Customer Reviews

German, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand German with Pimsleur Language Programs

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

 

 

this is really tough to rate

-teaching you proper pronunciation: 5 stars!!!! actually SIX!!
-teaching you HOW to make sentences: 5 stars!
-amount of material they teach you: 1 star
-good use of your time: 1 star

things i LIKED:
1. they REALLY break down words (i.e., in teaching you how to say "excuse me" -- Entschuldigen Sie -- they break it down by teaching you how to pronouce "Sie," "Digen", "Schul," "Schuldigen," "Ent," "Entshuldigen," "Entshuldigen Sie" -- EXCELLENT
2. they really work a lot with one sentence and teaching you HOW to change the sentence (i.e., i would like something to eat, i would like something to eat now, would you like something to eat, would you like something to eat now, where would you like to eat, etc.)

things i DISLIKED:
1. number 2 above (i basically ONLY learned like 5-10 (i'm exaggerating a little....but only a little) phrases in the whole FIVE HOURS of learning!!)
2. each CD recaps earlier CDs which is nice 'cuz it forces you to review, but....that's why you play things on repeat. ?! each 30-minute track did have new materal in it, but there was just too much earlier material
3. THERE'S NO BOOK!!!!

THINGS I DIDN'T LEARN but should've (especially after 5 hours of CD time)
-you're welcome
-what's your name?/my name is....
-"we," "she," "he" anything
-i am going to....

THINGS I DIDN'T LEARN but wanted to
-how old are you?
-where are you from?
-i like....
-....is good

anyway....with these CDs you THOROUGHLY learn like 5 different phrases (again, i'm exaggerating a little) and don't even bother with anything else (no matter how basic)

some words of advice:
if you already know how to say variations of the sentence "i would like to eat something now" then this is not the item for you; however, if you don't know how to say even that and would like to learn more....why not get the "conversational" instead of "basic" or even the "comprehensive" CDs. CDs 1-10 in "basic" are the same as CDs 1-10 in "conversational" but conversational also has 11-16 (fyi-i don't have "conversational" so this is just what i read)

I'm an auditive/visual person. Since I'm a linguist and love music, this system is perfect for me. I learn a lot when I hear people saying the words and I can repeat them, specially when pronunciation is key. I'm a perfectionist, and I know that repetition is the way to go. This software provides that and I'm so glad I got it! What a great way to learn a language!

I am very pleased with the Pimsleur Language Learning system. I am actually learning to speak and understand German. The program is very easy to listen to and learn from. I have just completed lesson 5 and I'm ready to start the next. I don't know how they compare to the other far more expensive learning system, but I would definitely give this one shot before investing a large sum of money for the other.

I am extremely dissatisfied with the product as 3 of the 15 CD's are missing! I contacted the merchant over 1 month ago but, to date, have not received a response. Please advise.
Sincerely,
Lorraine M. Harwelik