Spanish in Three Months (Hugo) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: perfect subjunctive, Los Angeles

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Hugo series of popular self-study language courses prepares the visitor for vacation or business travel in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Spanish-speaking Central and South America. The books guide the language student through essential grammar, pronunciation, model sentences and word lists to build up vocabulary, conversation exercises to practice speaking skills, and a small bilingual dictionary. Native speakers of each language demonstrate proper use of the language, including the words and exercises from the books as well as specially adapted vocal drills for oral work, making pronunciation easy with Hugo's unique "imitated pronunciation" system.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (June 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789495570
• ISBN-13: 978-0789495570
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,014,496 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Fluff, June 22, 2009

By	Chris A. Christopherson "christcr" (Provo, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Spanish in Three Months Book and CD (Hugo) (Paperback)

I find Hugo offerings to be excellent. This one is no exception. Be aware that the Hugo In Three Months series is geared toward a certain type of language learner (which unfortunately is largely ignored these days). If you need to be coddled, entertained and motivated with gimmicks, this is NOT the book for you (try nearly anything else now on the market). If you want to learn a couple of phrases to impress friends, this is NOT the book for you (buy a phrasebook). If you know how to study and need no handholding, this book IS for you. If you want to actually learn the language and understand the way it works, this book IS for you.

Hugo's approach is about as `stripped down' as possible. Make no mistake: it's very intense. You are given clearly and concisely explained language structure, good examples, and non-watered down drills/exercises (although it could use more of these) to help you remember. There is no fluff. Hugo makes you think. A complaint I often read about Hugo is that the material comes too fast. How can that be when you are the one controlling how fast you go? Just slow down! The `Three Months' on the title deceptive. You will not finish in three months unless you are reviewing, already know some of the language, or you are some sort of linguistic prodigy.

The basic strategy with the Hugo series is this: You learn the `skeleton' of the language (grammar and structure) right up front; it isn't presented in a vague, hopscotch fashion as is many of the `newer' methods. You are also given a functional vocabulary. You won't walk away with a huge base of words--just the essentials. What you will walk away with is an understanding of the structure of the language; and adding vocabulary is easy if you already know how everything works. Unfortunately, there are only a few companies that understand the benefits of this approach: Hugo, Living Language, Hippocrene Beginner's Series (the newer ones), and Assimil (although they approach it a bit differently).

So, again, if you know how to study, you will really appreciate this book. You get all of the important basic structure, a good elementary vocabulary, and common pitfalls are addressed--all in thirteen relatively short chapters. No fluff, no gimmicks, no empty promises; just the facts, ma'am.

2.0 out of 5 stars Spanish in 3 months, October 24, 2008

By	Darren Coles - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Spanish in Three Months Book and CD (Hugo) (Paperback)

There is no way you can learn Spanish in 3 months with this book! The book goes into too much grammar and there is not enough examples. If you are using this along side a teacher then it is fine, for someone on their own it is very difficult as the lessons go on because of the grammar. Also it is badly formated, there is stuff that one needs early on in the book not by week 5.