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Pimsleur Quick and Simple French Reviews

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Category: Teach Yourself French Guides (AKA French Learning Courses & Software)



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Speaking is the most important thing.
28 April 2012
Reviewer: Carushka from Simi Valley, CA, USA

230 of 415 people found this review helpful

Emphasis on Speaking / Pronunciation:
Emphasis on Writing / Grammar:
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I base this review on all 3 levels of the entire Pimsleur French program.

It would seem odd that I gave this product a 5-star overall rating since some areas got a 2 but I do believe that it is that good and the areas that are lacking are simply not the way the course is taught. I have some middle-school level experience with french so I wasn't intimidated by not seeing the words since I already could visualize them.

I have dabbled in French a tiny bit for years. Finally I purchased Rosetta Stone to really accomplish my goal of fluency but quickly I was concerned with my complete lack of understanding of the grammar rules because I think those details are crucial. I will go back to Rosetta later because the vocabulary is broad and you get to interact with real instructors.

What makes Pimsleur the best is the way the building blocks accrue right from day one and you really learn proper sentence structure, pronunciation and just generally how to speak the language. It's very simple yet simultaneously brilliant. You interpret the sentences based on the knowledge you've been given up to that point and as time goes on your directions will be given to you more and more in the language you are learning. Patterns will emerge and the logic will become evident.

Okay, the potential downside for some will be that it may require several days to master each lesson and I would advise going back occasionally and reviewing the ones you have already completed to address whatever you may have struggled with. Although I say you learn pronunciation, that is really based on your ability to repeat what you hear accurately and conscientiously. I have subsequently purchased Fluenz because I wanted to start seeing the words and getting some concrete rules in place, but I have come to believe you will always need more than one program to truly learn a language.

I rave about Pimsleur simply because I am truly speaking French on a level no Berlitz course with a real teacher or any other program could ever take me to and I can put together off the cuff ideas and sentences. Also I might mention that when I watch French films (audio only) I understand a great deal of what they are saying which is 'formidable'.

I have other french programs I will use in future along with Rosetta and Fluenz such as Smart French, Behind the Wheel and Linguaphone because those will serve to expand vocabulary and increase hearing speed but I consider Pimsleur to be the 'meat and potatoes' of my language learning experience after which everything else is gravy.

Thanks for listening

In summary, I would recommend Pimsleur Quick and Simple French to a friend.



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