Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (5)

Every bit as good as Pimsleur German I
Pimsleur Language Programs products are among the best-selling audio language courses available.`Organic learning' seeks to approximate the conditions in which ordinary language-learning takes place.The process is almost entirely aural, supplemented only minimally-or at the student's discretion, not at all-by reference to reading lessons after each half-hour lesson.
Sehr Gut
I took two years of German in high school, which was some decades ago, and after a ski trip to Austria I decided to brush up on my German. I've bought numerous books, dvds, tapes, etc. and for learning conversational German this has been far and away the best. It's pricey, no doubt, but it's very, very well done and very user friendly. I had a professor in college who said we learn the most in an area of "just manageable difficulty". In other words, stretched and challenged but not made to despair. This is the arena the Pimsleur cd/tapes work in.
The best of the Pimsleur German series.
If you thought Pimsleur German I helped you to learn German, you really must move onto Pimsleur German II.It is, without a doubt, one of the best tools you could possibly use to progress from barely being able to get your message across to being able to express not only what you want, but what you think about things.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. German    5. German language    6. Self-instruction    7. Sound recordings for English speakers    8. Spoken German    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    10. Foreign Language Study / German   

Features

• Unabridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (13)

Not worth the huge price tag.
If you are looking into learning a foreign language, any foreign language...the first recommendation from the Internet or friends is usually Pimsleur.
Bookchip version is better and easier to use,
Bookchip version is better and easier to use, ( 3 bookchips compared to 52 cds) I bought bookchips and cds, send cds back. Buy Bookchip (Audiofy Bookchip) instead.

Great language CD!
My husband and I both used this CD - he used it to learn the language from start and I to review.We both really liked it!As a French newbie, he learned by going through each CD two to three times, while I just went through each CD once.It's a great way to learn/improve your listening and speaking skills.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Foreign Language Study / French   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (19)

Better With Behind the Wheel French Revised
Henry S. Raymond's Learn in Your Car French is clearly and indisputably one of the best 'bang for your buck'car French courses on the market.
Good Purchase
I have taken a few French classes and this was a fun easy refresher to teach and go over the basics in spoken French language.It also helps refine pronunciation and was exactly what I was looking for.It might be a little challenging for someone with no experience at all in the language.

The First 3 CDs Helped Tremendously!
I had to go to Paris for a conference and didn't know the first bit of French other than "Bon jour!" and "Oui." I searched through many options and, after reading all the reviews, decided on French Complete. I spent two months (about 3-4 hours per week) listening to the first 3 CDs (Level 1) over and over and over again in the car. By the time I left for my trip, I was surprisingly comfortable with basic French conversation. I was confident I would be just fine. Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. French    3. Language    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Language self-study & phrasebooks    6. Language teaching theory & methods    7. Tamil   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (74)

great!
I am an avid student of languages.I teach myself, since I am no longer in school.Pimsleur used to be my preferred beginner's course, but then I found Michel Thomas.Michel Thomas is the best audio course for a new student of French.It takes you from ZERO to be somewhat proficient.The course it great.You learn the grammar and a lot of vocabulary in a fun way.It's very engaging, and it feels like you are in a little classroom with just two other students and Michel himself.I highly recommend it.Definitely worth the money.

It is indeed the fastest way to learn French!
The way the CD series is mapped out you can't help but pick up on the French langauge.He makes it so simple:)

Deceptively Revolutionary!
When I first heard the Michel Thomas recordings, I have to say, I wasn't really impressed, maybe because I was listening with a linguistic ear and from a perspective of a French teacher. I couldn't see anything new or amazing in the long awaited revelation of Michel's secret teaching method. That was a somewhat arrogant first assessment on my part, I do now admit.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. French language    5. Self-instruction    6. Sound recordings for English speakers    7. Spoken French    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Foreign Language Study / French   

Reviews (10)

great review book, good for hw, GREAT value
I bought this b/c I needed it to go along with my French 102 texbook, MUCH cheaper than buying it thru my university or with the text.Very good to help students review material.I would definitely recommend to others who wish to learn french (with the text of course).

