What do you think about the Pimsleur method of learning a language?
960075
I don't like it much. Yes, you learn very well (if you study enough) the sentences give, but their range is very limited. I have the Norwegian one. If I compare it to the "Teach yourself" series, it is not good. the later is better. At least for Norwegian.\nI don't think it is worth the price.\nIf you are already using Pimsleur, maybe you'll find it useful to read along what they say.
1126162
Teach English first and foremost. Then expose your child to Pimsleur's learn and speak audio series (teaches an English speaking person a different language including Spanish, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, French, and Italian). Even as an adult, I've learned a bit from these language audio-books.
548714
I teach Chinese (dreams_to_print@yahoo.com).  Become my penpal.  Polyglot.com offers native penpals.  Get CDs to hear the pronunciation; mimic.  Pimsleur is popular.  Transparent Language is better.  The United States Armed Forces Institute course is the most comprehensive and the most expensive.\n\nChinese is actually very easy.  It has no verb conjugations, no tenses, no noun declensions, no prepostions.  Words are short, usually one or two syllables.
74732
Having students learn two languages is great, no matter what the second language is - I'm all for it. Hell, if you can get them trilingual, do it.\n\nEvery language that someone can converse in opens the doors to perhaps a job that would have never been possible, or come in handy in a certain situation.\n\nMy sister is quadrilingual, I'm trilingual. One of my proudest moments of hers was when she was when she called Cuba and conversed in Spanish, tracking down my aunt who was vacationing there in order to tell her that her father passed away. If it wasn't for my sister and the Spanish she new, my aunt could have missed the funeral.\n\nOn another note though, the best time to make someone learn a language is when they're young. If the parents know two or more languages, they should speak with their children in all languages. Some folks are concerned the child will be mixed up, but take it from someone raised in more than one language - it worked out just fine.\n\nI am happy to this very day I was raised to be trilingual, allowing me to get buy easy in a lot of places in the world, and being able to talk to people and relatives that I otherwise would have been unable to.
1127923
Yes, when I was younger I participated in a regional spelling bee.  I lost horribly, but it was fun.  It is actually a pretty high stress thing if you let it be.  There is a lot of random crap to remember.  Words of the English language you didn't know existed and that nobody uses.  The English language is very complicated as far as phoenetics goes.  You don't realize that to its fullest extent until you start trying to memorize obscure words.  I found it enjoyable.
768051
Hi, I'm not sure at which stage of your education you are but I learnt that I was dyslexic at the age of around 14 and for me it was the ticket to the extra benefits that were essential to getting me to where I am now (Just finished my Masters Degree and qualified with distinction!). I have always been given around 25% extra time from the exam board in order to finish exams in my own time. In addition, there has always been extra support available for me throughout my studies in helping me to plan my work and my time much better than I could have done on my own. And, yes, there is the free computer! Above all this though is the confidence it gives me to never get too hung up about the things I find particularly difficult. Things that I struggle with are simply a quirk of Dyslexia and something that I can work around, rather than a result of me being "thick" or "dumb" (labels that I would have seen as a barrier to success).  I've never made a big deal of my Dyslexia and have never felt that it sets me apart from my friends in any way at all but if I do need a bit of extra help in my work, I'm not afraid to seek it out. I could write all evening as I've learnt a lot about the way I work through my being Dyslexic and really do see the "diagnosis" as an incredibly positive thing. Don't worry about the test itself either, it's just a load of silly games with words and pictures, some of it is quite fun really.
608454
Not particularly well.\n\nWhen I was in school, we were taught phonics, sentence structure, etc.  The current way of teaching is called whole language learning.  They throw out the basics and try to teach kids by making them read then using what they read to teach them about the language.\n\nIt's not working.  You can't build a structure without a firm foundation and the schools are trying to hang diplomas on walls that are barely upright because they have no base.
