Books & Guides > Audio/Visual Learning

Advantages: Good for building confidence and constructing general sentences
Disadvantages: Focuses on conversation; no specific vocabulary fields

...intended as a follow-on to Michel Thomas's initial eight-hour course as well as his advanced course in Spanish. It comprises two hour-long CDs and, unlike the beginners' course, this time there is a thirty-two page booklet, pages 9 to 28 of which actually list expressions in Spanish. The aim of the Language Builder is to increase your vocabulary and boost your confidence in conversation. Having an interest in learning foreign languages and having ...
...few people who have found Michel Thomas's French beginners' course useful but perhaps not sufficient as a stand-alone method of language learning. I don't hide the fact that I am very sceptical of learning any language without writing it down or having a text book to refer to, so I was encouraged to find that there was at least a small booklet provided with the Language Builder. I think some people found the inclusion of the two students quite annoying ... Read review

Advantages: A good balance between the bare essentials and some wider, useful vocab
Disadvantages: the 'interactive' dialogues are useless, and waste precious minutes

The Berlitz group are well known for their language schools, phrase books and learn-at-home language packs, and have been well established for many years. The pack I borrowed from the library was originally conceived in 1970 though this edition was produced in 1997. Spanish doesn't change, but lifestyles do, so be prepared for some phrases last heard in the good old days BZ (before Zoë), and of course lots of reference to the large numbers formerly ...
...there, I quite like the Berlitz approach to learning presented here. I think the phrase book and cassette complement each other well, as you can learn the basics at home and then take the book with you for a top-up while away, or to learn extra vocab you may need (if you need the phrase 'where can I find an English speaking Rabbi with a temple in a fortress' for example). The transcripts of the cassette dialogues are a definite bonus, and I like ... Read review

Advantages: good balance between conversation, grammar, exercises and new words
Disadvantages: Chinese language in itself!

Conversational Chinese 301 is a very good learning material for beginner students of Chinese. The series consists of two volumes for a total of 40 lessons and 8 reviews. Alongside the books there are six audio CDs and it is possible to buy also the DVDs, although, after checking them, I don't find them as useful as the books and CDs. The course has a good balance between conversation, grammar, exercises and new words. The book is aimed to teach ...
...I also like the black and white cartoon illustrations in the books. Each lesson in the books and CDs is divided into six parts: 1. Sentences They give a "taste" of the subject that will be discussed in the unit. The sentences are between four and eight per unit, written in Chinese characters with translation in pinyin and English. 2. Conversation The conversations incorporate all of the sentences just learned but without the English translation ... Read review

Advantages: A unique approach to language learning
Disadvantages: Random sentences, and no reading/writing practice

...2 hour introductory course from Michel Thomas. I've never used a Michel Thomas course before, but I had heard of him, of course. In fact, I defy any frequent European flyer and Sunday Times reader to say they haven't heard of the guy, since adverts for his language packs seem to appear in almost all in-flight magazines at some point or another. My preconceived ideas were that he looked a bit odd (old, but not in a kind granddad way, more in a grumpy ...
...you have to wait for Michel to correct them before you can continue. This is annoying if you have already paused the CD to decide the answer yourself and just want to know whether you got it right. It is further complicated by the fact that Mr Thomas says 'No!' for 2 different reasons - when the grammar is incorrect but also when the pronunciation is. At several points when the student had the same answer as me, but was still reprimanded, I was confused ... Read review

Advantages: Range Of Course, Quick,
Disadvantages: Expensive, Unsure On Validity

...is one of the biggest distance learning colleges in the world which claims to offer over 600 courses worldwide. They are based in Bude, Cornwall, UK but distance learning can be completed either via the postal service or online. Postal tuition comes in the form of text books, paper books put together with enough information to guide you through your chose course in the hope you pass. As with all learning you are expected to source your own external ...
...use. You post your work with a cover sheet and receive a marked response usually 7 days later, though you do not receive the work you sent so it is worth keeping a copy. Each student will be assigned a tutor who marks their work and can be contacted directly via the college should you need assistance with any of the questions. The text books sent by the college are divided into chapters and each state the aims of what you are expected to have learnt ... Read review