Best Value Ever
This book is one of the best looking used items I have ever purchased. I was amazed that I got such a beautiful book for such a great price. The seller was prompt in sending it also.

nice book
I've seen better, but there is very little scribbling in it and that's what counts.Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. Language    5. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (24)

Learn to distinguish spoken words
I've searched and searched, read reviews of products after products.I then tried SmartFrench and it was exactly what I needed!Just amazing.
This has really helped me.
First of all, if/when you go to France, the whole experience is completely different if you attempt to speak their language versus if you expect them to speak yours (which they all can!).They really appreciate your attempt to speak the language that they are so proud of and consider an art, and they make every effort to help you to learn more and improve.It really, really opens so many doors to try to speak French. It's the difference between being treated like family versus being practically shunned.So do try to speak it.But the catch is that they hate it if you "bastardize" their language, meaning really rip up the pronunciation badly.It makes them wince.When I went to Lyon a few years ago I made every effort to speak French the whole time and was shocked how incredibly accomodating, sweet, and warm the French were to me, teaching me new words, helping me with my pronunciation, drawing me pictures, everything!Nothing like the rude treatment other Americans told me to expect from the French.One thing I noticed, though, was that while most of the time they could understand what I was saying pretty well, I most often could NOT understand most of what they were saying.This is because they spoke faster than I was used to listening to French and also because the French link their words together.Having being taught from text books and slow-speaking French teachers, I was over my head.I bought the beginner and the intermediate/advanced versions of this CD set because it's been a while since I practiced French and I originally leaned by the textbook method so I wasn't sure which I fit under.(I discovered that I fit under "beginner" in some aspects and under "intermediate/advanced" with other aspects.) Since I have a long drive to work and back every day, I play these and (when I'm awake enough) I do the recitations with him.I have to say that it's helped a lot.Both versions have.And the more times you listen the better you get and the easier it gets to understand.He says on the CD that you shouldn't or don't need to read the translations in the book that come with it, but I found that it helped me to read them before listening or I was distracted by my plausible ideas of what is really going on in the conversations.The content of the conversations is actually pretty interesting too:he interviews people, for example, who have had long diplomatic careers or knew Salvadore Dali as a child (both examples are in the intermediate/advanced version).For the first time since studying a language I've actually learned from the syntax AND the content of the lessons.I found it to be a wise purchase.Both of them.The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was simply because the tips he gives throughout the CDs can be a little repetitive, but then with some things you do need that consistent reminder.

Not so easy
I am studying French language at the local college and based on what other reviewers stated I thought this would be very good.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. French    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Reviews (12)

Well Organized
French grammar is hard to learn because although there are rules there are more exceptions than rules.This book does a great job of organizing things in a way to deal with all the expections.I especially like the way it presents the verbs.I own quite a few books on French grammar but the way this book groups the verbs is really much better.In terms of reviewing for a test (or for real life if you live in France) a book like this is essential, since most normal French text book are just too disorganized to find what you are looking for.Also it helps me to see all the rules about a certain topic in one place at one time.There are lots of exercises and the answers are in the back of the book to check yourself.Learning French grammar isn't ever going to be easy, but if you use this book it will be a lot easier than if you don't.Highly recommended.

Must have French learning companion
I don't have to describe the content in detail as the self-explanatory nature of the title.I studied French in L'Alliance Francais for some time.Their communicative approach almost makes me paralysed until I have this book.I can't imagine how a middle age person can learn a new language by merely listening and imitating the sound of teachers.On the contrary the grammatical approach in this book systematically illustrate every single bit of grammar detail for beginner (and intermediate level student). By reading and reviewing the explanation as well as practising the exercise, I can make a lot sense in French now.And I am not just fantizing it.The most exciting piece of news is that my progress is noticed by both my French teacher and my classmates.The mastering of basic is so satisfying and giving me advancement and enjoyment.

