posted by Catherine on May 18
Pimsleur Language Program: Quick And Simple Course – Introductory Level.
Format: 5 Language CD’s – plus 1 CD for Course Introduction.
Style: 100% listening and repetition of words and phrases.
Language: Latin/Roman Script – (My Language: Same)
Have I Tried This Language Before? - Yes, but still a beginner.
General Comments:
This course was perfect for the beginner as it was so simply laid out.
There was a recorded conversation at the beginning of each module/unit and then you were asked to repeat certain words and phrases to become part of that conversation.
At the end of each unit you could then converse similarly to the original conversation as well as using many new words along the way.
You were offered gaps in the narration and conversations to speak aloud and would then hear the correct words or phrases afterwards to check your progress.
It did get rather too repetitive at certain points and I was just repeating the same words over and over again. And to be honest, once you know the word ‘peso’ you know the word ‘peso’!
The whole course didn’t really get anywhere fast in terms of language – I mean I wouldn’t be able to do much more than partake in 2 or 3 conversations in the language, but this was more than compensated for by being able to complete the course with ease.
Many courses just get too involved and you end up giving up part way in – but this course you just had to finish – it was silly not to.
There was no written text either, so it was great that you couldn’t see what was coming up next and start to get worried. The number of times I have flicked through a language course text book and thought the last few modules/units were too complicated – and it almost makes you not want to get there, and you give up.
Similarly, as you didn’t know what was coming up, you didn’t worry about repeating yourself. Learning a new language isn’t always straight forward, and you may stop and start several times. This means that when you see a language text book, you find the same old things over and over, like directions and ‘what is your name’. It almost forms a barrier to learning.
But this course was easy to follow, easy to complete and nice and short. This is actually the first language course that I have actually 100% finished!
Ease Of Use: 5/5
Result: Finished And Confident
Reason: Perfect Layout For Me
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