Sing 'N Learn Vietnamese

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy fingernails scraping across a chalkboard...
Review: ...then I recommend "Sing 'N Learn Vietnamese". The songs contained herein are renditions of popular Vietnamese children's songs. WARNING: Most of the words sung throughout are inaudible. While the accompanying workbook aids in comprehension, it isn't enough to get you through the annoying vocals of Sing N Learn Vietnamese.

In fact most of the songs contain screeching, blood-curdling vocals accompanied by low fidelity musical arrangements making listening to the songs almost unbearable. (My kids asked me to turn it off after two songs). One cause (maybe): The songs sound if the only instruments being played are extremely primitive (e.g., pots and pans, washboards, and the like) and the vocal quality is poor and grating at best. There are street vendors who can carry a better tune.

As a language instructor, I agree with the attempts that this series makes, but it is the execution that ultimately weakens this product. To be sure, there are much, much better ways to learn Vietnamese. I would recommend this title only as a last resort and after you've thoroughly exhausted traditional ways to learn Vietnamese.

Rating:
Summary: Authentic
Review: It was very easy to sing along for my children and all the words in the book matched the recording. My Vietnamese friends also loved the songs. The singing voice was pleasant and clear and the music is easy to listen to. We love singing Kia con Buom Vang (Yellow Butterfly). We listen to it over and over again. Illustrations are lovely and authentic.

Rating:
Summary: An Ok Book and Tape...
Review: On one side of the casette tape Vietnamese and the other side, just music.

The book that comes with the casette, 70 percent correctly matches the written words, of the words on the tape itself.

On the very back of the book, it list's the vietnamese ABC's, and writting marks of the vietnamese words.

2 stars from me...

Rating:
Summary: Very cute
Review: We have adopted a Vietnamese child and are exposing him to the language. At the suggestion of a Vietnamese friend we bought the Sing and Learn Vietnamese book and CD. Our son loves the vocals and the music. My Vietnamese friend said the singer is very popular in the Vietnamese community.