Customer Reviews

French, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand French with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have used several different language programs in the past and this one is hands down THE WORST. On the first 9 of 10 lessons (I just couldn't listen to the 10th) I have learned maybe 50 words: the numbers 1, 2, 8 and 9 (3? 4? 5?) and have been asked to repeat the phrase "quelque chose" approximately 750 times - not an exaggeration - since there is no vocabulary to practice (I'd like to eat SOMETHING. I'd like to drink SOMETHING. I'd like to buy SOMETHING). As for the somethings - eating has no vocab, drinking eventually got to "some wine" and "some beer" (where's the water?) and, you guessed it, nothing to buy. It consists of 2 conversations - "Do you speak or understand French or English?" and "Would you like to eat or drink something?" I don't know the pronouns yet, nor the conjugations for the verb "to be." If I need to ask for directions, the only responses I will understand is "It is here, it is not here, it's down there, it's not down there." How about if it is down 2 blocks and turn left and across the street? I guess I will just get lost. Incredibly frustrating to use if you have any aptitude or pressing need to learn French. Essentually, I can express the basic pleasantries when I walk into a store, but that is about all. THERE ARE NO TRAVEL REFERENCES - words like tickets, train, airport, etc. are completely missing. Instant Immersion DESTROYS this program.

I got the basic tapes to see if I would even care to learn French. I can now greet people, ask for things, and have a enough basic understanding to be able to have a very simple conversation. Now I want more. They make my one hour commute through Los Angeles fly by. Once you've learned a few phrases find a dictionary to look up how the words are spelled. (maintenent sounds like mahntnah spoken through your nose; aussi sounds like o,c) I think it's amazing that anyone learns to read French, but I'm learning to speak it.

there are definitely strength and weaknesses about these CDs. first of all, it does not come with any written material. If you can't see how a word is spell, how can you memorize it efficiently? The syllabus is very restricted. There are you and I, but how about he, she and they? The strength is that they repeat themselves over and over again, so by the end, you've heard it enough times that it does start to stick. They do emphasize on the correct pronunciation, which is very helpful. I'd give it a 3 star at best.

When I started listening and practicing with these CDs in my car, I was very pleased with the method. But by the time I got to the end of all the lessons I was disappointed. I expected to learn more than just how to ask someone if they want to have lunch with me, or drink something, and at what time (not even learning ALL the hours on the clock, but just four or five of them.) There's too much repetition of the same thing over and over... and over... With 5 CDs and 10 lessons total, I'm sure I could have learned a lot more. After all, if I want to go back and repeat something, I can just slip the CD into the player and go over the materials I need to review.

If you want your beginner French to sound good, this set will help you learn very acceptable pronunciation. The vocabulary isn't vast, but you won't embarrass yourself or cause the listener to wince and turn away. Let's face it, a short set of CDs isn't going to teach you more than very basic concepts. This set teaches useful sentences and points out some of the nuances of French word liaison. Worth the money and the time to run through the lessons.

I ordered the basic cd set, which automatically "enrolls" you into their gold program.
They then send more and charge over $60 for it! AND if you don't want it, then you
have to pay to send it back. It may have been in the fine print, but be very careful.
I had only expected to get the $10 special and that was all. People that send you more stuff and then plan to charge to your credit card are thieves. What a scam!
AND, the original cd's aren't very good.

I don't really agree with a lot of the other reviews on here! I guess it's important to understand what the product is and what you're getting yourself into when you buy it. Pimsleur is an all-audio language learning program based upon listening, speaking, and repeating. I guess it all depends on how you learn best and how you like to learn. I personally am an aural (hearing) learner. I also think listening is key to learning and developing a new language.

I have actually studied French off and on or years and I decided to purchase this course as a refresher. My vocabulary is decent right now, and I guess you could say I am intermediate in French, but I really wanted to improve my accent. I feel that this product really helped me do that. You will really learn to talk in an clear, educated, understandable way - just like the product advertises. This product was awesome and I'm looking forward to purchasing French Comprehensive I from Pimsleur.

There was at least one mistake so far and I am on the third segment. I like the repetitiveness but in some of the more difficult areas, they go way to fast and don't repeat phrases or words at all. I find the male speaker a bit hard to understand at times but over all, it is a good buy.

I recommend this for those who wish to learn French. There is no written materials, so it requires you to listen well and have good ear.

I'm enjoying my drives refreshing my memory of the french I learned years ago, but see no instruction as to what the next step in the process with Pimsleur? Is it a primer for the 232$ French 1? Any suggestions?