Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pimlseur meets cafe del mar for the casual student., 4 Jun 2006
Firstly, what is it? Well, think of some fairly pleasant chill out electronic music - cafe del mar etc. On top of this the two "presenters" repeat basic French phrases rhythically. The phrases are broken down into component parts like in the Pimsleur courses. All in all, very easy to listen to.
Secondly, does it work? Well, I think it's a qualified yes. It doesn't stick in the mind in the way I was hoping - it's not like a tv jingle that you can't get out of your head. However, there's no doubt that you will pick up bits and pieces, and the big advantage is that because it's so easy to listen to, you'll probably listen to it more than you would otherwise.
I've yet to come across anything that's as effective as the Michel Thomas 8 disc course, which is brilliant. However, this is cheaper and demands less effort. I plan to listen in the gym, walking the dog etc - ie at times when I can't concentrate or can't repeat things out line.
On balance, worth the money, easy listening, but unlikely to give you enough of the language for you to get by on a typical summer holiday.
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56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rapid French - subliminal learning that works., 14 Mar 2006
By A Customer
We have lived in France for ten years and have done numerous courses to improve our French. Given the complexity of French grammar and the difficulties with pronunciation it has been a daunting task. Recently we were joined by one of our daughters who plans to settle and work here, so I was browsing on the net for a French course that would be simple and effective for her.
The earworms Rapid French appealed to me as a TEFL trainer, with the idea of the "jingle" that you can't get out of your head.
It has turned out to be an excellent system with rhythm, music and phrases that are repeated clearly and more importantly with the accent and stress of a native French speaker.
It makes much more sense to learn complete phrases for any given situation, rather than lists of verbs and vocab. The added bonus is that it is a pleasure to listen to and it really does stick in one's memory. And if that isn't enough, it is also very reasonably priced!
We are well pleased and just hope we can find Volume 2.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The easy & enjoyable way to learn a language for holiday use, 13 Jul 2008
As someone who has studied languages to degree level and also taught foreign languages in secondary school, it would be fair to say that I am generally sceptical of DIY langauage teaching CDs - and often with good cause. However, Earworms CDs are an absolutely invaluable learning resource. They will equip you, with minimal effort on your part, with a basic understanding of the language building blocks - which coupled with vocab covering the usual holiday scenarios, such as ordering drinks, food, buying things, counting, etc, will enable you to begin to start to extrapolate from what you have heard on the CD and, with the help of a dictionary, build your own sentences to meet your specific needs. Some grammar is explained - just enough to help with exactly what I've just said above - but not too much to be overwhelming.
I would thoroughly recommend these CDs to anyone who wants just 'holiday' language, or to anyone who is wishing to study the language in greater depth but would like a gentle introduction first.
The learning process is stress-free and fun. These CDs are so easy to listen to, as the background tracks are non-intrusive, rhythmical, and really do help to nudge the words and phrases into your memory. Everything is repeated several times, with one presenter speaking English and the other saying the same things in the target language. Everything is delivered in time to the music, which aids recollection later, there is good use of humour now and then, and all phrases are broken down so that you can see exactly how they have been made up. The emphasis is on repetition, so there is no feeling that things are moving too quickly. The idea is that you just relax, rather than straining to follow a fast-moving coaching CD. It really does work - once you have listed to the CD a few times, you will find you are remembering whole phrases.
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