Customer Reviews

Haitian Creole, Compact: Learn to Speak and Understand Haitian Creole with Pimsleur Language Programs

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

 

 

This series would probably not be helpful to most people traveling to Haiti. The CD's do not cover enough vocabulary. Haiti is not exactly a place for tourists, which this series in various languages is intended for. Most people from the United States are going to this third world nation for humanitarian aid and could use something more along the lines of help phrases. However, the tapes have a lot of repitition and do provide a way to learn some simple phrases. I was very surprised how short each CD was. There is no written material to accompany the CD's for visual learners.

i'm only up to lesson 6, but i've learned so much. i've been receiving compliments from many fluent kreyol speakers. i try to tell them "m' compren kreyol tu petit," and they respond, "ou pale bien!," and I respond, "meci". I know how to start a convo, ask for directions, make requests, and i'm only half way done. definite recommendation!

The CD set is outstanding! After lesson one, I was able to have just a generic conversation and speak with an in-law that does speak any English at all.

I am now up to lesson 5 and can have a basic conversation when my in-laws are over for dinner. I recommend this product to anyone trying to learn Haitian Creole. Even though the lessons are short and you do not receive a lot of detail in other areas after you learn to ask for directions directions, say hello and goodbye, etc, this will teach you the basics and there are other products that can help further your knowledge of the lanquage.

I would recommend this very highly and wish anyone that is trying to learn this language, the best of luck.

With the help of these 10 lessons and a (very) basic background in French, I found I was able to converse and understand a great deal of Creole in Haiti. And I was not there as a tourist, but for business, where I was speaking to people from different regions of the country and across the economic spectrum. I've never had a gift for languages (I did terribly in school with French class) but these CD's literally turned me into a Creole speaker. I was in Haiti for 8 days and at the end of it, I could have (basic) conversations on a variety of topics. Its amazing what you pick up once you are immersed; but to have the basic structure and some basic vocabulary under your belt before that immersion, is key. Personally, I would have loved more CD's, more lessons, a little more instruction (some of the basics like verbs like 'to have' were left out) and if Pimsleur released more lessons I would eagerly buy them. But bottom line, I was impressed with the instruction strategy and I really learned quickly; if they could get ME to learn a new language, anyone could learn.

This was indeed an easy way to learn the language. Simply by listening, you will have the foundation of speaking with/to a native Haitian. I was constantly commended on my pronounciation and context. I was also laughed at when I said certain words. I learned that depending on where you came from in Haiti the wording is very, very different.

The speakers on the CD's were clear! ! !

I would suggest this to all who are interested in learning the Haitian Creole language....

I have really enjoyed the language program. Have had to go over each lesson several times, but find that I can understand the conversations now, whereas in the beginning it was a jumble. I would benefit from being able to see the words, as a couple of them are hard to decipher.
Would recommend the program to anyone wanting to converse in Creole "toupiti".

While the CD's were a helpful way to learn some basic words and pronunciation, the practice dialogues seemed a bit unrealistic from my perspective. (I have never visitited a restaurant in Haiti). I was also puzzled by the "reading" exercises. One is asked to repeat a list of Creole words but the meaning of the words is never given. How hard would it have been to list the English meanings?

I speak fairly good French and was looking for something to help me learn Kreyol. This program is useless for that - there is no grammatical information and a lot of time is spent teaching you that "ri" is street, etc. If you don't know any French or Kreyol and only want to learn a little "tourist Kreyol", it might be okay for that. If you are learning Kreyol to work there or to adopt a Haitian child, look elsewhere.

I'm only on the first of the 5 CD set but am already very pleased with how much I am learning. Great program to use while driving in the car. I have used quite a number of language CDs over the years while learning Spanish and think this is a good one.

I am currently using this item as part of a training series preparing several members of my church for a trip to Haiti. As a tool to introduce people to the language of Creole, it does an excellent job. By the time you are through the 10 lessons, you are able to engage in BASIC communication. It is also valuable in hearing both the intonation and speed of Haitian Creole. It is by far NOT an exhaustive course, being only 10 lessons, but as a starter is does a fine job.