Reviews (72)

Excellent resource
This tape series is wonderful! I had a few years of high school spanish but was very rusty.I used these tapes to brush up.After listening to them over and over, I am able to speak pretty fluently with clients at work. The 2 speakers on the tape are enjoyable and professional in the way they interact.I feel like I know them personally, by now! It is nice to hear a native speaker as well as an american born person say the words and phrases.

Learning Spanish Made Fun and Easy, and most of all, Affordable
This is one of my favorite Spanish courses. I have learned lots of Spanish from it. But what's most important about this course is that Mark Frobose uses a method that not only teaches you Spanish but also helps you retain it. I recommend this course to any that is looking to learn Spanish fast but is not looking to spend lots of money to learn it.

FANTASTICO !
I have several others CD's that I do not use b/c they are boring.However, when I saw the reviews on this I decided to take a chance.It is wonderful.Head & shoulders above the others I have.Really an excellent supplement to my spanish language lessons (or it would be very fine by itself I think).
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study / Spanish    2. General    3. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Audio - Language    6. Audio Adult: Language    7. Foreign Language Study    8. Self-instruction    9. Spanish    10. Spanish language   

Editorial Review

Composition teachers throughout the English-speaking world have been pushing this book on their students since it was first published in 1957.Co-author White later revised it, and it remains the most compact and lucid handbook we have for matters of basic principles of composition, grammar, word usage and misusage, and writing style. ... Read more

Reviews (286)

Do You Dread Looking Things Up?
The Elements of Style makes grammatical research so easy, you'll want to look up things you'd always wondered about but thought would take too much time. Recently someone asked me about the use of the serial comma, and, as it was about text we were going to put on the dust jacket of a book, it was sufficiently important to look up. It turned out to be the second item in the Table of Contents. First you get the general rule, in this case "In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last." The example given is "gold, silver, or copper." The sole exception is a series of names in a business: "Brown, Shipley and Co." There! With thirty seconds effort, the issue was adjudicated. I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank God for the Fourth Edition. My Third Edition is dog-eared with use.

Important Reading
This little book is important reading for any one who has or is desiring to write. One of the best things that I could say about the book is that it is full of examples that are juxtaposed. Every element is clearly defined in such a way that any one can easily see the difference between the examples given. This book is a "how to" book for proper use of english in written form. It seemingly covers everything you could imagine from the use of commas and omiting needless words to expressing yourself clearly and not overwriting. The five chapters are: 1. Elementary Rules of Usage 2. Elementary Principles of Composition 3. A Few Matters of Form 4. Words and Expressions Commonly Misused 5. An Approach to Style.
Absolutely Indispensable!
Anyone doing any writing, regardless of the purpose, must have a copy of this handy little reference book right next to their dictionary and thesaurus. "Elements of Style" is an indispensable little guide full of superb tips for the correct use of the English language. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. English Composition    3. English language    4. Grammar    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Literary style    8. Reference    9. Report writing    10. Rhetoric    11. Style    12. Technical Writing    13. Writing Skills    14. English    15. Technology / Technical Writing    16. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (1)

Great Results
It was a wonderful first time for me purchasing from Amazon.The books came in perfect conditions and in a timely manner.I am very satisfied with the results of my purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bilingual Education    2. Education    3. English As A Second Language    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. General    6. ELT: teaching theory & methods    7. Education / Bilingual Education    8. English    9. Industrial or vocational training   

Editorial Review

Now including terms such as Read more

Reviews (26)

No "blog" but who cares...
Very contempory with updated word list and the extra photos, diagrams, etc. etc. etc. make this a fine choice for kids of all ages from 2 to 92.I am especially happy they included the 'hoopoe' in the bird category.We have many here in Thailand where I live.

very helpful
My daughters are in the third grade and, we have found this dictionary to be very helpful. It is bright and colorful but, it contains quite a bit of information as well. It helps them not only when they are writing something (to look up the spelling of a word) but also to understand the meaning of words. It gives parts of speech, different tenses, and pronunciation of the word as well. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to buy a dictionary for children. I had bought the Scholastic First Dictionary also but, honestly, we did not use that one much at all. The Children's Dictionary is my pick, for sure.

Perfect
My son is in 3rd grade. Every week he has to read a new story & learn a list of words from that story. Yesterday, I received the dictionary. Paging through it, it's very easy follow. Every word that was on his list was in the dictionary & the definations were perfect for him to understand. My son also said that they use the same dictionary in his classroom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Dictionaries    4. Dictionaries, Juvenile    5. English language    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Reference - Dictionaries    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Reference / Dictionaries   

Reviews (7)

Pictures are sometimes confusing
I bought this book for the ASL class I am taking. I missed one week and tried to use the book to teach myself the missed lesson. I did not understand about a third of the diagrams on how to do the different signs. I have seen some sources with explanations to accompany signs which would have made this book much clearer.

