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Arabic/English: Level 1: VocabuLearn: Original Format

Arabic/English: Level 1: VocabuLearn: Original Format

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Helpful, but...
Review: A previous reviewer was correct, in that you will not learn a foreign language from these tapes. HOWEVER, several years ago I started with the Spanish VocabuLearn series. It took a lot of listening, but I memorized most of Level 1 and 2. While no verb conjugation was introduced, I still learned to converse (to a fair degree) in Spanish. I had to pick up the grammar from a different source. Grammar studies don't normally include lists of vocabulary pronounced by native speakers. That being said, Spanish is relatively straighforward for the English speaker.

Trying to learn the correct pronunciation of Arabic using transliteration without audio is nearly hopeless. I live in Saudi Arabia, and purchased the VocabuLearn Level 1 and 2 in Arabic. This Semitic language is so different from European languages, that it's hard to attempt some of the sounds, even though the booklets contain transliteration. Also, the addition of the musical background is very distracting when trying to hear the speaker clearly. Get the older, non-musically "enhanced" tapes.

Also, in my opinion, view with suspicion courses that say you can learn ANY language in 30 days. I've wasted a lot of money on these, over the years. Bottom line, get these tapes, as well as a good language course (with tapes for pronunciation). Work 20-30 minutes every day. You can learn Arabic, it'll be well worth the effort, but it'll take hard work.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Helpful, but...
Review: Vocabulearn exploits the inexperience and ignorance of new language learners to promote the most ineffective language tool possible. Do not be deceived by the publisher's claims that it is a "favorite" tool, or that it is "fast, effective and fun." It is not. While it has value as a pronunciation drill aid, and the manual does show you the words and expressions both phonetically and in Arabic script, that is the extent of its usefulness. You will not learn a language, nor will you significantly increase your vocabulary, via the Vocabulearn tapes. By presenting the would-be language-learner with long lists of unrelated vocabulary completely devoid of any sort of context, the publisher insures that you can listen to Vocabulearn tapes, levels 1 & 2, regularly until the day you die, and you will never retain the material on a single one of the tapes. If you are serious about building language skills, do not put your trust in Vocabulearn.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Good Quality, But Poor Pedagogy
Review: Vocabulearn exploits the inexperience and ignorance of new language learners to promote the most ineffective language tool possible. Do not be deceived by the publisher's claims that it is a "favorite" tool, or that it is "fast, effective and fun." It is not. While it has value as a pronunciation drill aid, and the manual does show you the words and expressions both phonetically and in Arabic script, that is the extent of its usefulness. You will not learn a language, nor will you significantly increase your vocabulary, via the Vocabulearn tapes. By presenting the would-be language-learner with long lists of unrelated vocabulary completely devoid of any sort of context, the publisher insures that you can listen to Vocabulearn tapes, levels 1 & 2, regularly until the day you die, and you will never retain the material on a single one of the tapes. If you are serious about building language skills, do not put your trust in Vocabulearn.


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