Talk Now! Learn Bengali - 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: 5.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000899LZ
• Item model number: AMT5050
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 15, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,610 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

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

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for vocabulary building and pronunciation practice, January 31, 2003

By A Customer

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

Don't depend on this software to teach Bengali script or grammar. You should use it in conjunction with a grammar book. I use this and 101 Languages of the World mainly to practice pronunciation but also to build my vocabulary. You can click on a word over and over to hear the pronunciation. You can also record yourself and compare your pronunciation to that of the native speaker. The software focuses on basic vocabulary like numbers, colors, greetings, travel phrases, food, etc. It has games to reinforce learning.

I like the fact that they show you each word written in Bengali script which helps with word recognition when I read Bengali. I highly recommend getting this and 101 Languages of the World. I am giving it 4 stars because they don't teach as many words as I would have liked. I estimate that there are about 400-500 words. But for the purposes of improving pronunciation it is worth it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some value, but mostly disappointed, January 9, 2005

By 

Amy J. Pruden-bagchi "Amy Bagchi" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

While I like the CD format and am impressed with its interactive features, I was mainly disappointed by this product. The vocabulary is quite limited, and also not very culturally appropriate. For example, I don't see myself going to Calcutta and asking where I can buy pizza, a hamburger, and a beer. Also it would be more useful to know how to say sari, blouse, and bindi, than shorts and tee-shirt. The lessons were also too focused on nouns and very few verbs (if any?) were taught. I did like the feature that allows you to record and compare your pronunciation, and the spellings were shown in Bengali script, which is good for those trying to develop their reading skills. Definitely need to supplement this product with other books.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Hilarious, August 10, 2006

By 

J. Yadav (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Unfortunately, this product does a very poor job of teaching Bengali.

Many Indian languages use a great deal of English borrow words, and this CDROM does a great job of covering them. According to "TalkNow," the Bengali word for "hospital" is "hospital" and the word for "saucepan" is "saucepan." While it is true that English borrow words are used in everyday speech in Bengal, there certainly are a whole lot of other words too. This CDROM will not help you with those. What (disproportionately few) Bengali words are mentioned are accompanied by Bengali script with no transliteration and no accompanying lessons on the Bengali Aphabet.

In short, buy this product if you're looking for a good laugh, or if you would like to learn how to speak English with a Bengali accent. However, if you would like to learn actual Bengali words and phrases, I would suggest you buy Teach Yourself Bengali Complete Course by William Radice; or take a class. (The University of Wisconsin, Madison, has Bengali summer programs) Good luck!