Talk Now! Learn Amharic - Beginning Level [Old Version]

by EuroTalk

Product Features

• Comprehensive interactive language learning; ideal for beginners
• Easy and hard quizzes, plus a challenging memory game
• Compare yourself with native speakers; monitor progress
• Topics include phrases, food, shopping, telling time, and more
• On-screen help available in over 75 languages; printable dictionary

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000899LV
• Item model number: AMT5073
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 26, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,595 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Talk Now! is the world's best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million people to date. Designed for newcomers to the language, Talk Now! is the perfect method to access a wealth of comprehensive fundamental vocabulary and accurate pronunciation in one user-friendly plan packed with useful words, a picture dictionary, and quizzes. Anyone over 10 years of age will find the program indispensable for improving listening, understanding and spoken language skills.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars even if you enjoy being treated as if you were 4, its still not worth it., October 24, 2006

By 

Justin D. Andrews (East Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talk Now! Learn Amharic - Beginning Level [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Eurotalk apparently uses the same vocabulary lists and activities for its entire foreign language series. This Amharic CD-Rom teaches you such essential words as "teddy bear" and "raspberry", neither of which are terribly common in Ethiopia, while neglecting "injeera" and "chick peas" &c. Also, the vocab word comes up in Ge'ez script, but no transliteration is made avaliable. In fact, there are no script lessons at all on this CD-Rom.

Also for the vocabulary, two humans, resembling the most obnoxious of ESL teachers, on the screen act as if they are saying the words, but simply mouth some random muted utterance. It is annoying and distracting (imagine the word "strawberry" articulated while a man mouths "car" while moving around herky-jerky style and uncontrolably blinking). Better to spend the extra money on the Appleyard CD/Book combo. Please believe me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be improved, March 20, 2006

By 

DFG - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talk Now! Learn Amharic - Beginning Level [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Let's face it - there aren't many options available for someone wishing to learn basic Amharic. And after using this product for a while, you'll certainly know more Amharic than you started with. It's a worthwhile purchase as long as you aren't expecting too much out of it.

I do think it could be improved, though. In particular I would take issue with some of the choices of vocabulary it teaches - there are words and phrases which would be useful but don't appear, as well as some that just seem unnecessary. This is especially so in the "phrases" section, and it isn't helped by the fact that some of these phrases are so long and complicated that the odds of a basic student memorising them seem remote at best.

And the customer service is TERRIBLE, so you'd better hope you don't get a defective CD.

Until something better comes along though, this will do for the basic traveller.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction for a tourist, March 2, 2006

By 

Winter Mason (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talk Now! Learn Amharic - Beginning Level [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

The program is a fun, interactive way to get a feel for reading and pronouncing Amharic. It definitely would help if you just want to get around Ethiopia for a vacation, but it is not much more than a primer if you actually want to learn the language. That being said, it is a gentle introduction if it's your first time encountering Amharic.