Learning American Sign Language
This book is a good one to accompany an ASL class.It is hard to display three dimensional signs on a two dimensional picture.The aid of an instructor makes up for this difficulty.Also some of the vocabluary is not quite right for conversations.The instructor helps straighten out these conflicts.It is a good book with a lot of information as a textbook should be and that is why it is a required text for the class I am taking.

Not the best way to learn Sign language
This book is a little difficult because you can't tell exactly which way to move your hands by the drawings.The illustrations are not the best, but the composition of the book is good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Sign Language    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Medical    6. Sign Language    7. Sign Language For The Deaf    8. Medical / Audiology & Speech Pathology    9. Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication   

Reviews (2)

Software does not record answers!
When taking the practice tests, you cannot save your speaking test answers. So, you're just talking into the air... Also, you can save the writing section only in the practice mode. In the test mode, your essay simply disappears....The Longman has a much better CD-ROM.

Excelent Book
I tried 3 books for TOEFL IBT; this one was the best of all, it have 7 complete tests, and 10 Audio CDs with a good price. and also a section for teaching the technics. I thing it is almost perfect. and it delivered much faster that exepted. Have fun with TOEFL. Good luck for all.
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Subjects:  1. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    2. English As A Second Language    3. English language    4. Examinations    5. General    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Study Aids    8. Study Guides    9. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)    10. Test Prep    11. Test of English as a Foreign Language    12. Textbooks for foreign speakers    13. ELT examination practice tests    14. English    15. Study Aids / TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)    16. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. General    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Reading    5. Research    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    7. English    8. English language: reading skills    9. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (2)

Best current reference on Arabic
In 39 crisp chapters covering more than 700 pages Ryding organizes both the grand lines and essential details of Arabic language structure and grammar. This is a highly readable, easily searched linguistic reference. The index really does the job and her list of references alone is a significant academic contribution. Finally, this gem will make life easier for both students of Arabic and researchers. All my thumbs are up for this once in a lifetime linguistic treasure.

breath-taking
after experimenting with a lot of arabic grammar books I have finally met the most engaging one.I can not imagine the right words to give sufficient definition of the capabilities of this breath-taking book.every sentence is supplied with full transliteration.extensive,exhausive but not exhaushing.it is a must to buy book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabic    2. Arabic language    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Arabian peninsula    9. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / General    11. Saudi Arabia   

Reviews (21)

Longmann Course for TOEFL
An excellent book to pass TOEFL. Use the CD and pay attention to all the exercises and you will not have any problem in taking real TOEFL test.

don't buy it
It's a waste of money and time. You can only use the reading section of the book.When you get the book , for example, for listening part you just have questions ,but you don't have the cd for the conversations. To use the other sections you need another audio series which are NOT in the market. Also the audio series you need is NOT mentioned buy the publisher. They give a cd with the book but it doesn't match with the book, it's totally different. I tied to contact with the publisher but they didn't answer my e-mail, they don't seem responsible. As a result, if you don't want to waste your money don't buy this book.

This Book Needs A Warning Label
Although the Longman iBT TOEFL preparation book is generally well done, its main feature is one of the most deceptive sales practices I have ever seen in a textbook.
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Subjects:  1. English language    2. Examinations    3. General    4. Study Aids    5. Study Guides    6. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)    7. Test Prep    8. Test of English as a foreign language    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. English    11. English Language Teaching (ELT)    12. Study Aids / TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)    13. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)   

Reviews (21)

Understanding and Using English Grammar (Third Edition)
I have used this outstanding book with international students for several years, but it would be helpful if the Answer Key were available from Amazon.

Grammar is difficult
With this book is it possible to learn the english grammar.
Clear and easily understandable
The geniuses that controlled my education decided that I should skip fourth grade reading because they caught me reading Mark Twain in third grade. I can't imagine what in the WORLD they were thinking, as I came to learn years later that in fourth grade reading they taught - you guessed it - grammar! And boy, did I suffer. My written grammar was absolutely horrendous for years, and even though I continued to be placed in advanced or honors English classes throughout high school, whenever my papers were returned to me the "concept" side came back with an A, and the "grammar" side came back with a D or an F.Read more

Subjects:  1. English as a Second Language    2. English language    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Grammar    5. Language    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Linguistics    8. Problems, exercises, etc    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. ELT grammars & grammar practice    11. English    12. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language   

Reviews (38)

Superb content, poor presentation
I read the Pyramid Principle in 1995 and dutifully trained myself to use it, with a little help from a class with Ms. Minto.
They should pipe this into a hospital room to save on anesthesia
It is VERY slow going, but you *do* get the impression that this is an important skill to have. The tips are good, and the examples are easy to comprehend. I dont think they should wait until you're in business to learn this. They should teach the Principle in highschool!... if you could stay awake long enough to learn it.

