Customer Reviews

PORTUGUESE in 10 minutes a day® with CD-ROM

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, so I've only had this book and CD-ROM for a few weeks. I guess I figured there would be lessons of a certain length (each taking about 10 minutes), so that I could check them off (a bit obsessive-compulsive, here), but no, they just encourage you to keep at it and do whatever you can do in the book in 10 minutes. I've only spent 3 sessions doing this, but it's definitely interesting enough that I've spent an hour or more each time. It is very well written, easy to follow.

The CD-ROM is addictive, as I found myself listening to the words and repeating after them almost every day. They have several things to do to learn colors, numbers, rooms in a house, places of business, objects you would use in an office or bathroom, etc, as well as phrases you would use often. I've had trouble putting aside Spanish pronunciation and wrapping my tongue around the oo's, so having someone repeat whichever word I want to say OVER AND OVER is great. There also are pages with 150 stickers to post around the house with names of household items (you might put the word for "cat" on a stuffed cat, tho), flash cards, and pages with menu items that I certainly will practice and cut out and take with me on my visit to Brazil.

I have also been listening to Pimsleur's Brazilian Portuguese CDs, which are quite good. I do like being able to see the written words (which Pimsleur's doesn't provide) while learning a language, so that feature makes this book worthwhile. What I'd like to see are more CD-ROM interactives for learning language, as I'm sure if they were like those provided on the included CD-ROM (need more words and phrases, please), I would spend hours working on learning the language.

I have other books and programs (Rosetta Stone) for learning Portuguese. This is a great addition that is easy to have along when my computer is not convenient to use. I try to spend lots of spare minutes just working on a new page. Only complaint at all is that it says it is for Brazilian Portuguese, but all given pronunciations are not necessarily the right pronunciations listed for Brazil Portuguese....more traditional. But if you know the way they say things differently in Brazil, then it is a great way to add vocabulary.

PORTUGUESE in 10 minutes a day® with CD-ROM (10 Minutes a Day)

This book and CD Rom give a very basic introduction to Portugese and gives exceptions where needed when Brazilian Portugese varies from the European.

Being a very visual person I really appreciated the colorful drawings and the interactive CD that gave you real life examples to associate the Portugese words with. It's far easier for me to remember how to say the words for blouse or cat or pharmacy or tea when I picture these things first. This is a far more natural way of learning a language than conjugating verbs and learning tenses. I tend to remember a word when I can associate it with an image, sound or smell.

For those wanting to delve more deeply into the language I would recommend Berlitz for 1. a review of the basics and 2. total immersion - nothing helps the speed of learning like being forced to know the words to ask to go the bathroom!!

Remember that Berlitz has several iterations: face-to-face, online and a brief CD (for this language). Keep an eye on [....] for special promotions and pricing to continue your studies.

When I decided to learn Portuguese, I bought several books and CDs to learn from. Out of everything that I got, this was the most fun. I love that it is a workbook -- the author encourages you to write everywhere, cut out flash cards, peel off stickers, play puzzles, and more. The accompanying software exercises (more like games) are quick and easy to go through. Because the workbook is "cartoony" looking, it's nonthreatening for the absolute beginner.

I did not progress through this book from start to finish -- I just jumped around to whatever topic that looked interesting to me that day. (And I don't think that impeded my learning one bit.)

The only thing I didn't like about it is that the pronunciations are not European Portuguese and that is what I'm trying to learn. However, the book is so basic that you can find those words that are pronounced differently and make a notation in the book.

It doesn't matter if you are a visual, auditory, or kinetic learner, there is something here for you. For under $20, this workbook with its accompanying software CD is well worth the money. My doggeared workbook is a testament to that.

I bought this book for an impending trip to Brazil. I've since returned from the trip.
Things I didn't like about this book:
- It's pretty dated. From the pictures, to the method. There are better books out there.
- The CD does not follow the book - at all. It's like they were two different products, and someone just slapped the CD in between the last two pages.
- There needs to be a quick-start. Things like "hi", "thank-you", "please".... the words you use immediately.
- The CD NEEDS TO FOLLOW THE BOOK - so that you can listen to the words you are leaning. Any book that doesn't do this is useless in my <now experienced> opinion.

A great little course for the beginner: fun, encouraging and well-thought-out. Especially good for someone to take to work and do while on breaks. The best little course I have found. I use it in combination with Rosetta Stone. Highly recommended.

Definitely a good book to introduce you to the language. Easy to pick up and do in short bursts. Colorful and engaging with plenty of fun exercises. Stickers are neat, but better if used with magnets or other medium so you don't worry about leaving residue when you peel them off. Also, the book is good for kids through adults.

Portuguese in 10 minutes a day is a fun and easy to use tool for learning a new language. I like the repetition in writing words and the CD-ROM is vey helpful in pronoucing the Portugese language.
Well worth every cent!

I've used lots of materials and several books and this one is still my favorite. All the flash cards and stickers were very helpful in the beginning as well to learn common objects around the house.

One of the best language workbooks I have seen. Bright and easy to follow.