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Vocabulary and Spelling -- a great learning tool for kids and adults

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 29 / 31
Date: November 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My Word Coach DS (we liked the Wii version so much that we also bought the DS game - the DS stylus makes it easier to write, but my son likes the Wii's fun factor, and the Wii remote seems to keep him more involved in the learning process) - Do you have a kid who hasn't read enough to build a large vocabulary and strong spelling skills OR a kid who finds words fascinating? This game works for both, and provides lots of word practice with a series of different games -- my kid seemed almost surprised at the end of his first series that he had learned so much. There's lots of reading (definitions, etc.) which I think would make it tricky for kids much younger than ten. The game has progress graphs and high score history for encouragement and provides a word review after play. There are vocabulary games (e.g. Split Decision where you match the word on the screen to its correct definition) and spelling games (what could be more fun than grafitti-style spray painting to fill in the missing letter or correct a wrong letter?), with six training games in all and a couple of 'recreational' DS games. There are lots of options to keep a player's interst as the game gets harder -- for instance, both definitions may be wrong in Split Decision. My soon-to-be eleven year old plays until the professor tells him to stop for the day (after he's mastered a profile-determined word list). There's a slight learning curve, but he figured it out on his own without getting frustrated. He intuitively began picking up on clues such as how to guess a word from the definition. My son says it's "lots of fun -- almost, but not quite, like a regular game." I predict libraries and after-school programs will be holding lots of competitions with this game.

Good but not great!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 22 / 32
Date: November 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is a week attempt to "Improve your Vocabulary". One of the most important parts of learning a new word is how to pronouce it. This game does not do that. I had hoped the game would say the word and at a minimum show how to pronounce it. During game play, only music is played.

There are only two games that help you build your vocabulary...there should be more (increasing your vocabulary is not easy if your memory isn't great, so repetition is key). The other games challenge your spelling.

Before playing any of the games, the first step should be to learn a new word and it's definition. And then based on that, these games should then challenge those new words and definition. Instead you are challenged on words and their definition without having learned them first and of course, if you aren't familiar with a word and it's meaning you lose points if you guess wrong. This game also lacks a word usage challenge. By the way, if you are not a fast reader, you won't do so well at playing "Split Decision".

This game gets 3 stars because the graphics and usability are good and the games are challenging and fun. I hope in it's next version, all these issues will be resolved.

I don't recommend this for anyone younger than ten. I'm sure it's rated "E" because of the lack of sexual content, inappropriate language and violence.

Happy Learning...

Finally, a comprehensive language game experience on the DS.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 29 / 31
Date: November 17, 2007
Author: Amazon User

While some other "nongames" provide limited access to linguistics-based challenges, this is the first I've seen to really capture the joy of engaging with language. I am seriously impressed with this title, and I've been recommending it to parents and colleagues alike.

The good stuff:
- All six training games are engaging, and they never get old, since the words are always changing.
- Even the games that focus on spelling are simultaneously engaging you with definitions.
- The training games feel intuitive with the DS stylus, moreso than I imagine the Wii Remote might feel.
- The games are physically fun to play. Move, arrange, rotate, or draw objects. It's more than just writing.
- The game has intelligently tracked my vocabulary level; I constantly feel challenged, but not overwhelmed.
- The unlocks come frequently, but the pacing is deliberately gradual to retain words in active memory.
- A great experience for 10-30 minutes a day.

What to watch out for:
- As far as I can tell, there is no left-handed support for the one training game where you hold the DS vertically. This is actually a pretty unforgivable oversight. If you are left-handed, you may want to think twice about this purchase.
- Remember that you can turn off the music in the settings screen, and that you will probably want to.

Another review mentioned the lack of pronunciation guide as a problem. I agree that it's a missed opportunity, but it's not a dealbreaker. The lack of southpaw support might be, though, if you happen to be left-handed.

Great vocabulary builder!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 26 / 37
Date: November 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

To the person above that said that left-handers couldn't do this game is wrong. I am left handed and when I read the review that left handers may not enjoy this game at all, I thought oh no. I purchased this game anyway because I have Spelling Challenge DS and loved it and was excited to see that they made another word game!

Left handers out there, no worries. The game does not decrease your fun at all.

The vocabulary game is so much fun that I, an adult gamer, am certainly learning many new words! This game is fun if you love vocabulary and spelling! Great for teens and up!

Games include:

Fill in the blanks,
Match the meanings to the word given
Word stack (find words as letters drop down before they hit the top)
Unscramble words
Spell the mystery word faster than your computer opponent

As you play, you unlock more games!

Who would have thought spelling & vocabulary is fun!

Fun for children, a little boring for adults

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: November 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game can be fun for children but the vocabulary is far too simple for most adults to find challenging. If you are over the age of twelve this game is probably not for you.

Left-handed people avoid.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: December 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Consists of various games to increase your vocabulary and general spelling. Good but not comparable to the general Brain training series as this amount of games are limited. Some games require you to turn the device sideways. As with other games this one however doesn't ask whether you are right or left handed and assume the first. It is therefore a real struggle to play a time based game with the information behind your writing hand. If you are lefthanded, avoid! This will only amount to hours of frustration.

Warning: Worst calligraphy ever!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: December 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have not seen writing detection this bad ... well... since ever.
Just try to write an "E" and see what happens.

If I write the capital "E" it will pick it up as "A" or "F" Or "I"

The lower case "e" gets picked up as "z" or "o"

Even brain age had much better recognition this piece of ...
This game might just frustrate the heck out of you!

My Word Coach

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: December 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am left-handed and I have had no problem playing this game. This was the first game for Nintendo DS that I played and I would recommend it for anyone who is not a serious "gamer" but loves trivia games and challenging themselves! I have only played this game for two days and I feel that I have already learned some great new words!

Valuable Learning Tool

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: December 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is not only a great learning tool, but fun also. Great for anyone who wants to increase their word potential. I'm returning to college after 30 years and found it to be a great tune-up for the papers I am going to be writing.

A fun engaging skill builder

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 30
Date: December 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I like this game as it has the literary building skills not present in so much product these days.The word challenging could be upped to keep older players engaged,but none the less there are challenges here.
If you want to extend your vocabulary, My Word Coach is a decent mentoring tool. It raises a variety of challenges, but it controls much better on DS than Wii.

An Interface doesn't get much simpler, but the graphic look is clean and ledgible.
Not only engaging and challenging, but you will really learn new vocabulary while increasing expression.
No doubt,This product could be stylistically refined, however it is such fun to be able to engage in enjoyable activities- including word recognition, spelling challenges, and vocabulary definition. The game includes 16,800 words from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary! Not bad!!

When you play My Word Coach, it assesses, monitors, and rewards your verbal-Expression Potential, It scores your ability to actually understand, command and express the English language effectively. The higher your number out of a possible 100%, the better you are able to express, command words- and ultimately master language! I found playing with my daughter very engaging.She is 14,and told me it was her favorite game this year!!.

While the Wii(tm) version takes advantage of the Wii Remote(tm) through lively mini-games and user friendly controls, the Nintendo DS(tm) version makes full use of the system's dual Touch Screen.It provides me and my family engagaging skill building activity. My daughter is left handed and she had no problems with the controls.(others mentioned this as a possible factor)
All in all I like it very much!! Better yet, so does my daughter.If you like scrabble this is a game for you.

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