Recommended software preparation for the TOEFL Test

Preparation Software for the TOEFL Test

American English Pronunciation Patterns Professional 4.2 (Based on Phonics) : Perfect English Pronunciation Software to Help You Improve Pronunciation, Speaking, Vocabulary, Spelling, Listening, and Reading, and Reduce Accent.

List Price: ~~$250.00~~
www.amazon.com's Price: $250.00
Condition: New
Average Customer Rating: 4.5

Features

• All the features in the professional 3.0 version plus the following features
• Integrated web browser with many advanced features to help you improve your listening and speaking
• International Phonetic Transcripts (IPA) and American Phonetic Transcripts (APA) for all 4,000 words
• Integrated video player to help you improve listening when you watch movies or MTVs
• 1 year membership to access many online contents such as online lessons, patterns tutorial, etc.

Good, but improvements are required

I am a professor spending a period abroad for researching.
I tried the product for almost two months before to buy. The support of Pronunciation Pattern is a very helpful and attentive. During the trial period, I had opportunity to told them my opinion. The software is good, but requires improvements, for example:
a) the learning curve is a little bit acentuated in the beginning and if someone don't insist, the things may not work. In my case, after two weeks I was able to take advantage of its funcionalities;
b)the interface requires adtional attention; in my opinion;
c)in order to reduce that curve, a better explanation about the method adopted could be provided, maybe a user manual or a methodology with steps to be followed (To be honest, there is a attempt in this sense there);
There is no exactly anything new in the approach, nothing you can't find in advanced ESL books. The merit of the software is gather several resources in one place easily accessible.
Anyway, as every self-study material, it will require discipline and persistence so that you can reach results. Every ability you are able to study daily, during some months, certainly will be improved.

Great interactive software - the best way to learn accurate pronunciation

I've tried many audio books, CDs, and even taking classes in order to get rid of my French accent. This program is definitely the best so far. Well worth the investment (much cheaper than taking a class) and you can go back to it over and over again. Personally I think the best way to use it is to study 30 minutes a day. There are so many words for each sound that it takes a while to master a sound. One of the best features is that you can save words for review later. So you narrow down your list of words to the ones that you want to practice in particular. Another great feature is to see the IPA pronunciation next to the word you are listening to. It really helps understand how the words should be pronounced. I love the on-line dictionary linked to [...]. It allows you to learn so many new words by just the click of a button. There are so many features that it takes a while to master them all. You need to spend 1-2 days to understand how the software works. If you don't take the time to learn, you can become easily frustrated. The only drawback is that there are quite a lot of bugs in particular when you need to download an update. Just be patient. The creator of the software is very reponsive and helpful in helping you redownload the software. I highly recomment this product. But again, practice is the key!

Lots of bugs

I installed the trial version on my Windows Vista 64 and it hangs when starting. I am a software developer myself, and I can tell that the program is very poorly written, lots of bugs.

excellent program!

I usually don't leave a review on the net. Actually, this is my first time to leave a review on Amazon, even though I am a long-time Amazon member. However, I'd like to share a few thoughts about Pronunciation Pattern for those who are interested in an English accent program.

As an ESL instructor for many years, I've tried many different accent reduction programs (books, CDs, etc.) for my ESL students. I've literally come across hundreds of them. Many are terrible, some are ok, and a few are good, but this program is the BEST. It really stands out.

Since other reviewers have already mentioned about the good features of this program, let me just make my review brief.

PROS:
* The online support is GREAT! I've contacted customer service several times so far, and I always get a prompt response - sometime just in a few minutes! I am really impressed with their online support. So far I've been 100% satisfied.
* This program is VERY comprehensive. It deals with so many different aspects of English pronunciation. It also covers several thousand English words, NOT only a few hundred. It's not like you study a few days and then there's nothing more left. I know from personal experience there are many accent reduction programs (and books with CDs) out there with very little content. This program offers not only the sounds of individual words and sentences but also clear phonological explanations.
* This program is good for advanced ESL students too.
* Like most non-natives, ESL students are familiar with the IPA, and this program lets you choose IPA to practice the sounds of English.
* What I really like about this program is they keep upgrading this program automatically. I think that's another plus for this program

CONS:
* The high price might be a problem for some ESL students. But l still believe this program is best on the market.
* Since this is a computer-based program, some people might think this program is complicated to use.
* Not really a "con," but there are a lot of features in this program to learn. If you are looking for a simple English accent course, this program is probably NOT for you.

BOTTOM LINE:
If you are an ESL student (or instructor) looking for a program that reduce your foreign accent, look no further. I say it again: This program is the BEST

Pronunciation Patterns is such a wonderful software.

The Trial version (30 days) was so convincing that I ordered the Network version a couple of months later (time to gather the necessary amount of money to purchase it online). Then, I showed it to a friend of mine, an ESL too. He is harder than myself to be convinced that a software is a must-have.

Surprisingly, after having tested it a few days long, he asked me to order a second copy for his own computer.

As an ESL I need to refresh my pronunciation a couple of weeks before each trip to the USA in order to be immersed as quickly as possible. Now thanks to Pronunciation Patterns, this task has become an easy daily brain exercise.

If you download the Trial Version, don't be shy: Click every button. Click every link. Take the time to explore every room of this very big apartment. Every corner of the magic place is worth a visit. All the positive reviews reflect what I think about this wonderful software.

I ordered the Network version out of curiosity: Which new features will be added in the future or How to make the best even better? A special thanks for the excellent Customer Service.

Last but not least, I ordered a third copy to help little schoolers (9-12) in Africa learn how to pronounce English accurately.

Product Description

No Longer Available. Please refer to Pronunciation Pattern Network Edition 6.0. Free Trial at Pronunciation Patterns Site.
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