good for brushing up skills
I've worked through this book a couple of times now to brush up my French skills. It's excellent as a companion to a course, or just to practise. I would recommend it from the beginner, to the more advanced speaker who would like to refine their knowledge of the language. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. French    3. French Language    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Language    7. Study Guides    8. Foreign Language Study / French    9. Grammar & vocabulary   

Reviews (6)

Do we really need political bias in a tranlation book?
I was really looking forward to using this book on our next trip to Paris, until I read the section in which it defines Jean-Marie Le Pen's Front National party as an "extremist, racist party". I mean, after the events over the past year (car burnings, riots, cartoons, etc) it would behoove Mr. Steve's to pray that Le Pen's party wins the next election, or he will be writing a book on how to speak Arabic instead of French

Great for learning the basics
I am very impressed by this book and how easily it teaches the pronunciation of this difficult-to-learn language.It's pocket-sized, and has commonly used words inside the front and back covers for easy reference.There is also a handy 'menu guide' --- very important for travellers with finicky eating habits!We leave for France again in a month ... and definitely feel more comfortable approaching the language barrier with this book in tow.

great remedial course
I haven't spoken French since high school, & I'm planning my first trip to Europe (including Paris). This book is really helping me remember all the tricky parts of the language, but it doesn't bog me down with the grammar that my old French teacher tried to drill into my head! This book has the important stuff, like ordering in a restaurant. It's small enough to fit in my pocket, so I know I'll use it a lot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. French    5. French Language    6. Grammar    7. Language    8. Multi-Language Dictionaries    9. Multi-Language Phrasebooks    10. Bilingual dictionaries    11. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (2)

Horrible Book!
This textbook is difficult to use and doesn't adequately explain grammatical points, and it is not put together well. My French class just started using this book, and everyone is having trouble. The tests with this book use idiomatic expressions and other grammatical points that aren't explained expressed in the text or in the text at all. My class is doing poorly with this book. It doesn't offer any type of practice test program like its predecessor Rendez-vous. Personally, I don't like Rendez-vous or Bravo; the two books just don't present the material in a clear and concise manner. I suggest to any instructor considering this book for his or her class to make another choice! Students would be better off buying a learn-it-yourself program at their local bookstore rather than taking a course with this book! If you're looking for a good intermediate French textbook consider Interaction - Révision de grammaire française 6th edition by Susan St. Onge, Ronald St. Onge, and Katherine Kulick. For advanced grammatical studies I recommend La Grammaire à l'oeuvre 5th edition by John Barson. Both of these wonderful books are published by Thomson-Heinle.

Muyskens, harlow,vialet,Briere, Bravo 3th,Ed. Boston: Heine&
It's a french book I need to buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. Language    5. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    6. Foreign Language Study / French    7. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (20)

An excellent beginning reader
This book helped me end a lull in my French studies--I loved it.Most other reviews have sung it's praises enough to convince prospective buyers that this book is worth having and using, so I'll just point out a couple of things:
Awesome resource
Great for beginners! If you are new to french consider this purchase. Easy to read and understand.

Easy French Reader is just that.
I am a French teacher for a senior center and was desperately looking for a textbook that would provide easy learning, humor and achievement.This excellent text does just that without all the overwhelming information that a high school or college text has.I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. French Language    5. Language    6. Readers    7. Foreign Language Study / French    8. Language readers   

Reviews (6)

Poor French Textbook !!!
I set out to learn some French on my own and I picked this book up because the publisher Heinle produces some fine language learning materials. This book,however, was not a good choice. The book strives to be innovative but ends up being a confusing mess. It starts out with French but no corresponding English translation. The reader must flip to the back of the chapter to get this information. I have seen some other French texts with this same approach. If I could start out reading French I would hardly need to take a course or buy a textbook in the first place. This book seems to be afraid of grammar. There are no grammar summaries that can be useful in studying the language.
This is not the best book
I had to buy this book for class and I really, really don't like it. It is confusing in the way that it is organized. The professer for my 102 class hated it as well. He said that it left out a lot of critical information and confuses the reader. I agree. I find I learn a lot better with a couple vocabulary books and a grammar book.

