Berlitz New Basic German [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Berlitz Guides (Creator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 9812460616 | ISBN-13: 978-9812460615 | Edition: Abridged

Features: - Interact with native speakers on the audio--you're an active participant in real life conversations, such as greetings, telling time, asking directions, and describing yourself and family and friends- Language learning tips, such as reading a Spanish newspaper or watching a Spanish-language movie, developed by the language experts at Berlitz- Reinforce your new skills through review sections, language checks, and extra activities- Includes a coupon for a Free Private Lesson at any Berlitz Language Center- Money Back GuaranteeAudience: - Beginner or brush-up- Anyone who doesn't have a lot of time- Anyone who likes to study at their own pace- Anyone interested in learning the basics of a language for business, pleasure or travelCompetition: - Living Language Complete Basic Course--overwhelming for beginners--40 lessons! $30.00- Barron's The Fast and Fun Way--dialogs aren't in natural contexts--audio lacks sound effects $49.95- DK/Hugo In Three Months--not available in CD format $29.95

Editorial Reviews

Review

The New Basic German program from Berlitz has not only been redesigned in a new "millennium" blue package but the entire course format and lessons have been revised to better appeal to today's language learner. The 128-page Course Book is filled with colourful graphics, maps, and illustrations. But along with that you'll discover practical vocabulary and topics, plus some imaginative exercise... The Berlitz lessons are well organized and well-designed. I particularly like the many practical activities for each lesson... I have awarded the Berlitz New Basic German program five stars (out of five) because it offers a superb introduction to German at a reasonable cost. Beginning learners of German will find it difficult to purchase a better introductory course at any price. About.com

About the Author

In January 2003, the renowned Berlitz Publishing became part of the Langenscheidt Group. The Langenscheidt Publishing Group, the premier group of map and travel companies, offers over 4,000 North American and international street maps, road maps, atlases, language-learning, bilingual dictionaries, and travel-related products covering countries, cities, and languages in every continent.

Product Details

• Audio CD: 208 pages
• Publisher: Berlitz Publishing; Abridged edition (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812460616
• ISBN-13: 978-9812460615
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,539,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mechanical...Lifeless...Overpriced, April 8, 2005

By 

Desmond "Hawthorne" (FRANCE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlitz New Basic German (Audio CD)

I have used this, and other, berlitz materials. I am a teacher of foreign languages and I have decided to review all of the Berlitz materials I have ever purchased or used. This one is rather like listening to a can opener. The price is also obscene for what you get. Shop around, you'll find better.
It seems to me that Berlitz has become a notorious exaggerator of its own worth. Critiques of Berlitz-related products are often so gushy and ecstatic with delight that they leave the reader believing that they could only have been written by Berlitz staff.

Berlitz products are notorious among foreign-language education professionals for their lack of exercises, their scanty grammatical explanations, their inflated prices, and the flashy pseudo-science of their famous "method" (a gussied-up listen-and-repeat scheme). The informed consumer will take the time to compare Berlitz "method" products with other, often university-related course supports. The focus of university-generated products is generally less on the marketing and the cultivation of repeat-buyers and more neutrally, disinterestedly geared towards the linguistic enrichment of the student.

The business traveller is particularly ill-served by methods that promise enormous bounds in fluency across short time periods. These travellers often find themselves seduced by grandiose promises--often while under high-stress conditions [foreign travel, foreign-language presentation preparations]--and end up rather disappointed for having been duped.

Any "method" that claims to produce fast, effortless results is suspect. Most "methods" are marketing illusions dreamed up by sales teams.

The Berlitz method, in my opinion and in that of many language professionals, is the foreign-language-learning equivalent of a get-rich-quick scheme. I have been disappointed by their products and teaching in every case I have ever crossed WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant starting course for german, November 17, 2004

By 

L. Rindels (northern ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlitz New Basic German (Audio CD)

I would not care for german if I did not come across this course. It gives great examples of everyday german sayings, and is very easy to follow. The accents are pretty realistic compared to native german speakers, and it allows you to be able to pronounce german words better. The course gives you just enough to help you in learning german, and will leave you wanting more. Thats why there is an intermidiate course. Although this course is very good, if you don't have a chance to talk to any native germans or any fluent speakers, than you should buy some grammer books, and verb books.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars pure marketing, April 24, 2006

By 

Professor Pussycat (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlitz New Basic German (Audio CD)

The folks at Berlitz must be getting desperate. Another listen-and-repeat songbook? One hour with ANY OTHER WORKBOOK will teach you the German you need to "get by" on your trip to Frankfurt. If you're a more serious student, just buy a more serious product. The bottom line is: this product just doesn't work and it's not in the least charming. The reviewers who give five stars are Berlitz employees and most of the reviews you're reading are sales pitches.
NOTE A DESTINATION DES PROFS: Ces livres sont du gaspillage total. Il faut les eviter ? tout prix ? risque de decevoir vos ?tudiants.