Speak Like A Native: Professional Secrets for Mastering Foreign Languages [Paperback]

Michael Janich (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1581604521 | ISBN-13: 978-1581604528 | Publication Date: September 1, 2004

This is a distillation of the techniques and strategies used by the author and other professional linguists from the Defense Language Institute, State Department, CIA, NSA and other government agencies. It includes the 10 rules for establishing and achieving your goals, the author's unique 12-step process for accelerating your learning and 50 proven tips favored by the pros. This instruction program will allow you to speak any language like a native.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael D. Janich is a two-time graduate with honors from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) in Monterey, California. After completing its basic one-year course in Chinese-Mandarin, he completed intermediate and advanced Chinese training through the National Security Agency, where he served as a political-military intelligence analyst and translator. During his second period of study at DLIFLC, he learned Vietnamese. He then worked as a POW/MIA Investigation Team Leader and an intelligence officer and served as interpreter for official negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnamese delegations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581604521
• ISBN-13: 978-1581604528
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn a Foreign Language, March 22, 2008

By 

Vulcan20mm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speak Like A Native: Professional Secrets for Mastering Foreign Languages (Paperback)

This one of three books I have read about learning foreign languages, and by far this book is the best for the cost. The book contains practical and useful information for anyone interested in learning a foreign language. There is little fluff contained in this book, and the author stays on topic with personal experiences interspersed into the text. His experiences tend to drive home a point.

The author starts with how and why establishing goals for your target language is essential, and progresses to 50 tips used by language learners. The author used many of the tips to learn two languages -- Chinese-Mandarin, and Vietnamese.

This book makes no guarantees, and points out that learning a foreign language takes work. The author ensures the fledging language learner understands the fact that learning a language will require effort.

This book contains quality information for learning a foreign language, and the book is easy to read. Overall a quality buy for learning quality tips and tricks on improving your odds at effectively learning a foreign language. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to learn a foreign language!

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding resource for ANY language learner..., May 17, 2007

By 

J. Lockridge "jllx" (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Speak Like A Native: Professional Secrets for Mastering Foreign Languages (Paperback)

I have been studying languages (other than my native tongue) for about the last 10 years. I have never (until now) taken any structured classes, doing the studies all on my own. However, this is not recommended as I feel that a lot of what progress I have made could have been amplified by using a book like Janich's in order to structure my learning, and to focus my learning. There is no other book out there that I'm aware of that does such a good job of making SPECIFIC recommendations on how to get the most out of study time, setting priorities for yourself, and developing a course of study that will be efficient and show results.

If you're serious about learning ANY language, this book is a must.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointing, October 26, 2009

By 

J. Goldstein "language nut" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Speak Like A Native: Professional Secrets for Mastering Foreign Languages (Paperback)

I bought this book based on several positive reviews. I teach Spanish and am also a student of languages. I am always searching for more help to improve my learning and that of my students. This book started out fine but then the suggestions changed to ways to "get by" in a foreign language rather than actually working to improve mastery. While "getting by" is often necessary especially in a language one does not know well or does not want to master, I was looking for "tips" for moving toward fluency.