Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased two different CDs at the same time. I started with the 2nd of my two purchases, leaving "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs" aside, as it looked to be more daunting in appearance. I put in the other CD and after 5 minutes, ejected it, and replaced it with "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs."

Wow, what a difference between the two products!! Within five minutes, I was able to capture a couple of very useful phrases. The program breaks down each phrase into small bits that you repeat out loud. After a couple of repetitions of each bit of language, each one building into a complete phrase, you are asked to repeat the entire phrase. Phrases build upon themselves until you have mastered a situation like; "Excuse me, do you speak English?" I'm genuinely impressed with the quality of instruction provided on the CDs and I am looking forward to future lessons! The set comes in a nice CD case and is broken down into several separate lessons, two lessons to a CD. I'd recommend "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs." to anyone who wants to learn with using a CD, without books and such.! I plan to continue to study each day during my commute to work.

I already have a basic understanding but wanted to have a tape to listen to any changes. Granted there is a lot of repetition, but the lessons are short spurts and the second lesson repeats the first. I've only listened to half the CD set because of my busy time. However, the pronunciation is articulate and breaks it down to syllables, but if you forget where you leave off, you may misunderstand how to actually pronounce the whole word. I like how the narrator explains the sentence structure. It would be nice to hear more about cultural formality differences as I know there are levels of speech depending on status, age, and profession. Overall, the money's worth it to have it. Reasonable price and convenient to listen to.

The repetition provided in the CD, pace and style of teaching is truly helpful for a beginner who's learning the language for the very first time. Unlike some other programs which teaches at a very fast pace, making one feels lost and confused, this one allows you time to memorize and digest what you've learn. Overall, I am truly impressed and will recommend it to everyone!

I downloaded lessons 1 through 5 (via Itunes) and while I wish it were more reasonably priced, I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase.

My motivation for learning this language is so that I can communicate with the Korean side of my family (People are always surprised when they learn that I can't already, since I am first generation Korean.) So far, I am convinced that this audio is helping me reach my goal.

The directions state that you should continue with the same lesson until you feel comfortable with about 80% of the course content. I reached an 80% comfort level after having participated in Lesson 1 about eight+ times over the course of several days. I know that sounds like a lot, but it really did not feel that way. I practiced while driving to and from the office, while doing light house work, and once while watching my step-sons soccer practice. I'm certain that if I were to dedicate time to focus on a lesson without distractions, it would not take me nearly as long.

One problem that I have is that I can't fast forward through a lesson plan on my Ipod (you can only fast forward or rewind back to the very beginning of available lessons). There were a few instances where I was unable to complete the full lesson and later had to go through it all over again, just to reach the end. Sure.. it was great 'additional' reinforcement - but a little frustrating at times.

Overall, my experience with this language tool has been a positive one. So much so that I went out and purchased my father his own Ipod so he too could learn Korean with this program (I just surprised him with it last night, so I'm anxiously awaiting his opinion of it.) My mother is very impressed with my pronunciation of the words and phrases I've learned, which I think is a very good sign indeed! As soon as I complete all 5 lessons, I will purchase more lessons for use. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an easy introduction to the Korean language.

Forgive the poor attempt at transliteration, but what I've just asked is, "Do you speak Korean?" The Korean language doesn't really lend itself well to English transliteration because of the several problems - most notably complex Hangul vowel sounds that do not exist in English - however, any Korean speaker should understand my introduction (I didn't bother to look up the literal English phonetic transliteration letter alternatives).

The Pimsleur Basic Korean course is exactly what I hoped it would be. Each CD contains two complex lessons, and subsequent lessons build off of what has been previously learned. Much like a good teacher will do, there is an explanation attached to each section; it's not just memorization. Whether it's breaking down a verb, a polite ending, or the words within sentences that initially sounds like mumbo-jumbo, the lessons are thorough and interesting. And just when you think you've got a lesson wrapped up, the narrator will ask you a question from lessons past - keeps you on your toes.

Mixed a male and a female voice, the intonation is clear and precise. Lessons are repeated piece-by-piece, from end to beginning, eventually culminating in a staged conversation between two people. At first I didn't think this method was most effective, but eventually I realized the benefit. In no time at all I had a few useful phrases nearly perfected. The articulate repetition really serves as a great teacher.

The one major downfall to this CD set is the lack of character reinforcement. Since most people don't know how to sound out the Korean alphabet (I do), it wouldn't be beneficial anyway; but, the sounds are sometimes easily confused if the listener is not already aware of the subtle differences between English and Korean sounds. For example, the English vowel "O" can easily be confused for the Korean O and EO, the latter spoken with less rounded closure of the lips. Not to mention the Korean R/L hybrid letter, the G/K hybrid sound, and the nearly indistinguishable AE/EA dipthongs.

Overall, only so much can be done in a few CDs, and this book does a very good job of putting the building blocks (or, with, from, hello, goodbye, a little, now, later, etc.) in place during that limited time. With that said, the answer to my initial query is: Neh. Han-kook oh ruhr chogum ha suh ee sim nee da. (Yes. I can speak a little Korean.)

I ordered this as a trial and will probably keep it, but the rest of the Korean courses with Pimsleur are waaaay too expensive for me to purchase.

