39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Americana in Brasil, March 12, 2005
There's a significant amount of really bad language programs out there, but this isn't one of them. The money invested (at auction) has been indispensible. I'm living in Brasil now and I'm so glad I bought these. Just a few thoughts:
1) In addition to the program, here are some necessary books to buy: A good dictionary, 501 Portuguese verbs, and the Dover publication of Portuguese Grammer.
2) In regards to finding a good dictionary, I look at two words that are often confused in Portuguese/English. "Decepcao" in Portuguese means disappointment, but if it's a weaker dictionary, they'll translate it "deception" as it's so close to the English word. The other word "compromisso" means "committment" in Portuguese, but a weaker dictionary will translate it as "compromise" which is the opposite meaning, again because this is what it sounds like in English. When I find a dictionary that translates these words correctly, I feel confident about the other translations. I have the Larousse dictionary and while good, it does make mistakes as mentioned previously. Probably the better dictionary is the one that comes with "Living Language" but it's small and you have to buy the program that comes with it, a program I'm not crazy about (see next).
3) On other programs: The "Living Language" program is definitely not for me. Skimps on interaction and auditory elements, although the books that come with it are good. The Language Now computer program had me so stressed out in 10 minutes just trying to figure out the program. De jeito nenhum (no way)! I do have Rosetta Stone as well. I like parts of it, although I'm not 100% sure I'd buy it again. For me the word/picture association is good, but it just isn't stimulating enough. I get bored with it so easily. It's strong point is probably the vocabulary is more extensive. So if you can find it cheap it can serve as a supplement.
4) By far the best in my opinion is Pimsleur because it forces you to recall from your mind. You're not just recognizing words but you're forming sentences and responding to questions out of what you're learning. It's impossible to get through a program with your mind being idle and unchallenged. Yeah, it may be pricey, but I can study on my own time and I'm not hearing a classroom of foreign accents and picking up other students' mistakes. I'm hearing only Portuguese from a Portuguese speaker which trains the mind.
Hope this is somewhat helpful. Definitely Pimsleur is worth it. But again, complement with the books mentioned in Part 1.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great begginers course for learning to speak Portuguese, June 11, 2005
This audio only lanuguage tutorial is highly effective. The course is broken into thitry 30 minute lessons plus two 'reading courses'. Each lesson gets progessivly more advanced moving from learning individual words, to phrases and finally complete sentences. I found the lesson length of 30 minutes ideal for learning on my commute to and from work each day.
In addition to learning and repeating stock phrases you are challenged to put together phrases and sentences from words you have already learnt but in unique combinations not previously tried. This makes you 'think' about what you are going to say rather than repeat by rote. This mirrors what you'll be doing when communicating to someone on your travels. This approach is key to eventually 'thinking' in a foreign language.
The pauses in the audio for you to respond can be rather short for the more unique and thought provoking phrases. As a beginner one still 'translates' before speaking. I'd like to see longer pauses for new material and shorter pauses for material you should know well. Pausing the CD manually is not appropriate while driving or doing some other activity.
This course is complete enough for an extended business or leisure trip. You will learn enough to get around as a business visitor or tourist in Brazil. It will not teach you enough to understand TV or radio or fast conversations. For that you will need to purchase Pimsleurs level II and III language program(s).
For the reviewer that said this course is too basic and you can go straight to level II. I totally disagree. If you are a TOTAL beginner this is the course for you. If you already have a grasp of the basics, then yes it may appropriate to jump to level II.
It's a shame that a decent phrase book is not included with the program, reading basic words is a requirement when visiting a foreign land. You will need to supplement this course with 'Portuguese in 10 Minutes a day' or something similar. Note that it's important to 7 or 8 lessons in this course before opening a phrase book. The sounds of the language are so different to what an English speaking person will expect from the written language, looking at the written word too early will encourage you to add a strong accent.
I found at the age of 46 I did not make progress at a pace I had anticipated. I certainly could not keep up with one lesson per day even though I studied twice a day. Younger students and those good at languages should have no trouble keeping up. I perservered, completed the course and I have started level II lessons. My friends in Brazil frequently comment that my Portuguese keeps on getting better. They are tickled pink that I am learning their language and all Brazilians I have met have been great in helping me with my Portuguese.
I am quite shy and tend to have a 'mental block' when speaking foreign languages (a fear of make a fool of myself I suppose). This course has given me the confidence to speak Portuguese in public with those fluent in the language, I know I can do it.
There are a few drawbacks to this course.
First and foremost it is conversational only (which is the intent I know). So you will need to get additional resources and help for written Portuguese. I suggest 'Portuguese in 10 Minutes a day'
Second, I was very disapointed on my trip to Brazil when I realized I didn't know how to ask how I wanted my steak cooked, and ended up with a medium-well done steak I didn't enjoy. This is basic stuff and should be included this series. Another reason to supplement this course with 'Portuguese in 10 Minutes a day', it has a really handy 'cheat sheet' on many things one might say at a restaurant (including the words for Rare, Medium and Well Done).
Thirdly the course needs an index. Sometimes I would realize that I had not adaqautely grasped something I learnt in a previous lesson. But which lesson? There should be a list of which words are introduced in each lesson to enable to go back and relearn something you didn't get first time. Short of listening to 3 or 4 thirty minutes lessons you have already completed you may never find what you are looking for. If you do this course at a desk I suggest you make your own index as you proceed.
Despite the flaws I noted here I can thourougly recommend this course to anyone contemplating a trip to Brazil or simply wanting to learn another language.
5 Stars Pimsleur!! It works!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brazilian Portuguese (Pimsleur), February 12, 2000
I ordered this course because I married a brazilian girl and knew that I would be vacationing in Brasil with her, etc. After receiving the tapes, I think I listened to the complete course 2 or 3 times in about a 3 month period. Since then, I have been to Brasil, and have had many opportunities to speak portuguese with my brazilian in-laws. They've all asked why I am the only gringo in the family that can speak portuguese! My "Pimsleur Brazilian Portuguese Part I" tapes are now sitting on the shelf collecting dust, because I have moved onto "Pimsleur Brazilian Portuguese Part II", which is the follow-up course to Part I. Part II builds on everything that you learn in Part I. I went to Brasil about 2 months after I finished listening to Part I. I was able to practice my portuguese in Brasil for 3 weeks. I called cabs, ordered food in restaurants, talked to the brazilians about os Estados Unidos (the United States), etc. I am very pleased with both Pimsleur products that I've purchased. I have to go now and listen to my tapes......I am going to Rio de Janeiro in 2 months!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
