French II - 2nd Ed. Rev.: 2nd Ed. Rev. Euro (Pimsleur Language Program) [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Pimsleur (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0671570722 | ISBN-13: 978-0671570729 | Publication Date: July 1, 1996

With Pimsleur Language Programs you don't just study a language, you learn it -- the same way you mastered English! And because the technique relies on interactive spoken language training, the Pimsleur Language Programs are totally audio -- no book is needed!

The Pimsleur programs provide a method of self-practice with an expert teacher and native speakers in lessons specially designed to work with the way the mind naturally acquires language information. The various components of language -- vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar -- are all learned together without rote memorization and drills. Using a unique method of memory recall developed by renowned linguist, Dr. Paul Pimsleur, the programs teach listeners to combine words and phrases to express themselves the way native speakers do. By listening and responding to thirty minute recorded lessons, students easily and effectively achieve spoken proficiency.

No other language program or school is as quick, convenient, and effective as the Pimsleur Language Programs.

The Comprehensive Program is the ultimate in spoken language learning. For those who want to become proficient in the language of their choice, the Comprehensive programs go beyond the Basic Programs to offer spoken-language fluency. Using the same simple method of interactive self-practice with native speakers, these comprehensive programs provide a complete language learning course. The Comprehensive Program is available in a wide variety of languages and runs through three levels (thirty lessons each) in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. At the end of a full Comprehensive Program listeners will be conducting complete conversations and be well on their way to mastering the language. The Comprehensive Programs are all available on cassettes and are also on CD in the six languages in which we offer the Basic Program on CD.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Pimsleur (July 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671570722
• ISBN-13: 978-0671570729
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,125,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Books on Cassette > Languages > French

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pimsleur method is still the best, but..., March 28, 2000

By 

Ron (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French II (Audio CD)

When you finished this set, you can expect the following:

(1) You will continue to learn a lot of basic sentence structures along with important French expressions from the audio lessons and the supplementary text booklet.

(2) Your command of the language will improve subtly. I've found that when I had finished the 30 lessons (it took me about 2-1/2 months and on average 2 or 3 days on 1 lesson), I didn't think I know a lot more than when I started UNTIL I went back to go through each lesson again. I was amazed at the amount of materials I have actually picked up. It was then that I realized how NATURAL those expressions have become to me. I could recall about 90% of the lessons. The second time around (one day on each lesson) allows me to work on those 10%.

(3) Do NOT expect to carry out a long conversation with a French person or be able to watch French TV programs and understand what everything they are saying. I feel that I am now very competent in handling simple questions - albeit within the range of questions and answers practiced in the course. The problem is that I don't have enough VOCABULARIES to go into a `deep' conversation. VOCABULARIES are what this program doesn't give you. Indeed, this program excels in giving you all the BASIC FRAMEWORKS to build upon, but it's up to you later to expand your vocabularies and learn how verbs conjugate. (To learn more vocabularies, you may want to check out the `Vocabulearn' series - it is not the greatest or easiest learning program but it does give you a lot of vocabularies.)

I had very high expectations when I bought this set. Perhaps because of that I was slightly disappointed when I discovered that I still couldn't understand 30% of French television programs. But having gone back and reviewed the 30 lessons again, I realize I've actually learn quite a bit and the seemingly simple Pimsleur program has succeeded in making the language become very natural to me. Enjoy the program. It really works. Just remember that the strength of the Pimsleur program is its emphasis on SPEAKING skills and PRONOUNCIATION at the basic to intermediate level. You will be amazed at how much you've learned when you go back to do the whole set again after you've completed the 30 lessons. I am looking forward to the third set.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this series as a way to become conversant, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: French II - 2nd Ed. Rev.: 2nd Ed. Rev. Euro (Pimsleur Language Program) (Audio Cassette)

While this is an expensive set, it is well worth it. I have spent money on other french tapes and have found that no other series comes close in production quality and content. This series provides a perfect method to learn while driving. Not only are the tapes strictly conversational (no reference books) it provides a fairly comprehensive tutorial. I found that I had amazingly good recall of all the words, including verb conjugation, and sentence structure long after I had completed the tapes. I hope version III, which I have just ordered, will delve into the mystical subjunctive mood.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but don't expect miracles, June 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: French II (Audio CD)

I have been using the series starting from French I about 4 months ago, and I'm at the beginning of French III. I originally bought the course because I was about to move to Geneva, Switzerland, and was in a hurry to learn French, having absolutely no knowledge of French previously. This series is a very good purchase, albeit expensive. At this point I can go to a resaurant and speak to the waiters comfortably, introduce myself, make plans with friends, among other things. I still can't converse comfortably in everyday situations, or understand what's going on on TV, but I find that I can pick up phrases or words here and there. I've taken 3 years of Spanish in high school, and 3 years of German in college, and I'm at about the same level in French already (having forgotten a lot of German and Spanish)

Now, this course does not contain any explanations of grammar, culture, or much in the way of reading. However, if you have ever learned a romance language before, or know English grammar, you would be able to figure out the verb tenses and the correct way to use them (or even conjugate them) pretty easily. In terms of reading, I find it useful to have a dictionary with you while you are doing the lessons. When the course introduces a new word, look it up in the dictionary and see what the word looks like. It also helps with memorizing the word. Regarding one of the previous reviews, about the use of the familiar form, I disagree. I use the familiar form all the time. In fact, before I learned it, my Swiss friend (I met here) was telling me that I was being too formal with him. Plus, toward the end of French II, the lessons begin to focus on the polite form again.

The course is excellent, but one should still proceed slowly. I do each lession at least 2 to 3 times before moving on, twice in the evenings, and once in the shower in the mornings as review. I don't stop the lesson during the pauses to think of the answer because I figure if I truly know it, I would be able to answer within the pause. By the third listen, I can usually answer within the pause.

Don't expect miracles and be realistic. You still need to take time to listen and absorb the materials. However, the course is designed in a way that encourages you to use it. After I listen to the lesson, I usually want to go out and use it immediately, and I characterize myself normally as a shy person. Definitely buy it if you are going to invest the time and need to start using French immediately.