Customer Reviews

Greek (Modern): 2nd Ed. (Pimsleur Quick and Simple)

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

 

 

I bought these to prepare for a trip to Greece. Beginning a few weeks before my trip, I listened to them twice a day - on the way to work and the way back. I found these to be very, very useful. The lessons are set up so that you repeat things enough that you feel confident with the few phrases they provide and can even form some basic sentences on your own. Once I got to Greece, I realized most everyone there speaks English, but it was nice that I could at least understand bits of what was being said around me and could respond with the appropriate words for "thank you" "please" and "I don't understand Greek very well." I highly recommend these CDs to someone just beginning their studies in a foreign language or taking a trip.

Being a none Greek in a new family who only the family members that are my age speak english. It was easier for me to learn to speak Greek than continue going through the constent battle to understand what was happening or always had to have my husband to be right there to translate. I even whent to Greek school for non Greeks and that was a flop, SO I TOOK MATTERS INTO MY OWN HANDS. Now things are different. It was easy and I was speaking Greek in the first 2 days I had recieved the package. IT IS SIMPLE AND INSTED OF ASKING YOUR MATE TO REPEAT ALL THE TIME YOU HAVE THE C.D AND YOU CATCH ON VERY FAST. IT IS A NO BRAINER. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO LEARN START WITH THIS.

It is worth the money.

NON GREEK

This product didn't meet my expectations at all. I've heard such wonderful things about the Pimsleur series, so I did have high expectations. My complaints are thus: this is audio only. For some this might be just what they want, to be able to speak only, but it drove me crazy not knowing how to spell the words I was hearing (if I didn't already know how to) Which brings me to my second complaint: there are 8 lessons on the 4 CDs and the amount of vocabulary that one learns is not very much at all. I already know some Greek and I was hoping this would really boost my ability, but I don't think it did much for me at all. Also, it never mentions anything about grammar, how to form plurals, conjugate verbs, etc. Perhaps the more complete course is better, but I have not tried it myself.

Positive things about it are: you learn some basic phrases & responses, voices are native speakers (I believe), and the "listen & repeat" or feedback is excellent! (Actually, my son is in speech therapy and they also use this method.) You listen to the word or phrase and then repeat it. It might seem silly because there is no one there to hear you, but the idea is that you hear *yourself* and can adjust your own pronounciation, but also "complete the circuit" in the language center of your brain, whereby you hear it, imitate it, and hear it again (your own voice) thereby cementing not only the vocab but also the individual sounds of the language.

In the end, I rated this a 3 because it is a very good beginning for those who only which to speak the language, but if you want to have a more comprehensive understanding of the language, this will disappoint you.

Fast service - product as advertised

1. The 8 lessons are a progression of a few exchanges between a man and a woman. These exchanges are basic greetings.

2. The few exchanges are maybe a total of 10 sentences

3. A travel guide reference book would be helpful enough if you are just going to travel. English is the Lingua Franca of the world.

4. Although this method used is essential you need to be able to read and write the language. Someone who is serious about learning the language will find this worth only about what you paid for it.

5. No grammar is taught.

6. The lessons assume you are going to be alone if traveling.

7. Do your research when buying language instruction. There is no short cut.

Pronunciations not always clear, especially the female on the disc. Not as helpful as I had hoped.