correct.

Overall a nice and effective program. Generally it is easy to use. It can be rated at 4 stars quite easily.