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Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: After finishing Mandarin I, I felt as though I had a good feel for the language, but my vocabulary was too limited to be of any real use. Mandarin II solves this problem by introducing the most basic and useful structures which weren't included in Mandarin I (For example, "should, have to, never, always, before, after, etc."). It is almost impossible to carry out basic conversations without these structures. Mandarin II also deals extensively with the past tense (which isn't really a tense) to the point where it can be used, more or less, with confidence.Mandarin II is very similar to Mandarin I in lesson structure, pace, and quality. Like Mandarin I, the lessons are intense, and they teach so much in such a short time, but they're also very fun. As I worked through Mandarin II, the tones and pronunciation started to shift to the subconscious level and I could successfully combine two falling-rising tones in a sentence without even thinking about it. It's as if I'm absorbing the language naturally. This would have taken forever without Pimsleur. Even with a personal tutor, the use of time wouldn't have been nearly as efficient. I've also finished Mandarin III (which is also excellent) and I now feel as though I have a good overall knowledge of Mandarin, and my pronunciation is close to perfect (I've been told that I don't have an accent). I am now trying to learning the more advanced aspects of the language through self-study and conversational practice, which is entirely possible after completing this course.
Rating:
Summary: Pimsleur is the easiest and great for the car
Review: I am have been struggling to learn Chinese for years. I took a year in college, then I forgot most of it. The Pimsleur series is conversationally-oriented and easy to listen to in the car. It has given me the confidence to speak some Chinese, and helps you learn the right tones. It was worth the substantial cash outlay. I hope they make a Mandarin III.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Method But. . .
Review: I have sung praises for Pimsleur language tapes/CDs both on Amazon and elsewhere on the net for many years now. I know of no other self-teaching method that gets you up and running in a foreign language so effectively. Indeed, I have completed their full courses (i.e., 3 unabridged volumes) in French, German, Spanish, and Italian as well as their mini-courses in Thai, Hindi, and Czech. The Pimsleur Mandarin series is excellent, as usual. However, in working with this current series I am reminded once again of a major limitation that never fails to frustrate me. I refer to the basic working script. This differs slightly in content and emphasis from language to language, but is roughly the same throughout all the unabridged courses. My fundamental problem with all the Pimsleur scripts is that they seem to be oriented toward a (hypothetical) individual working in a foreign subidiary of a multinational corporation. I consider this a problem because it emphasizes social niceties and water-cooler talk instead of practical on-the-ground vocabulary. I mean, sheesh, shouldn't I know the words for east, west, north, and south by lesson 20 of Mandarin II? I frequently find myself tearing out my hair because I am not being given the tools (vocabulary) for successfully negotiating everyday travel situations. In sum, Pimsleur is a great method for learning a foreign language. I just wish the content of the courses were more strongly focused on the practical, everyday needs of independent travelers.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best
Review: I waited a few years for this, and it was worth it. I'm a native English speaker, and I've dabbled in German, Spanish and Japanese, but I still think that Mandarin is the easiest language I've ever learned. It is a straightforward, simple, flexible and consistent language with no surprises. The tones are not that hard to learn; there are basically only four of them, and you learn them by experience and practice, and by HEARING and REMEMBERING them, not by memorizing. All in all a very well-done and polished production. According to the Amazon release date, Mandarin III should be out February 2003; can't wait! I also hope they do a fourth level, like they have with the German and Spanish.
Rating:
Summary: Learning while u drive works...