Very good condition.Almost like new.
It is a very good choice for those who want to learn French. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. French language    5. General    6. Language    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Miscellaneous    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. ELT: Learning Material & Coursework    11. Foreign Language Study / French    12. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (2)

Still the best for beginners
I have tried a lot of audio methods, and Pimsleur is still the best by far. It is more expensive than most other audio methods, but it really works and it is enjoyable. Perhaps if you learn a language with family and friends and share the material, you can share the cost and practice with others! Or after you have completed the lessons, sell them (if you are generous, donate them to your library). Pimsleur really helps with proper pronunciation and uses a technique that makes what you learn stick in your brain - not any gimmicky memory tricks. Pimsleur covers a lot of basic material, but it does not overload the beginner with vocabulary or grammar - a case of less being more. However, I do wish Pimsleur included a print version of the audio material. At the end of 90 lessons (French I,II, and III), you will not speak at an intermediate level - no audio method can do that - but you will speak easily and well at a beginner level. Doing Pimsleur first, before taking a formal foreign language class, is the best way to go. I can't recommend Pimsleur highly enough.

By far the best
Pimsleur are absolutely the best.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Foreign Language Study / French   

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. French Language    5. Language    6. Foreign Language Study / French    7. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (21)

The only method that works
I've always wanted to learn French and have tried a couple of other audio programs (Living Language and Barron's).I found them tedious and boring and quit after the first few lessons.A friend recommended Pimsleur, so I gave their program a try and am happy that I did.
for beginners
The program begins with REALLY basic material, such as introductions/greeting, etc. I found it frustrating, only because I have taken three levels in college and two in high school. If you have a good foundation of the language, skip the first (French I) and just order the second and third. It's definately a waste of $ and there are other books out there that are a fraction of the cost and will help you build vocabulary.
By far the best
Pimsleur are absolutely the best.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Audio Adult: Language    3. Foreign Language Study    4. French    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Foreign Language Study / French   

Reviews (25)

The Bible of Spanish grammar
There is no other. This is it. Period. Buy it.

For the Intermediate and Advanced Learners
First, this is reference book...not a book that you should be reading from front to back.
A New Reference Grammar for Modern Spanish
Great reference for teachers teaching Spanish.It helps explain the grammatical concepts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. French    4. Language    5. Spanish    6. Foreign Language Study / French    7. Grammar & vocabulary   

Reviews (7)

Best French Dictionary for the Anglophone
Simply put, this is the best French-English/English-French dictionary I've found yet. Even in the more concise editions, there isn't often a word or translation missing. It is sturdy, compact, and easy to use, making it ideal for even the beginning student or traveler (and for the more advanced student, this company also puts out an excellent French language dictionary). Forget any other French/English dictionary--this is the best you'll find. Whoever says that this dictionary is anything less than superb and fit for its purpose ought to be stuck trying to learn Russian from one of those "Living Language" courses--eeek!

The Best Compact French Dictionary Available...
When I say compact, of course, I mean that it's not heavy.It's the size of a normal mass-market paperback, but it has pretty much any word you'll need on a normal basis.When I'm reading French internet articles or sitting down with one of the Harry Potter books in French, I can find just about anything necessary.Once in a while I'll have to check my massive Oxford-Hachette, but this is really a steal at $6.

Okay for travelling students and reading the newspaper. Bad otherwise.
I'm studying in Switzerland right now. I came to this country because it has 4 official languages, and I'm studying two of them. What that means for me is a massive backpack, and thus, when I went to purchase a French dictionary, I chose a Pocket-size one - in this case, the Larousse.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. French    4. Reference    5. Romance Languages    6. Reference / Dictionaries   

Reviews (11)

French in 10 Minutes(?) a Day
While it might take more than 10 minutes a day, It does seem to take a systematic approach to learn a language. The book contains worksheets that helps to get the point fixed in your mind by seeing, saying (it starts you out with both the word and it's phonetic equivalent to help), and writing the word under discussion. The book also contains stickers that can be applied to items around your home to remind you of the word used to describe that item. There are also flash cards that can be used to test your knowledge and keep you sharp. It works well to do it with a partner, but you might want to each get your own book.

