Customer Reviews

Norwegian in 10 Minutes a Day

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't say enough good things about this book. There's so much useful information, including common words and how to pronounce them. Best of all, it's presented in an entertaining, fun way that makes you want to use it. In addition to reading, you have to write the words and phrases, which as anyone knows from school is the key to remembering what you've learned. I particularly like the stickers for rooms and items around your house. Every time you look at the item or room you see the sticker and this helps to reinforce the Norwegian words. Before long you're counting to yourself or looking at things and mentally saying the Norwegian word. Finally, there are cut-out flash cards and a laminated pocket guide to take with you so that you can work at learning Norwegian wherever you are. I wish there were intermediate and advanced versions of the book. This truly does make learning fun. I highly recommend it.

I teach English to immigrants and international students in the U.S., so I'm very familiar with techniques for teaching and learning languages. If you are not planning on actually taking a class, I would say that this book is excellent. It provides tips on pronunciation based on American English. (Most other books don't have the pronunciation tips, but you have to spend extra money on a cassette or CD.) The person who complained about the book missed one important factor. This book provides language than gradually integrates it into the "directions." Most book give directions in English only, this one substitutes those words that you've learned already in Norwegian! It also does what is called "Scaffolding" - they introduce an idea or word in one place, then re-introduce it later. This book is also very colorful and offers flash cards, sticky-labels and more! Personally, I recommend the English as a Second Language version of this book to my beginning level students- because if you really are interested in learning the language, this is a very inexpensive and effective tool. The down side to this book is that some of the sticky-labels don't make any sense. For instance, where are you supposed to stick "Good morning???" Others, like "Kitchen" or "glass" are better. I would recommend doing this book first and then moving on to "Teach Yourself Norwegian" - or use both at the same time, because they reinforce each other.

I see another review on this book and I believe that author missed the point of this book. The objective of this book is not to have you write a sentence in English then translate to Norwegian, nor be a comprehensive source for learning Norwegain, but expand your vocabulary used in learning the language.

The book has several mutually supportive exercises in expanding vocabulary and proper word usage. There are sentences with fill-in-the-blank missing words. There are little stickers to help you memorize the names of common household items. There are also exercises that help with gender, numbers, and common expressions.

This book is definately not going to teach you Norwegian except when used with other resources, but this is a great addition to the other tools that one uses to learn Norwegian.

Having been raised in Norway, I can say that a non-native speaker or someone without previous exposure to the language will probably have difficulty with pronunciation. The book tries to sound it out for English speakers, but that only serves to make you sound like a foreigner :) Nonetheless, it's a good, fun way to learn the grammar, vocabulary, and begin to put together some of the sounds. The variety of "games" and exercises help keep your attention while you learn.

A good intermediate step as a refresher, most definitely.

This book may not be the ultimate resource for learning Norwegian (it has no audio recordings to help master pronunciation), but it is an inexpensive and very helpful way to get started with the basics of vocabulary and grammar. It is like a child's workbook, with illustrations, games, exercises and lots of helpful guidance to make everything perfectly clear. I would say it is an essential starting point for anyone who has never studied a foreign language, and a great help to experienced linguists who are taking on Norwegian self-study. Match it with Einar Haugen's Norwegian English Dictionary, Pimsler's audio program to master pronunciation, and Norwegian: An Essential Grammar, and you'll be building a firm foundation for later intermediate study.

"Norwegian in 10 Minutes a day" is designed for the person who is self-motivated enough to devote at least ten minutes a day to the lessons and who is familar enough with the study of foreign languages to pick one up without outside coaching. The study guide is highly portable and can be used anytime the student has the opportunity.

The guide covers the basics of the Norwegian language in a self-paced manner. Dedicated study should enable the traveler to Norway to acculmulate a basic vocabulary sufficient to read signs, menus, and other public displays, handle money, and to ask and answer simple questions. The lack of an audio feature with this guide would make it pretty challenging to master conversational Norwegian without resort to other training materials, classroom instruction, or practice with someone already familar with spoken Norwegian.

This guide is highly recommended to the beginner in Norwegian looking for a basic introduction to the language, and to the student with some pre-existing familarity with Norwegian who is looking for a refresher course.

Love this book.............I would like to know this language because it is the language of my heritage...........this book makes it much easier than I thought...THANKS!!

I bought this book for my boyfriend who had recently been to Norway and fell in love with the language and wanted to learn. He has told me only wonderful things about it and uses it every day. He says it is easy to follow and provides for great practice. He has even been able to hold a conversation with his Norweigan friend quite well since using it. I would highly recommend this book.

I was looking for Norwegian books that would help me improve my knowledge of the language as I've been studying it for over a year, so I went through all the available ones over there.

With this book (taking me back to my beginner days of learning the language), I found it interesting how the writer wrote in English at the start of the book, but as you gradually progress through the pages, the words that you've already been taught were written in Norwegian (so, it was like a mix of English-Norwegian).
You're also provided with stickers so you can label certain objects and a little pocket book found at the back so you can take it around with you and quizzes where you're required to fill in the blanks. I found that enjoyable.

The disadvantage is, the book is without audio. It's no problem for me, as I already know the pronunciation of words well, but for the people who have had no previous knowledge of the language may find it difficult. There is a pronunciation next to the Norwegian word, but how do you know if you're pronouncing the word right or wrong?

Overall, I found the book quite enjoyable and keeps you pretty occupied with the fun stickers and games.

This book is childlike,in its approach to learning the Norwegian tongue. Which for me, doesnt intimidate or try to give the learner too much to handle. The program has many visuals, which again for me, is how I remember and learn. Its fun, and if you stick too it, I believe one can at least get a taste of the language of the Norse.