You Must Practice What You Read
I purchased this book primarily because it was referenced by several authors of other Mckinsey books that I've read. I was taken aback by the price of the book but I'm of the school of thought that great ideas need not come in large packages. As like many of the other reviewers, I found this book a tough read and had to break it down into smaller bite size readings. What I did that help me tremedously was build a Pyramid chart capturing the SCQ ---Answer using sticky notes. Once built, I was able to easily see the ideas she was presenting and was able to clarify my thinking and writing substantially.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Writing    3. Business/Economics    4. Decision Making & Problem Solving    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Rhetoric    7. Writing Skills   

Reviews (2)

Everything I needed for the CTEL
This text admirably addresses the CTEL exam.Pop for the third edition; it's worth it.And if it were up to me, this book's sections on immigration law, history, and diversity would be required reading for any educator.

A Great Resource Book
I purchased this book for a college class and it was mostly review from other classes. However, I found the book easy to read and very informative.This single book covered about 4 or 5 other books from different courses.If you are a beginning teacher that wants to be able to teach to all of your students, than this book is a must.This great book covers SDAIE teaching and just other great concepts.If you have never taken a multilinguial course than this is money well spent.If you have had a number of those types of classes, than I would look for a book more catered to what you need.This is book is a great introductory book.Most students that I had in class kept the book as reference material and that says a lot because we use book money to live on until finicial aide comes in, LOL. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bilingual Education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. General    5. ELT: teaching theory & methods    6. Education / Bilingual Education    7. Industrial or vocational training   

Reviews (23)

The Ultimate Dictionary
I have had other dictionaries, however for getting to the grass roots meaning of a particular word, this is the dictionary to have on the bookshelf. It settles all disputes over the correct meaning of words.The CD Rom is excellent as I have it loaded in both my home computer and work laptop.

Best dictionary for the non-fanatic
I did a fair bit of internet research reading to try to determine what the best dictionary was in the $100-$150 range.For the non-fanatic, this 2-volume set covers pretty much everything you need.If you are a word fanatic, then drop $1000 on the 20-volume OED.The layout of the Shorter OED (think "unabridged") is superb, and the entries are up-to-date, unlike the "new" editions of some competing dictionaries.You can't go wrong with this purchase.

Search no more for the perfect dictionary!
Although it arrives in two volumes, it is nonetheless, a near definitive guide for all words English. If you suspect the fellow Scrabble players of cheating, this will be your source. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. English Language Dictionaries    4. English language    5. General    6. Reference    7. English    8. Reference / General    9. Reference | English Dictionaries   

Reviews (4)

Signing Naturally 2
Signing Naturally are very good textbooks for the beginner and intermediate sign language students. The demo signing is a little fast for someone that is still learning, but the speed can be slowed down if you have a DVD player with that capacity. I am a student at college learning sign by using these textbooks.These are truly a must if you're dedicated to learning sign language and something about the deaf culture.

Not the greatest book
I love the video and the exercises that go along with the video are wonderful. But the book on the other hand is poorly written. Several signs are wrong or outdated. Many signs are drawn in such a way that it could be confused with other signs. Since there are no labels marking what word the model is signing there is no way to figure out the authors intent.

GREAT!
This book is very nice. I am fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) as of now, but that goal was only reached by taking classes at a local community college. The ASL class used this book and with this book, it was so easy to learn ASL! I truly recommend this book for people who want to learn ASL and use it a lot, or for parents who wish to use it with their toddlers (this is very helpful, my mom did it with me when I was little and it helped me later on). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Sign Language   

Reviews (11)

Pleased with the service
I was pleased with the service and the book.
The best of all reference grammars
This book is undoubtedly the most comprehensive grammar of the English language ever written. It is an absolute 'must have' for any non-native English speaker who wishes to use the language competently. It will even make an excellent textbook for ambitious intermediate and advanced students.

Still Useful, but...
As the title and price suggest, this is a reference grammar of English, not a textbook. It's written for people who already have a grasp of basic grammatical principles. This is the sort of book that you pick up when you want to look up patterns of verb complementation, etc. Only a masochist would try to read it straight through, or to learn grammar from it.Read more

Subjects:  1. English Grammar    2. English as a Second Language    3. English language    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. Grammar    6. ELT grammars & grammar practice    7. English   

Reviews (9)

