French I - 2nd Rev. Ed.: Learn to Speak and Understand French with Pimsleur Language Programs (Comprehensive) 
asked by osx on November 27, 2006 4:12 AM
Comprehensive French I includes 30 lessons of essential grammar and vocabulary -- 16 hours of real-life spoken practice sessions -- plus an introduction to reading.
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Do not buy this language CD. I was really disappointed with this product. It promised 16 new CDs for French I, but the first 8 CDs were exact repeats of the Pimsleur Instant Conversation CD's that I already had (which cost $50.00). So After paying $271.00 for French I, I expected new lessons not repeated lessons from Instant Conversation.
I had to return the product to Amazon and am still waiting for my refund (minus the shipping costs which Amazon does not refund.) I will not be buying another Pimsleur language tape, this is such a rip.
I had to return the product to Amazon and am still waiting for my refund (minus the shipping costs which Amazon does not refund.) I will not be buying another Pimsleur language tape, this is such a rip.
reviewed by samoan on November 27, 2006 12:04 PM
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A couple of months ago I bought the Rosetta Stone program. I love it, and it's helped me immensely. However, after hearing a lot of hype about Pimsleur, i decided to try it out. And I love this as well.
What I like about Rosetta Stone is that it gives you an overall education of the language - reading, writing, speaking, understanding etc. However, while it gives you a good understanding of the language, it doesn't teach you everyday speech.
What I like about Pimsleur is that it does give you everyday speech and it helps with pronounciation. What I don't like is that it doesn't teach you to read or write. You can understand and speak it, but that's where it ends. Now, especially with a language like French, it's hard to just hear a sentance and know which word is which, and which sounds belong to it. I don't know about other people, but I like to imagine the word. And I like to know the word, not just the sounds.
As you can see, both have their pros and cons. But one's pros is the others cons and vice versa. You won't ever find one perfect program, but these two together come pretty close.
By using the one I understand sentance structure, grammar, reading and writing. And the other takes off from there, giving me practical usage and pronounciation.
If you just want to be able to speak and understand the language, then this is perfect for you. If you want more, I suggest you try both of these together.
What I like about Rosetta Stone is that it gives you an overall education of the language - reading, writing, speaking, understanding etc. However, while it gives you a good understanding of the language, it doesn't teach you everyday speech.
What I like about Pimsleur is that it does give you everyday speech and it helps with pronounciation. What I don't like is that it doesn't teach you to read or write. You can understand and speak it, but that's where it ends. Now, especially with a language like French, it's hard to just hear a sentance and know which word is which, and which sounds belong to it. I don't know about other people, but I like to imagine the word. And I like to know the word, not just the sounds.
As you can see, both have their pros and cons. But one's pros is the others cons and vice versa. You won't ever find one perfect program, but these two together come pretty close.
By using the one I understand sentance structure, grammar, reading and writing. And the other takes off from there, giving me practical usage and pronounciation.
If you just want to be able to speak and understand the language, then this is perfect for you. If you want more, I suggest you try both of these together.
reviewed by faithfulone on November 28, 2006 6:40 PM
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If you are looking into learning a foreign language, any foreign language...the first recommendation from the Internet or friends is usually Pimsleur.
There is no doubt that the Pimsleur method has its advantages. You will learn to communicate your wants and needs with this course. But the problem is it is largely by rote. For the high price tag, this is a major drawback.
For instance... they will tell you "Je voudrais le faire" (note its more or less up to you to figure out the spellings) which means "I would like to do it". However they never properly break the sentences they teach you into its components parts. For instance "-ais" at the end of a word generally means the word is past tense, e.g Avoir means "To have" but "Avais" means "Had". THEY NEVER TELL YOU THIS, simply expecting you to pick it up by rote. To complicate matters greatly... when you say "I had" it is "Je avais" but "You have" (note its present tense) it is "Vous avez" You would notice that "Avais" and "Avez" have the SAME SOUND IN FRENCH. As this is an all audio course and they dont point these things out, one has to figure it out by oneself. THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC IN THIS PIMSLEUR COURSE.
Of course one can memorize a LOT by rote. But the questions and nagging doubts and lack of clarification builds up for people who actually want to learn the French Language, not simply how to interact in preset situations.
Dont waste your hard earned money here. It may be alright as a secondary source of learning if you can spare the cash. But by far, I believe Michel Thomas Basic and Advanced French courses can teach you french better. And in a way you will understand and apply it by yourself - flexibly.
There is no doubt that the Pimsleur method has its advantages. You will learn to communicate your wants and needs with this course. But the problem is it is largely by rote. For the high price tag, this is a major drawback.
For instance... they will tell you "Je voudrais le faire" (note its more or less up to you to figure out the spellings) which means "I would like to do it". However they never properly break the sentences they teach you into its components parts. For instance "-ais" at the end of a word generally means the word is past tense, e.g Avoir means "To have" but "Avais" means "Had". THEY NEVER TELL YOU THIS, simply expecting you to pick it up by rote. To complicate matters greatly... when you say "I had" it is "Je avais" but "You have" (note its present tense) it is "Vous avez" You would notice that "Avais" and "Avez" have the SAME SOUND IN FRENCH. As this is an all audio course and they dont point these things out, one has to figure it out by oneself. THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC IN THIS PIMSLEUR COURSE.
Of course one can memorize a LOT by rote. But the questions and nagging doubts and lack of clarification builds up for people who actually want to learn the French Language, not simply how to interact in preset situations.
Dont waste your hard earned money here. It may be alright as a secondary source of learning if you can spare the cash. But by far, I believe Michel Thomas Basic and Advanced French courses can teach you french better. And in a way you will understand and apply it by yourself - flexibly.
reviewed by jan1975 on November 29, 2006 6:01 AM
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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.
reviewed by miceandmen on November 29, 2006 5:30 PM