Pimsleur Quick & Simple Japanese [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD)

by Pimsleur (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Q&S Japanese includes the first 8 lessons from the Pimsleur Comprehensive Level I. 4 hours, audio-only, effective language learning with real-life spoken practice sessions.

About the Author
Dr. Pimsleur devoted his life to language teaching and was one of the world's leading experts in applied linguistics. After obtaining his Ph.D. in French from Columbia University, he taught French Phonetics and Phonemics, and supervised the language laboratory at UCLA. He went on to become Professor of Romance Languages and Language Education, and Director of The Listening Center at Ohio State University; Professor of Education and Romance Languages at the State University of New York at Albany; and a Fulbright lecturer at the University of Heidelberg. Dr. Pimsleur was a member of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), American Educational Research Association (AERA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and a founding member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). His many books and articles revolutionized theories of language learning and teaching. After years of experience and research, Dr. Pimsleur developed a new method that is based on two key principles: the Principle of Anticipation and a scientific principle of memory that he called Graduated Interval Recall. This program incorporates both of these principles to provide you with the most simple and effective learning method possible.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Pimsleur; 3 edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743523512
• ISBN-13: 978-0743523516
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overall Not very helpful..., March 3, 2004

By	ralicon "Tony" (Valencia, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Express Japanese: Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Pimsleur Express) (Audio CD)

The first chapter is a GREAT, reassuring 30 minute "Do you understand English?", "Do you understand English" lesson. I could really speak these helpful phrases after 2 morning commutes. The rest of the chapters are about 3 minutes in length and just go way to fast to understand anything. They are also random situations such as "I have a stomach ache".
From other reviews I read, the $35 or $45 (amazon priced) Pimsleur versions have more of the terrific 30 minute lessons.
Although all is not lost, the box does include a helpful phrase card and small booklet of the random conversations on the CD.

In my opinion, this just gives you 1, 30 minute audio chapter in hopes you'll buy the larger one. Just save the $10-12 on this and buy the other.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Read this please!, July 31, 2003

By	Whipper (Sweden) - See all my reviews

The main reason for buying the Q&S version is that a) you're not sure you like the Pimsleur method or b) you can't afford the full version. BUT you can try lesson 1 online for free so there's no need to buy it just to try it. And as for not being able to afford it. If you're really committed to learn Japanese you will -find- a way to buy at least the Instant Conversation set.

I'm not giving this version just 1 star because I don't like it, the first 8 lessons of Pimsleur are great... only thing is that they are the FIRST 8 lessons. Not the only ones. You will get so much more if you buy more lessons so you should save your money and buy Instant Conversation or Level 1.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great down and dirty to get by, December 22, 2005

By	B. Heeney "For Sure" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Express Japanese: Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Pimsleur Express) (Audio CD)

If you need a quick primer on Japanese for a short jaunt to Japan to get some work done, this CD will adquately teach you enough about pronunciation to get you by - along with an English to Japanese travel book. With about 20 words under your belt and the resouce to find an pronounce the word you need (when you need it)- you will survive. When I got sick in Japan it was worth a million to be able to say "I have a cough" and then pay 2,500 yen for 8 sudafed!

Don't rely on one resource alone - you will be disappointed.