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It won't make you fluent, but it will give you a familiarity with a language, its vocabulary and pronunciation, that will give you some confidence in using it. Pimsleur language programs are really good, and Conversational French is no different. This is an easy way (with repeated listenings) to learn a bit of another language.
Seems like it will be helpful for our trip to Quebec. Delivery was in four days. Thanks. Product was as promised - new, unused and in a sealed box. Price was excellent.
Its more rote learning. The conversations are brilliant along with the drill. Not only are the transcripts there, but the tenses and grammar are explained very well, as well as its far cheaper. I would strongly recommend the 10 CD Michel Thomas method along with the Advanced course. However there is no written transcripts for you to verify the spellings or the subtleties of pronunciation, and very often the tense changes with a minor twist in pronunciation, which our non french ears may not be able to decipher. Considering the high cost of the package the company should have included the transcripts, maybe in a soft form.The other thing is that grammar is not really explained during the course.
But as I said, you'll need to invest some time and effort to get that 'instant understanding.' Take the time. 'You never know when you might need it,' he said. I know, because I speak a number of languages poorly but thanks to Pimsleur CDs I'm probably less irritating to waiters, shop keepers and hotel staff in French and German. The better we communicate, the better we inevitably become. The CDs cover ample basics and if you transfer the discs into your I-POD or plug them into your car you can play them and do the exercises until you get a working understanding going. Let's be frank or in this case, French.
Go forth and communicate." The fact is you have to put in some real effort and study to reach a reasonable level of proficiency. The CDs provide good value for what you get and are a good learning tool too. There is no 'instant conversation' as in, "Voila. If you're riding the train or bus you may get a few strange looks from your fellow commuters or say, learn a few new helpful phrases, like swear words I picked up from a fellow commuter. A shame though the CDs don't teach you to sneer. Now you are gifted with an immediate understanding.
I'm dang near certain they chuckle less too.
It's definitely better to learn the correct pronounciation FIRST. Pimsleur was effective because of the reviews that occur throughout the audio set. I understand that other users may want a written book or guide. The next session builds on the previous session with a some "new material" and by the end you've built a "small" but effective vocabulary.
This is the first French language product that has been an effective tool for me to actually learn French. I highly recommend this audio series. However, I've found that with French, it is better NOT to know how the word is spelled because it doesn't sound anything like the way it's spelled. I've taken local classes, used Rosetta Stone, and purchased Smart French audio CDS.
I also learned specific language rules that were omitted or assumed common knowledge in my French class. It was much more effective than the Smart French Audio CDs. Yes.I am an old dog and its very hard for me to learn new tricks. You just don't memorize it one time and then never hear it again.
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