Fabulous Book but Better with Behind the Wheel English
William Harvey's 'Ingles Para Latinos' is a classic which is loved by Spanish speakers for its ease of use, pronunciation guides and easy to learn practical basics presented in a non threatening and friendly manner.
Ayuda practical para los que quieren aprender Inglés
Soy maestro de Inglés como segunda idioma, y estudiante de otras idiomas.Me considera este libro unos de los mejores que apoya a la gente rapidamente platicar en Inglés.No solamente esto, pero tiene también un libro que funciona al reves; se llama "Spanish for Gringos" que apoya a los gringitos que quieren aprender Español.
ESL Teacher
This book gives my students a wonderfully easy-paced way to learn English. We have had much success with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English as a Second Language    2. English language    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Language    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Linguistics    7. Reading materials    8. Spanish    9. Spanish language    10. Textbooks for foreign speakers    11. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language   

Reviews (8)

Mostly a Compilation that is a Savage Plunder to Parents' Pockets
New editions of this book continue being published to have teachers require "the new edition" from students. This way the publisher and the compilers keep on plundering unashamedly the parents' pockets. Interestingly, to compile comes from the latin "compilare", which means to plunder. Compilation as it is, plus "obvious" literary theory, this book should cost no more than its weight in paper plus a few dollars. The obvious recommendation to the student is: when completed the course sell this "brick" before a new edition appears, and buy and read the full versions of the classics (Sophocles, Shakespeare, Lord Tennyson, Ibsen, Chekhov, Faulkner, Melville, Browning, J. Keats, Donne, Wordsworth, W. B. Yeats, ...); disregard all the remaining mediocre authors this book includes. Regarding Sophocles, Oedipux Rex, the translation the compilers have chosen is by Duddley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Fitts was playwriter, and Fitzgerald, academic as he was and popularly known for his translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey, was never a "translator" but a "paraphraser". Read the translations by Lattimore for a "taste" of the originals, instead. Regarding "obvious" literary theory" a few sentences choosen at random from the 9th edition will suffice: Drama "normally presents its action (a) through actors, (b) on stage, and (c) before and audience" (pp.1028).
i really like this book
i originally got this book because I needed it for a class. In the end I used it for much longer. Its really good and I recommend it

One of the best English textbooks
I am currently using this textbook in my AP English Literature class and this is one of the best English text books that I have used so far.
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Subjects:  1. Collections    2. General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Literature    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. English literature: texts    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / General   

Subjects:  1. Developmental - Child    2. Education    3. Infants & Toddlers - General    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Language acquisition    6. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    7. Linguistics    8. Literacy    9. Preschool & Kindergarten    10. Psychology    11. Child care & upbringing    12. Reading skills   

Reviews (2)

Good book to strengthen writing skills for students
I actually purchased this book becuase it helped give me some inspiration for addtional exercises for my ESL students because I thought that some of the material in the text we were using was not covered effectively.I really like this book, and can be used for high level ESL or native English writing.Easy to follow, well-ordered, and overall a good writing skills text.

A very useful text
We use Susan Fawcett's book 'Evergreen' in writing courses at the community college where I work, as well as in our Tutoring Center (we also use her book 'Grassroots', which is a good companion at the more basic level).Whereas 'Grassroots' is for those who need help writing sentences and with more basic grammar concepts, the 'Evergreen' book is for those who have mastered that level of writing, and are ready to develop more fully structured themes and essays.
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Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. General    3. Grammar    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Reading Skills   

Reviews (4)

The Best Assessment Book I've Seen
I bought this for an ESL Assessment class at the graduate level. I also teach ESL at a university, and this book comes in very handy, both in theory and in practice. I especially like the rubrics you give to students so they can assess their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, when working together in groups, students fill out a form after their work is done, stating how well they listened, asked for clarification, or offered/asked for opinions. I continue to use this book long after I've taken the class, and I believe this is the best assessment book out there. Don't waste your time (or money) on books like "ESL Assessment: On the Yellow Big Road to the Withered of Oz" (or whatever the title of that book is!)
Excellent Resource
I have just completed a graduate course in Assessment for teachers of ELLs.Almost all of the students in this class, including me, found this book to be a very valuable resource.Some of the information is redundant, but for a teacher looking for ideas on how to construct an authentic assessment of student work (reading, writing, speaking or listening) it is full of great insights and models that can be copied from the book or revised for individual use.

Fantastic text for ESL/TESOL course on Assessment
This book is incredibly helpful for ESL / TESL / ESOL / TESOL teachers and home schoolers as well. It was a textbook in a required Assessment course, but it is so helpful and practical that it will be very useful even if you're not taking a formal course. It presents detailed advice and examples for portfolio assessment, as well as the largest assortment of rubrics that I have seen anywhere. When you use Authentic Assessment to balance your Standardized Tests, you get a more balanced picture of the student's strengths and weaknesses, so you can tailor your instruction to the need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Evaluation    3. Language    4. Language Experience Approach    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    6. Language teaching & learning material & coursework