Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs

Author - Pimsleur ... [Goo?] [Posters]
Author - Pimsleur Language Programs ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Audio Cassette Book item from Pimsleur was reviewed on 12-Oct-2008.

Search ISBN:0671581880 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs Reference Book. Classifications : General Books on Cassette Audiobooks Formats Custom Stores Specialty Stores Books Chinese Languages Books on Cassette Audiobooks Formats Custom Stores Specialty Stores Books General AAS Languages Book . Click the following link to view the cover of Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs.

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1) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur. I´m currently learning my fifth language (Mandarin Chinese), but my first with the Pimsleur method. Previously I´ve taken academic language courses, worked with a private tutor, and done immersion programs to learn other languages, and none was as effective at getting me quickly speaking and understanding new structures as the Pimsleur series is.

The design of the Pimsleur lessons is fantastic for getting you familiar with speaking and understanding (with a good accent to boot) the language as quickly as possible. Each 30-minute lesson leaves me with many new structures that I actually remember. Unlike traditional lecture or book methods, I actually internalize the language, so that when I hear it, it makes immediate sense to me, without having to "decode" the speaker. And, if I´ve been listening to a lesson recently, I´ve found myself accidentally speaking to folks in Chinese! To me, this is a good indicator that I´m "getting" the language, instead of just remembering book lessons.

The instruction of the tones in these lessons is superb, which is one of the most critical skills for westerners to master when learning an Asian language. The speakers give very clear, understandable guides to pronouncing the tones every time a new word is introduced, and regular reinforcement in every lesson so you don´t forget. The speakers on the CDs are very clear and understandable, but not so stilted that they teach you to talk like a robot. The inflections and normal cadence of the language are excellent.

The language structures presented are indeed simplistic, but to me, that´s what you want at this level. As you progress through the lessons, they become increasingly complex, but always with the repetition and reinforcement that keeps you able to remember the earlier lessons. The lessons get you to mix up structures, so even though you learn a fairly simple structure in one lesson, you are asked later to apply that old structure to new information you are learning. This makes the structures increasingly complex and useful. It also greatly enhances memory and "internalization" of the structures beyond the simple pattern drills or grammar exercises commonly used in other language courses, which can easily become mindless exercises, devoid of the incentive to freely use those structures to communicate.

I´m planning on actually living and working in China in the next year. I imagine there will be a fairly huge chunk of vocabulary I´ll need to learn that is NOT covered in these lessons (details of foods and dishes, every-day items, technical words in my field), but those are words that vary from region to region, and that are anyway specific to my individual situation there. I´m happy to have found a method of learning that enables me to get the universal basics and structure, so that adding and using those new words is easier.

At 30 minutes a day, I don´t think you´ll find a more efficient way to master the basics of Mandarin.¤

2) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur. Recommend Mandarin I, II and III absolutely.

I had always thought Pimsleur was too expensive. I still think it´s expensive, but everything else seems to be a waste of time. If you want to learn to speak Chinese as well and as quickly as possible, use the Pimsleur full audio courses. Your pronunciation will be quite good, and your usage will be natural and idiomatic. You will have one problem: Chinese listeners will think you know more Chinese than you do because you sound so believable. You have to explain to them that once you get outside the material you know, you´re like a new-born babe. (That´s where live tutors and textbooks come in).

I studied several European languages successfully (wihtout Pimsleur) before attempting Chinese. Before finding Pimsleur, I tried two other audio courses with no success. Now I have worked through Pimsleur Mandarin I, II and half of III all in the car. My next language will be learned with Pimsleur, too. I have found no other audio language courses that are satisfactory.

The speakers on the CDs have very standard pronunciation and very pleasant voices. A pleasant voice is very important if you have to listen to if for many hours!¤

3) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur. This is a solid program. After repeated listenings, you will most certainly be able to converse in the language . . . though only at a basic level. My biggest problem with this project is the sound quality. In this age of CDs, why the stubborn allegiance to cassettes? I left cassettes behind ages ago and found the exposure to tape hiss to be unpleasantly retro and interferring. Still, my training got me around Xian and other spots in China with non-English speaking locals. When I finally ran into a bilingual fellow, he commented on my Mandarin: "not bad for a round eyes!"¤

4) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur. I used this course to try to learn mandarin after several (failed) tries with other profucts. This one works very well and you will remember everything. I think it could use a word list though.¤

5) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur. This course works very well! Although you don´t learn very much vocabulary, what you do learn you learn well.I realy wish the comprehensive version was less expensive though. The program leaves you with an excelent accent (or so I´ve been told)¤

6) Audio Cassette Book Chinese (Cantonese): Learn to Speak and Understand Cantonese with Pimsleur Language Programs by Pimsleur.

With Pimsleur Language Programs you don´t just study a language, you learn it -- the same way you mastered English! And because the technique relies on interactive spoken language training, the Pimsleur Language Programs are totally audio -- no book is needed!

The Pimsleur programs provide a method of self-practice with an expert teacher and native speakers in lessons specially designed to work with the way the mind naturally acquires language information. The various components of language -- vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar -- are all learned together without rote memorization and drills. Using a unique method of memory recall developed by renowned linguist, Dr. Paul Pimsleur, the programs teach listeners to combine words and phrases to express themselves the way native speakers do. By listening and responding to thirty minute recorded lessons, students easily and effectively achieve spoken proficiency.

No other language program or school is as quick, convenient, and effective as the Pimsleur Language Programs.

The Comprehensive Program is the ultimate in spoken language learning. For those who want to become proficient in the language of their choice, the Comprehensive programs go beyond the Basic Programs to offer spoken-language fluency. Using the same simple method of interactive self-practice with native speakers, these comprehensive programs provide a complete language learning course. The Comprehensive Program is available in a wide variety of languages and runs through three levels (thirty lessons each) in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. At the end of a full Comprehensive Program listeners will be conducting complete conversations and be well on their way to mastering the language. The Comprehensive Programs are all available on cassettes and are also on CD in the six languages in which we offer the Basic Program on CD.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 9-Nov-2008, 06715818809780671581886, 800-FPB-8

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