Review: I wrote a review on Pimsleur Mandarin I. Excellent set. Waited for II. Now it's out. PM II maintains the excellent standards of volume I. Two months after getting PM II, I went to Beijing for a science meeting (for ten days). I was in excellent shape. Nearly everyone understood me: waiters, shop people (bargains galore), taxi drivers, etc. I never quite had the time to master volume II like I did volume I. But the best thing is the diction and sound that you CANNOT get from a book alone. Pimsleur uses stock phrases to a point, and then mixes them and creates new ideas. Sentences do become longer (occasioanlly they are so long I can't remember them to translate -- I am after all driving). It is not a trivial list of slogans. You actually learn. They speak at a pace that forces you to become more fluid and conversant -- but you can replay the units. Of course it cannot mimic the spontaneity of real-life conversations, but it does an excellent job nevertheless. Pimsleur is best if regular opportunities exist to practice. Pimsleur is not that simple, yet it is comfortable and thorough. The different arenas: eating, travel about town, "small talk", are all well chosen. I used all of them in Beijing-- some more haltingly than others, some comfortably naturally. I now hear most tones the first time. I still don't quite stress them strongly enough (I discovered this while there). The down-and-up tone is really emphasized. The daily practice is getting my tongue more and more comfortable with the unusual sounds and twists. I still think it's a bit pricey. I have the convenience of sitting in a college class -- which does NOT give the oral practice that Pimsleur does, but the class does give me a wider understanding of context and word order. I will get Pimsleur III when it comes out. I'm serious about learning the language. I think Pimsleur can deliver a lot, but not everything. It is convenient, CDs don't wear out, and I'll keep reviewing. You need to find supplemental ways to expand the dialog still. I AM a satisfied Pimsleur fan.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series
Review: I've tried several language tapes and software packages before but this is the one that I've had the most success with. I completed Mandarin I and when I saw that Mandarin II was available, I ordered it immediately. I've completed Mandarin II and now I'm working on Mandarin III. Too bad that's as far as the series goes. I won't say that I'm conversing fluently in Mandarin but the entire series is only 45 hours of instruction so I think you have to be realistic in your expectations. For me, Pimsleur is the right approach. I've made genuine progress and I'm told that my pronunciation is reasonably accurate. For someone with moderate skills as far as learning foreign languages go, as well as having started after the age of 40, I'm quite satisfied. I even have a Cantonese speaking friend who borrowed the tapes and used them to improve her Mandarin! I'd recommend the series to anyone who wants to learn to speak Mandarin. Note that there is no instruction on writing Chinese, only some brief notes on Pinyin. I'd also recommend Modern Chinese from Beijing University for learning Pinyin and the basic components of speech. The Chinese-English Dictionary edited by John DeFrancis is also worth looking into and finally, you can get the Oxford Chinese-English dictionary for Palm OS.
Rating:
Summary: The Easiest Way to Begin Speaking Chinese
Review: The second level continues where the first one left off. Now you learn to play expressions that deal with time - past tense, future tense. You also learn how to construct more complex sentences, more measure words, and the appropriate word order.
While, theoretically, you may go through each lesson only once and while you may feel to excited to find out what comes next, here and there you may want to stay with some lessons longer.
Each lesson does review some of the previous material, but it's really an immerson into the language and constant exposure to the words that makes them stick. If you just go through the lessons once, few months down the road, it may seem that some of what you have learned has evaporated, so it's good to keep on reviewing the lessons, until the words remain impressed upon your mind.
Since Pimsleur doesn't teach you how to write, this may be a good time (if you haven't yet), to pick up additional program that will teach you how to write Chinese characters. One such program is Easy Chinese Tutor, also available on amazon.com
Rating:
Summary: The Easiest Way to Begin Speaking Chinese
Review: The second level continues where the first one left off. Now you learn to play expressions that deal with time - past tense, future tense. You also learn how to construct more complex sentences, more measure words, and the appropriate word order.
While, theoretically, you may go through each lesson only once and while you may feel to excited to find out what comes next, here and there you may want to stay with some lessons longer.
Each lesson does review some of the previous material, but it's really an immerson into the language and constant exposure to the words that makes them stick. If you just go through the lessons once, few months down the road, it may seem that some of what you have learned has evaporated, so it's good to keep on reviewing the lessons, until the words remain impressed upon your mind.
Since Pimsleur doesn't teach you how to write, this may be a good time (if you haven't yet), to pick up additional program that will teach you how to write Chinese characters. One such program is Easy Chinese Tutor, also available on amazon.com
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