75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another French teacher who loved it!!!, October 4, 2006
This review is from: Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate (CD/Book) (Ultimate Beginner-Intermediate) (Paperback)
I loved, loved, loved this package! In fact, I'll have to buy a new book soon since my old one is so worn out from nights of study and review. This set, to me, is so much better than Pimsleur. It all depends on what you wish to learn. Pimsleur is all audio, so from a purely conversion vantage it might be better for tourists, but it doesn't teach you the ins and outs of the language. Grammar is basic (sometimes non existent). This is the exact opposite. You learn the language properly, by learning how to build it noun by verb etc. It's the way that every child should be taught his primary language (but seldom is, hence Prof. Higgins' rant!). After completing this course (which, if you're studying it thoroughly, should be at the rate of a lesson a week), you will have all the tools you need to construct sentences in several forms of the past, present, and future, as well as having a very solid foundation for pronunciating (most students biggest complaint about French) correctly. I bought this set my senior year of high school to prepare me for college French, and I must say, I learned more from this set than I did all four years of high school French and the first year of college. If you really want to lay the ground work for French fluency, voici le livre!!!
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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommendation from a French teacher, August 1, 2006
This review is from: Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate (CD/Book) (Ultimate Beginner-Intermediate) (Paperback)
The Living Language Ultimate series is my personal number 1 choice when it comes to learning foreign languages, and this French version is no exception.
The whole course is based around realistic dialogues, so you are learning spoken French all the way through the book. Of course you will learn to read it too, but the focus on the spoken language to the extent to which it is presented here helps you build up speech patterns.
Each dialogue features certain language points that are covered in detail in the explanations that follow. These explanations are easy to follow, but extensive enough to give you everything you really need to know, rather than obscure facts and features of the language you are never going to need. In addition, cultural notes support each unit.
The audio component is unique to Living Language, a far as I know. Of the 8 cassettes or CDs, 4 are for use in class, and contain only French. The other 4 are for use at those times when you are travelling, exercising etc. i.e. when you are unable to use the book but you are able to listen and repeat. The `On The Go' recordings feature explanations in English, which support and reinforce the learning you do with the textbook. Far from being a gimmick, these recordings offer a unique element to the course, which allows you to extend your knowledge, even when you cannot learn in a traditional study environment.
A further feature of the course is the advanced volume, which is based upon the same conversational approach as the beginner/intermediate course, and which offers the student the option to take the language further in a format he or she is used to, and therefore, comfortable with.
Admittedly, Living Language Ultimate seems to cost slightly more than other self-study courses on the market, but they are well worth it, and with the Amazon special price you really are getting a bargain on a solid and well integrated language course, that will undoubtedly stand you in good stead whether you are a self-learner or a student of French.
If you're serious about learning French, and you are only intent on purchasing one course, then I recommend this one.
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70 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!, October 19, 2005
This review is from: Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate (CD/Book) (Ultimate Beginner-Intermediate) (Paperback)
Excellent self study course as is all of the ultimate series. If you are motivated and organized in your studies you can learn much from this course not only about the language but also how to use it which is most important. You will not need a teacher. In fact I have never known anyone to become truely proficient through classes. You must study every day. I would reccomend this course along with Barrons mastering. Barrons for the drilling method which may be old but us tried and true and Ultimate for the up to date diologues and vocabulary. Also listen to movies with french tracks and also the internet news in French can be invaluable in developing your listening comprehension.
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