Customer Reviews

Berlitz Rush Hour German (German Edition)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this about a month before going on my honeymoon to Europe (most of which was in Germany and Austria). It helped tremendously. I listened to it every day on the commute to and from work, and by the time we landed in Frankfurt I was able to get around reasonably well. I especially liked how, unlike most foreign language tapes, it did not require you to keep up with a written book (always difficult when you are driving). My only issue with it was that it tended to focus more on dating someone who speaks German rather than traveling to a German speaking country.

My husband and I are preparing for a trip to Germany this summer. I got this out of the library, and we love it! We're amazed to find how many phrases we've retained after just a few listens, thanks to the silly but catchy songs. We're always singing them to each other.

As other reviewers have pointed out, it may have made sense to include more travel-related material, but nevertheless we've been very pleased with these CDs.

I bought this a month ago and my family and friends are shocked at how much I've learned. I learned how to tell someone my name, how to ask their name, how to say "it's nice to meet you" and "it's nice to meet you too!" and numbers 1-12 all in the FIRST DAY! Since you are learning by song, you remeber phrases and their meanings much easier and faster than you would by reading a book. Sure, the songs are a little cheesey but they get the job done. Wonderful beginners German learning tool! A+

I took 2 years of German 30 years ago, and before going to Germany/Austria this summer bought this CD. Listened to it on my way to/from work each day for 3 weeks, trying to "brush up" and actually remember what I learned so long ago. It worked great! I really had no trouble once I got to Germany. Although the songs are a bit silly, they do work. The vocabulary is good, especially reviewing things I learned in beginning German class. It's an easy and effective way to review German.

I'm a great believer in the "listen and repeat" method of foreign language learning. Unfortunately, the opportunity for repetition is foregone in favor of these ridiculous ditties. Each lesson begins with large chunks of dialogue, mostly in English, before launching into an endless stream of irritating songs which seem to serve no purpose other than to reduce the clarity of the vocabulary. The "engaging" scenarios are just plain dumb. I was seduced by the Berlitz name; more fool me.

"Drive Time Italian" was much more useful for actually beginning to speak the language and I supplemented the vocabulary with Rick Steve's little wonder book. So, I'm good for Italy but will have to depend on recall from high-school for Germany.

Ugh, I couldn't even get past the first CD.

The music is awful, but I could forgive that if I felt that the songs were helping me learn. They just get in the way - they totally missed the point of musical learning, in that none of the songs present the language in a manner that sticks, it's just distracting. And the music makes it *very* hard to hear all the subtle intonations of the pronunciation.

I took German in college, and do have a background with this language, I wanted a refresher course. This is NOT the refresher course I was after!

I am just beginning to learn German and this (along with a book) was my first purchase. I gotta say this was money WELL spent. A great introductory tool. The songs really make the German stick with you and some are downright catchy, even if they are a bit cheesy ( I wasn't expecting Led Zeppelin ). The accompanying booklet helps with any words that may sound unclear at first or are spoken quickly. A workmate of mine took 2 years of German in school and is blown away by how much I've learned so quickly. If your goal, like mine, is to become fluent you're gonna need alot more of course, but this is a great way to begin. Especially if you're stuck in traffic most days.

To really learn German fast and efficiently (just the way I like it:), I am simultaneously listening to and practicing with Rosetta Stone Version 3: German Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio CompanionV3, Pimsleur German I, II and III (Comprehensive) with Audiofy USB Reader (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips), Mostly Martha (and other movies in German), this Berlitz Rush Hour, and others, and I'm really enjoying this as one of the best for beginners.

There's a story going on between the characters, so in a way, you're motivated to keep listening to find out what will happen and how the story ends.

It covers the basics to say at home, at work, when travelling, eating out, etc. It's for beginners so there will be some English dialogue that makes it easier to learn the German sentences. The German sentences are also put into songs, which makes me remember them easier. I like this and I'm looking for something Intermediate since I'm close to memorizing/learning every word and phrases on this one.

I bought this before heading to Germany for vacation and I had already been learning some German on my own via other sources for a few weeks. I listened to this CD in my car for about a week and though the running storyline for the skits is a bit cheesy, the songs stuck in my head and the dialogue was actually very helpful and the pronounciation was very good. My kids even starting repeating the phrases. I recommend it for anyone that wants a no-stress beginning German review or to start with some basics.

The CD's are helpful and the musical aspects help you pick it up fast. For someone who wants to be able to have basic conversations in German in a few days, this product is quite useful.