Customer Reviews

How To Learn Any Language: Quickly, Easily, Inexpensively, Enjoyably and on Your Own

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book on the strength of recommendations on several language-learning websites and afterwards I was very glad that I'd read it within the first few weeks of starting to learn another language. I'm sure that by employing the methods given here I've managed to adopt a more intelligent approach to my language studies that's made the best use of my available time.
Although a lot of the book consists of anecdotes and other padding, the material relating to studying and learning a language is all helpful, especially to someone learning a new language for the first time. A lot of material is the sort of thing that seems obvious after you've been told, while other material is the same as the advice given in more general guides to self-study. That said it's all useful and it doesn't hurt to be reminded about good study habits.

This book contains some very useful tips on how to learn a foreign language. Unfortunately these only take up about 2 pages. The rest is filled with stories about the authors experiences learning languages. Some reviewers like this but I just found them very tiresome.

This isn't a bad book but don't expect it to totally transform the way you learn.

I bought this book when I first began to think I MIGHT want to learn another language. Just reading this book was enough to convince me. I would recommend this book not only to someone who wants to learn a language and wants to learn an easy, fast, fun, way to do it; but to any language lover. Mr. Farber's love of language comes out loud and clear in this book, illustrated by his fun, witty stories about his first forays into the world of foreign languages. This book kept me in stitches, while also teaching me the fundamentals of a GREAT system for learning ANY language. In the few years since I first read it, I have read and reread it, for pleasure and for reference, and I am now proficient in three languages-- and can converse at least brokenly in at least three others. And I haven't spent as much time as I would LIKE to spend on it! Read this book, you won't regret it.

I read this book when I was 13, and it inspired me to learn a lot of languages. It includes everything you need: From how to approach someone with whom you want to converse in your langauge, to do's and don't's for learning; from what materials you'll need for efficient learning, to how to make use of every spare second you have for memorizing vocabulary. And all of this information is backed-up with the experience of 46 years of language learning. Barry Farber begins with a page-turning account of how he came about learning his 25 languages, and ends with "reviews" on popular languages to learn. Just the act of reading this book will make you want to learn languages!

I saw this book mentioned on a fellow linguist's website and was delighted to get a 2nd hand copy here on Amazon. I used to think that I should limit the amount of languages I try to learn and that I was never going to be much good a remembering vocabulary. Now I think quite differently and, although I am not using Farber's method entirely, he has given me some good ideas, some entertaining thoughts and real encouragement to work towards my goal of being a polyglot. If he can learn 25 languages, I don't see why I can't!

I'm not sure that his entire method will suit all language learners, although there certainly is something in there for everyone. For instance, I don't think most people would be motivated enough to learn almost entirely independently of a structured course, but there are some great suggestions for expanding your language ability. I think most learners would prefer to work through a course book, but that doesn't mean that one can't use many of his ideas.

I enjoyed his humourous style and I just wish he would bring out an up-dated version, this one is now 15 years old!!

due to the mixed reviews of this book, i got myself a cheap second hand copy. i was pleasantly surprised by the content. ok, there is a lot of chit chat and loads of anecdotes, like most books aimed at the US market. but its easy to skip these bits if you want to cut to the chase. his story is interesting, tho, and his enthusiam is infectious, so come back to it later!

the book suggests a multi-activity way of learning your target language instead of ploughing through your language textbook from beginning to end. he suggests use of flashcards, kids books, magazines, etc, even music in your target language. the book seems to be written pre-internet. but this was a bonus as i found myself being able to think of extra ways to incorporate fun study; for example, i discovered you can study virtual flashcards online, a store online that sells audio recordings of my language for listening practice. i'm even studying recipes in my language now!

i'd recommend this if your finding your language course book a bit dry and need a boot up the behind to feel motivated and positive again. i'm certainly feeling a lot more excited about my own course book, now i know its just one tool of many i can use to becoming fluent in my target language.

This book, written by Barry Farber, is a must have. Instead of wasting time with following the routines prescribed in language packs, you can follow the procedure recommended by Barry Farber, a man who can get around comfortably in around 25 languages. He's perfected this technique throughout the course of his language learning life and even says that if he could start all over again, he'd do this the whole way through as it would have saved a lot of his time. Highly recommended.

Very good. The techniques outlined should enthuse jaded language students. His obvious enthusiasm for language-learning is inspiring and should stop boredom setting in. I'm just amazed at how bad language tuition was when I was young - we would be confronted with loads of verb tables within hours of starting - if the teachers wanted to put us off, then they could hardly have done more, and in many cases they succeeded. Farber's multi-track approach is engaging. It has encouraged me to restart my language learning. Hopefully I can now see a way of succeeding.

If nothing more, with an open mind this book should prove an interesting read for those with only the slightest interest ranging to the avid language enthusiast.
My personal view of this publication is as part language learning guide, and part biography. The author clearly has a life-long love of learning languages and Mr. Farber's personal experiences and anecdotes often times make for very interesting reading.
I personally find this motivating and it helped me to envision that I will eventually use the languages I learn whilst travelling in other countries and in doing so have much fun and make new friends and acquaintances in the process.
I'm a great believer in the principle that if out of 100% of a book you can get a 5% benefit from something you did not previously know then that makes reading it all the more worthwhile. Thus most people should be able to read this book and take something useful from it in becoming a more astute linguist. The only reason I did not give this a five out of five is because I feel that the book could use updating slightly.

This is one of the first books I read before trying to learn Russian. While a linguist said some of the ideas in it were ridiculous, using them really helped me a lot.

Includes sections on what kind of resources to get (books, cassettes, videos, dictionaries, grammar...) and how to remember words. I've got a pathetic memory, so that was a lot of help.