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Chinese (Mandarin) I

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Chinese (Mandarin) I Deluxe

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Chinese (Mandarin) I Deluxe

Author Company: Pimsleur

Chinese (Mandarin) I Deluxe 5 stars (One of the most remarkable learning experiences in my life) - The CDs

File Size: 125.00 kB
OS: Windows 98 / NT / 2000 / ME / XP / VISTA
License: Audio CD - Time Limit, free to try, 234.60 to buy.

Software Developed by Pimsleur

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Chinese (Mandarin) I Deluxe - 5 stars (One of the most remarkable learning

Internet and Computer Activity Monitoring 5.1

Chinese (Mandarin) I review:5 stars (One of the most remarkable learning experiences in my life) - The CDs will make you think about all the time you wasted in ineffective foreign language classes (previously, I thought I had no aptitude for languages).

These CDs do what they say: 1) you learn grammar implicitly. It's remarkable - I can say a new sentence in the correct word order without consciously thinking what the word order should be(it justs sounds right). 2) rather than translating from English, you learn to "think" Mandarin. For example, rather than learning to count 1, 2, 3...., you learn to order 2 beers, then 8 o'clock, 3 o'clock. You learn to know the numbers rather than trying to count in your head.

Despite my limited vocabulary, while in China, I was able to have passable conversations with complete strangers. It's hard to emphasize how much fun this was. Some asked if I taught Chinese in the US and most assumed I had much more language skill than I actually do. Both in the US and China, most say "you have a good accent." To compare, with 6 months of Pimsleur, I was able to develop more language skills than I ever received from 6 yrs of High school & College German (I don't think I ever had a conversation in German).

With other language tapes, I found the need to constantly rewind. Pimsleur's approach eliminates the need for this. Also, in contrast to the many inaccurate Mandarin phrasebooks, Pimsleur's CDs are accurate in translating both the flavor & meaning of words.

One seeming downside to Mandarin I is its apparent overemphasis on numbers. However, the reason for this emphasis becomes apparent when you start Mandarin II. In addition to the general utility of numbers, Mandarin II shows that months, days of the week, and many individual words are based on numbers. Hence, this emphasis is justified.

Downsides: 1. While the CDs are effective in teaching the language, a written booklet would be extremely valuable as a later reference. Because there is nothing in writing, if you forget how to say something you have to search thru the CDs to find where the phrase was spoken (there is no table of contents). Also, a phrasebook would be helpful to carry when in-country.
2. Very few food items are discussed. Since restaurant visits are common for both tourists and business men (and a place to practice in the US) expanded coverage of handling restaurant situations would be very valuable.
3. I can speak much better than I can comprehend. Rather than having the last CD give lessons in English, extended conversations in Mandarin would be much more useful.

I'm well into Mandarin II and the CDs remain very engaging. I'm guessing that when I finish the 3rd set I'll be lamenting the lack of a Mandarin 4. Considering the growing importance of Mandarin, I hope Pimsleur develops #4. 4 stars (Incredible language learning tool) - I have only been using the Pimsleur audio CDs for a few weeks now but have already been impressed by the program. Whereas some language learning software seems to have a shotgun approach for all languages (with their teaching strategy the same for every single one), the Pimsleur approach focuses on the nuances of Mandarin.

After participating in the lessons I have a good foundation for pronunciation and intonation. The speakers on the CDs speak perfect Mandarin (albeit perfect Beijing Mandarin) and following their lead will hopefully give my own Mandarin a ring of authenticity.

The only drawback is that I wish there was an optional booklet to buy with the program. I understand that the Pimsleur approach advocates the immersion method of learning a foreign language, but I would like to see the pinying and even the Chinese characters at the end of each session.

Overall, though, this is well worth the money spent. I plan on buying the II and III lessons down the road.5 stars (Fast, Effective and Engaging) - Once you've tried this excellent system you'll be throwing away all your language learning books. Why? Because books are no way to learn a language and even after one lesson, Pimsleur makes this all too clear. The way to learn is to immerse yourself in listening, speaking and conversation.

I've studied Mandarin before and have laboured over vocabulary lists and learning tools for quite a while. I learnt more using Pimsleur in a week, listening in the car on the way to work than in a couple of months of intense study. But, best of all, using these CD's I've done a lot of listening to native speakers, and I do mean a LOT. This for me is always the tricky bit, listening comprehension, and the problem with classes is that you tend to hear a lot of bad, slow, mispronounced speaking by students rather than being immersed in hearing actual Chinese accents speaking perfectly. Books of course are no help at all with either speaking or hearing.

There is something about the way Pimsleur reminds you about vocab at regular intervals that burns the words into your memory. Words have never stuck for me quite as easily as they do with this system.

This is definitely the best thing for me about Pimsleur - you just get to hear SO much speaking and after a while you begin to understand very rapid native speech.

The other great plus of the system is that it keeps you on track - you really need very little self discipline because the course takes charge of the structure of your study. Perfect, if you're a little scatty organising your time. Basically, just put it on - half an hour every day and you will make progress.

I was already a little familiar with Chinese, so I really only needed to listen to any lesson at the most twice. People totally new to Chinese might want to do some of the lessons 3-4 times - it really doesn't matter, you'll come out with a very clear Beijing accent and it all sinks in in time. You're in good hands.

I'm finding that the vocabularly is sufficient to communicate but most importantly, you can structure fairly complex sentences. The nouns come later. For example, you find out how to say "Would you like some tea now?" You also get the names of a few other drinks - beer, coffee etc The program leaves it up to you to discover the name of every drink you'd like to have at your fingertips - the important thing is you know how to formulate many sentences about food and drink. The nouns just enter your vocabulary organically over time.

I can honestly say that after doing Chinese 1, you'll be in very good shape indeed and you have somewhere to go afterwards - Chinese 2 and 3! Don't worry about Characters for the time being, they can come later. I am now convinced you MUST speak before you read. Learn how to talk first, build your confidence, and there is no better start than this excellently produced series to get you on your way.

This is the Audio CD version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below for around $234.60 USD.

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