921848
I've tried the 30 day trial. For people who learn visually it is good, at least to start with. I have trouble imagining that it would be quick to become fluent with their methods.\n\nThere are debates in the linguistic community whether it's better to use a completely "natural" method, meaning the way kids learn their first language, or better to use a common language to explain the complexities of the language you are learning.\n\nI personally think that the Rosetta "natural" method is a good way to start learning vocabulary, then gradually introduce other activities using a common language.\n\nI've tried several different types of learning materials.  I think learning should be fun.  The learning tool I like best is the "Muzzy in Gandoland" cartoon course by the BBC.  (no, I gain nothing from recommending this product).  It's more expensive, but I think it's worth it.\n\nMy 2 cents.
795580
I sort of started on both at the same time.I had a CD of words and such,but I also started memorizing the letters too.I know some words,and I like to practice by reading different things I find like food boxes,TV shows and such.It's a very lovely language in writtien form.I am enjoying learning it.\n\nEveryone is different.Listen to the native speaker's answers.I just started off on my own.Start with sounds of letters,then go to numbers,then words.
788499
Immersion in the language, living in another culture is, hands-down, the best way.  It's also the most disruptive to your life, and few can do it.\n\nIf you're learning on your own, some general tips for learning languages:\n\n1. Look at people's reviews on Amazon to determine what are some of the best courses.\n\n2. Go to the library and check out different types of courses, and see what works for you best.\n\n3. Put aside 30 - 60 minutes per day and study some each day.\n\n4. If you get discouraged, take a couple of days off, but set your next time to study and stick to it. If you go too long (say a week) between study sessions, you'll start forgetting.\n\n5. Go into the experience realizing that you'll make lots of mistakes, don't worry about them and keep going.\n\n6. Try to find someone better than you in the language to speak with. You can't learn to speak a language without speaking it. If you're trying to learn with someone else who is also learning, you'll lead each other into learning errors.
504720
This is a test to see how many people can figure out what I am saying. A lot of people are really hung up on proper spelling. But the human mind can figure it out, as in the example I'm giving you now. \nIt is said that, as long as you have the first and last letter in the proper place that your mind will be able to figure it out.\nWhat do you think??
569492
They actually offer classes for this - if you were that interested in learning to speed-read. It primarily teaches you to scheme over the text, inputting in the little gaps here and there, (which some say can be a dangerous setup for misreading information, as many who speed-read do). Overall though, it is still a somewhat useful skill to have - or at best interesting one.
741795
Between the two of them, I would choose the interactive software.  Most of your interative software includes pictures (which are very helpful) and real life situatiions and provided extra vocabulary .  Most of these programs also include progress quizzes.  Most of these software programs also put the language in a context that you can understand.  The few audio programs I've listened to give you a phrase to listen translate and repeat.  If you are building towards fluency, this is not the way to go.  \nThere's no harm in listening to an audio cd (it gives you a model of the language being spoken), but I wouldn't rely on it solely.\nGood Luck on your language learning!
1081197
I would recomment the Pimsleur CDs to get started.  \n\nhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/104-5593767-3653511?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=pimsleur+russian&Go.x=14&Go.y=14
933797
It depends a lot on the individual learner, and what exactly they have to remember about the letters and/or the numbers. Everyone has learning preferences - things that help that individual learn/remember things better - and each person is unique. After over 15 years of teaching, I've yet to find that there's anything that's easier or harder for everyone --- it always depends on the individual learner.
621081
Learning something this way is really really hard.  The problem with learning a language this way, is that you will memorize the phrases that the tape repeats but you still won't understand the meanings/reason behind the phrases.  This method might work for memorizing the names of the state capitals (for example), but won't help you learn Spanish.\n\nAnyone interested in literature, read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (has strong emphasis on this subject)
801147
I always thought it was rather easy.  Once you get the naming down, which is probably the most overwhelming part...it's like learning a new language, then it flows rather well.  There's a system, so it's not all random nonsense.