ExcellentWorkbook for the Beginner
As a beginner to learning the French language, I find this workbook very easy to use.It makes learning interesting because it incorporates fun activities that keep it from being tedious and boring. The pronunciations make sense, and the book starts off with key words that are frequently used.Placing the word labels around my house has been a great way to practice every day.

Best way to learn french!
Other books start off with random words and have no flow but this book starts you off with the basics and helps you learn the most important words first. This book is easy to follow and it is actually effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conversation and phrase books    2. English    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. French    6. French language    7. Language    8. Self-instruction    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. Travel / Europe / France    11. Europe - France    12. Language self-study & phrasebooks    13. Travel   

Reviews (46)

Better With Behind the Wheel French Revised with Text
As a reference,The Ultimate French Review and Practice gets a full five star rating from me.As a 'stand alone' only three stars.
Fantastic!
What a useful reference! I bought this book hoping to brush up on my French after a few years of absence, and found it to be indispensable. It's great for quickly looking up grammatical rules and structures as well as vocabulary-building using the helpful vocabulary lists throughout the book.
Ne fachez-vous avec votre progres en francais. S'en ameliorez-vous.
The title in French above isn't much, but I couldn't have written it just a couple of months ago with out help from this, and frankly other sources of, French language instruction.
Read more

Subjects:  1. English    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. French    5. French language    6. General    7. Grammar    8. Language    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. Foreign Language Study / French    11. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (18)

Great supplement to learning French
This program is great for doing what most language courses forget to do:teach you how to SPEAK the language.Sure, you can learn all your verb conjugations and vocabulary, but there is no better way to really learn the language than from native speakers.I learned this valuable lesson when I visited Mexico after years of Spanish classes, at both high school and college level.I found that I had to relearn the language according to how people truly speak it.My advice to anyone is try this program; don't expect lists of vocabulary words or verb conjugation tables--you can get those elsewhere--but rather an immersion into the way French people really talk.Enjoy!

Not Bad But I Still Prefer Complete Behind the Wheel French
Christian Aubert's SmartFrench isn't really all that bad.Sure, it can be tough to decipher and it does get boring at times.
Very helpful!
I found these CDs excellent.They have really helped me bone up for a trip to France.I have a degree in French and have looked high and low for some review material that is fun and challenging enough and have finally found it in these CDs.I noticed an immediate improvement in my pronunciation and confidence speaking French.Merci! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. French    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Reviews (19)

It Really Does Work
I remember reading several of the other reviews of this text back in 2004 and being encouraged by them.I purchased it at that time as an incoming first year doctoral student in Religious Studies.I must say, Sandberg's effort does as advertised.I approached it methodically, working through it no more than two hours each day, completing about 12 to 14 chapters.I stayed consistent in my approach, making sure I never went more than two days in a row without working on French.I, as well as several others I know who used this text, was able to pass my French proficiency exam the first time around (without even working through the entire book)!Please note, however, that I went back through the first 12 chapters a second time as a refresher.At that point, I felt confident that I could translate most theological texts.I ultimately translated a section from Les Damnes de la Terre by Frantz Fanon.Highly recommended.

Excellent For All Levels
This book is a lifesaver!It is geared toward graduate students who need to rapidly acquire a reading knowledge of French to pass a language exam.For this purpose, French for Reading helped me out immensely.In high school and as an undergraduate, I had taken French to meet the bare graduation requirements.Jump ahead five years, when I was confronted with the need to pass French translation exam to complete a doctoral degree.Needless to say, after five years of barely thinking about the language, my basic knowledge of French was not up to the task.With the help of this book and studying it for an hour or two daily over a two month period, I am now reading mature French texts far above the level of that which is typically given to a graduate student on a language exam. I was able to pass my translation exam with almost no difficulty.