So far I've gone through the first two lessons, and am surprised with how much I'm retaining - part of that, I'm sure, is that I now call my Korean mother after every lesson and repeat everything I've learned, looking for Asian-mother approval. So far, she's understood everything I've said immediately, but she always follows it by saying, "you should say it like this". Like others have mentioned, there are different levels of formality in Korean... my general impression is that this is a more polite version, but at some point I'll double check that with Mama Kim.

I'm also definitely having trouble with some of the pronunciation - there are several sounds in the Korean language that don't exist in English, so it's tough to articulate them, even when I know the characters and can read the written language (read it, not understand it).

All in all, I'm a very detail-oriented learner (I want to know all the conjugations, past, present and future tense for verbs, darnit!), so it concerns me that I won't have the strongest foundation upon which to build conversation skills, but if this program can get me even a half step closer to even understanding (let alone conversing) with Korean relatives, I'll take the help.

I've used Pimsleur products for Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish in the past, so when I decided to try to learn Korean, I naturally thought of Pimsleur. The Pimsleur method prides itself on not requiring (and usually not providing) any written material to go along with the lessons. For me, learning Korean this way doesn't work very well. I really need to see the hangul and or the romanization to get a good grasp of the pronunciation. Also, the Korean language seems to make a lot of social or class distinctions in the way it is spoken, more so than any other language I've studied. I assume this is why the phrases in the Pimsleur presentation, at least for the first few lessons are, for the same phrases, different from my other resources. So because of my auditory issues and my limited brain cell capacity, I've not continued on with Pimsleur Korean.

Own two other Pimsleur languages, and it's likely a statement more about the Korean language than Pimsleur, but this is no where as good as either Japanese or Spanish. Pronunciation is very difficult to understand, and lessons follow "stock" Pimsleur without additional explanation. For example, no explanation of how to pronounce the hybrid "R-L" sound; in Japanese lessons this was much easier to comprehend. Have listened to lesson 1 on three separate occasions and still cannot remember the first phrase, "Do you speak English?" For this specific language, Pimsleur Basic system fails to explain necessary details.

For those of you looking for a straight forward approach to learning a language this is truly the best way. Despite never having formal training or speaking to Korean people on a daily basis, I am still able to instantly remember about 40% of what was learned on these tapes when I am speaking to a real Korean person, and they understand me perfectly.

*The program teaches phrases that are actually useable!
Most language learning programs teach you lots of vocabulary that has nothing to do with conversation that you will ever conceivably use. Pimsleur teaches only what you will logically use so you can fill in other less important vocab later.

*Lots of drills for each phrase
Many programs require you to rewind the tape over and over to try and pick apart what was actually said. Korean is one of those languages where pronunciation and rhythm REALLY count. It's not like English. One little flaw in your dialect will make what you say to a real Korean, gibberish. The Pimsleur method breaks it down 5 or six times including breakdowns of each individual syllable. Not only that it continues to breakdown difficult or commonly used words in future lessons as well.

*Cumulative Teaching
Instead of jumping from one phrase to the next, phrases taught with this audiobook always use at least one or two vocabulary words from the last lesson so you don't feel totally lost as you go through the tape. This is good for both self confidence and repetition.

However there are some things about this program that are lacking:

*No Phrase Book
It would have been very helpful to see the breakdowns on paper while I was doing this course, both for my understanding of sentence structure and for the spelling of words that I was learning. I bought a picture dictionary to go along with this that I could read when i wasn't listening. It helped immensely in my understanding of word structure and spelling.

*No Online Material
Many language books have bonus online material like actual native language videos from t.v. shows to simulate immersion. This book did not.

Aside from my small gripes about interactivity, you really can't go wrong with this program. Especially if you are an auto commuter. Just listen and repeat. That's all it takes!

I understand it takes 21 days of repetition to get words into your long term memory. I believe this progam will help do that job!

I liked the program so much, I wish I had initially bought the higher level "Conversational Korean" program instead!! Now, in addition to this program, I've purchased the Comprehensive Level 1 program.

Pimsleur Korean Basic Program
Pro's

Simplifys grammar and vocabulary which are taught together!
Repeats some of previous lesson in the next so you don't forget!
Uses practical everyday words that one might use in conversation!
Can learn while driving etc. as no need for text!
Sticks with same level of politeness (there are four levels in Korean)!

Con's

Can't understand a Korean friend speaking--this level too basic
6,7,10,11 and 12 o'clock not taught--must purchase higher level course.
No text to verify pronuciation as some words hard to hear correctly.

The last above is my one pet peeve! As the words are hard to look up in a Korean Dictonary--especially the verbs. For example: In Korean "Mo-Tao" Pimsleur says is "I don't speak". But according to a Korean friend it means "Not do" (the "I" is implied--and "speak" is too for that matter!). And comes from the root verb "Ha-da". I'd never have tried to look up Hada to learn how to pronounce "Mo-Tao"!!!!

If you buy other courses and have more than one (I have bought 4 for reference), the level of politeness may not be the same!! As Korean has 4 levels--Formal: used in public speaking or speaking to someone new for the first time. Polite: which is used for speaking to adults and is probably the best to learn, as Pimsleur uses it. Intimate and then plain. And plain is used only when speaking to children or say friends? I think and will be an insult if used with people of higher importance.

Lastly, If you purchase the higher level programs Comprehensive 1 or 2 on CD from [...] (I got for almost 50% off compared to Pimsleur's web site) you can also sell the programs back to them and save a bunch of money!

Good Luck!