Customer Reviews

Farsi Persian, Conversational: Learn to Speak and Understand Farsi Persian with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This pack comes with 8 CDs, which is 16 half-hour lessons. There is no book - the theory is that your accent will be better if you learn from speech only and without writing things down. For a grammar-nerd like me, it was a difficult proposition, but I really think it works. From the very first half-hour session, you feel you are making impressive progress. Each session starts with a short conversation, which is pretty incomprehensible when you first hear it, and then the lesson goes on to introduce you to the words and phrases, so that by the end, you can understand the conversation. The recording is beautifully clear, with a man and woman taking turns to speak the Farsi, and an American man walking you through, pointing out the alien sounds you need to pay extra attention to, and prompting you with bits of English so that you can supply the Farsi in the gaps. You will often work with a phrase for a minute or two, and then move on to something else, only to be prompted for the original phrase again ten minutes later - it is hugely satisfying when you manage to recall it correctly, and hear the Persian voice come in and say exactly what you just said. This publisher knows how to make you feel good; the other clever move is that they never explain grammar, but through their choice of examples they allow you to infer grammar over time (hmm, seems like every time we say "you" do something, it ends with that sound, and every time we say "I" do something, it ends with this other sound...). This sense of self-discovery motivates you to keep listening, although you are discouraged from tackling more than one lesson in a day. In fact you will probably want to listen to most of the lessons twice before moving on, but that still allows you to obtain a decent level of basic Farsi in just one month, during your morning commute.
You can't beat this package for value either. If you're interested in learning Farsi, get this *first*. It's a great way to start out.

this is the best language learning method i have used. i have a degree in french and linguistics and i can tell you that from a technical standpoint these cds are excellent. you learn things you don't even realize you're learning, you repeat A LOT but somehow you're not bored by it (the way they set it up is so that you repeat things but in a different "conversation"), and you don't just learn travel-type information -- it's stuff you would use if you had farsi-speakers in your life or as acquaintances. it also gives cultural information so that you don't make any faux pas when speaking and so you can better understand the context for the language. so worth the money. you can actually come out speaking fairly competently.

it has been a great introduction to the persian language. i am learning a lot of great phrases and i especially enjoy hearing pronunciation from an iranian man and woman.

I am mildly surprised at the rave reviews for this course, and I suspect none of the reviewers have tried carrying out a conversation lasting even two minuters in Persian/Farsi. While the Pimsleur method has its advantages, this little course contains barely 100 words. Getting by in Persian with only 100 words is about as easy as getting by in English with that amount of words. Sure, you'll be able to introduce yourself, ask how the other person is, say that it is a nice day today, say where you come from and ask them where they come from. That's it.

Now, if that is your goal, go for it! It is nothing wrong with it, it will be nice little way to break the ice with Iranians. However, that is not what I call "Learn to speak and understand". You won't be able to speak and won't understand what Iranians are saying, apart from those polite phrases. If the course was very cheap, this might still be justified, but as there are a number of courses here at Amazon for the same price that will teach you ten times more (you'll actually get to tools to start having real conversations), I don't really see why you should spend your money of this course.

This method of learning a language is the best I've ever used, and I am a visual person, but I am learning fairly quickly and am enjoying it thoroughly. The speakers speak very clearly and the repetition is enough to catch on but not enough to be boring.

The best investment I have ever made in learning the conversational end of a foreign language. Head and shoulders above any language CD that I have ever used. This is a great place for anyone to begin their journey into Persian (Farsi).

This is the product you want if you need to speak a little Farsi. If you want to speak like a native, buy the full course. Highly recommended

This is the best Farsi learning tool I have ever used! After 30 minutes I could say so much! I am half Persian, so I have heard Farsi my whole life but never learned. I shocked everyone when I started speaking Farsi. This really helps you with the accent too. The only thing I would say may be negative about it is that the Farsi that you are learing is the "formal" way of saying everything. This isnt bad; however, when you talk to your friends in a formal tone they may laugh (and think you are cute). But it is appropriate when talking to people older than you, or those that you respect.

Clearly meets expectations. I suggest playing the CDs over and over again, twenty minutes or so at a time--distributed sessions. The Farsi words will simply sink in without effort. The best thing about this CD is the very clear pronunciation. It's done very slowly and clearly, and then the Farsi speakers speed up for many more tries at normal speech level. It's basic, but good.

Easiest method learning to speak Fasi without attending a class. I have recommended this to friends.