Spanish (L.A.) I : 2nd Rev. Ed.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but know what you're buying...
Review: First, beware of those "abbreviated" sets commonly sold for under $50 at bricks-and-mortar retailers. Those "introductory" versions only include the first few (up to 8 or so, but not all 30) thirty-minute lessons. Such "abbreviated" sets are woefully incomplete and are obviously sold as mere "enticements" to encourage the buyer to (subsequently) shell out the requisite big bucks for the FULL (30-lesson) edition(s).
Moreover, to really begin to achieve fluency at the (so-called) "intermediate-plus" level, you will ALSO need, eventually, to purchase Pimsleur's "Spanish II" and "Spanish III" sets (each of which comprise 30 additional thirty-minute lessons). And EVEN THEN you will be FAR from "fully fluent" in Spanish.
Having said this, let me add that I've tried virtually ALL the available Spanish audio, video, and software products that are "mass marketed," and the Pimsleur series (albeit costly!) is, by far, the best single item of them all. This is because you can really "interact" with realistic dialogues, AND the material is very, very carefully and strategically sequenced. I must add, however, that because the Pimsleur approach teaches you (essentially) NO *written* words, well, if you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to occasionally "pause" the current CD (or tape, if, like me, you own the cassette version) to go look up a newly introduced word in a Spanish dictionary, just to be sure you've heard the native speaker's intonation correctly and are repeating the proper consonants/vowels. (For this purpose, you could do worse than to employ the "Word Ace" (speaking-dictionary/verb-conjugator) software by Transparent Language, makers of the well-known "Spanish Now!" software "bundles" that often have a "Word Ace" CD included "free"). But even a mere paperback Spanish dictionary could be a useful supplement to the Pimsleur "audio-only" approach. After all, even though it's true that SPOKEN language is "primary", sooner or later you obviously will also need to be able to READ some basic words and expressions.
Finally, as a significant "second-best" program (to the excellent Pimsleur "audio-only" series), The Rosetta Stone software is worthy of your consideration, provided (again) that you opt for the FULL set of discs, not merely an "introductory" disc containing the first few lessons.
In my opinion, almost all OTHER "audio/visual/software" foreign-language-learning products on the market--despite their impressive "bells and whistles"--are *chiefly* useful as "supplemental" (not your "primary") learning media.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but know what you're buying...
Review: First, beware of those "abbreviated" sets commonly sold for under $50 at bricks-and-mortar retailers. Those "introductory" versions only include the first few (up to 8 or so, but not all 30) thirty-minute lessons. Such "abbreviated" sets are woefully incomplete and are obviously sold as mere "enticements" to encourage the buyer to (subsequently) shell out the requisite big bucks for the FULL (30-lesson) edition(s).
Moreover, to really begin to achieve fluency at the (so-called) "intermediate-plus" level, you will ALSO need, eventually, to purchase Pimsleur's "Spanish II" and "Spanish III" sets (each of which comprise 30 additional thirty-minute lessons). And EVEN THEN you will be FAR from "fully fluent" in Spanish.
Having said this, let me add that I've tried virtually ALL the available Spanish audio, video, and software products that are "mass marketed," and the Pimsleur series (albeit costly!) is, by far, the best single item of them all. This is because you can really "interact" with realistic dialogues, AND the material is very, very carefully and strategically sequenced. I must add, however, that because the Pimsleur approach teaches you (essentially) NO *written* words, well, if you're like me, you'll find yourself wanting to occasionally "pause" the current CD (or tape, if, like me, you own the cassette version) to go look up a newly introduced word in a Spanish dictionary, just to be sure you've heard the native speaker's intonation correctly and are repeating the proper consonants/vowels. (For this purpose, you could do worse than to employ the "Word Ace" (speaking-dictionary/verb-conjugator) software by Transparent Language, makers of the well-known "Spanish Now!" software "bundles" that often have a "Word Ace" CD included "free"). But even a mere paperback Spanish dictionary could be a useful supplement to the Pimsleur "audio-only" approach. After all, even though it's true that SPOKEN language is "primary", sooner or later you obviously will also need to be able to READ some basic words and expressions.
Finally, as a significant "second-best" program (to the excellent Pimsleur "audio-only" series), The Rosetta Stone software is worthy of your consideration, provided (again) that you opt for the FULL set of discs, not merely an "introductory" disc containing the first few lessons.
In my opinion, almost all OTHER "audio/visual/software" foreign-language-learning products on the market--despite their impressive "bells and whistles"--are *chiefly* useful as "supplemental" (not your "primary") learning media.

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Pimsleur, Babies Can't Read!!!
Review: I am a Spanish teacher for high school students. I also give private lessons in Spanish. I am not a native speaker. I acquired fluency in Spanish mainly from self-teachings. It also helps that I am married to a native speaker. Purchasing Spanish courses has become somewhat of a hobby of mine. My private students are always asking me for advice about Spanish home study courses to buy so I have to keep abreast of what's on the market. I completed all 3 Pimsleur Spanish courses a few years ago.

Now for Pimsleur Spanish One. I don't think it's as effective as many say. I say that for two reasons. First of all, it does not offer sufficient vocabulary to communicate effectively. Secondly (but mainly), because the teaching method is flawed. There is no text to accompany the audio. Mr. Pimsleur claims that's because as a child we learn to speak a language before we learn to read and write it. That may be so. But there's a reason why a child learns to speak a language before the child can read and write it. And that's because babies can't read!

Babies have no choice but to learn to speak before reading. An adult on the other hand has the capacity to read and should take advantage of this skill when learning a foreign language. By reading what you are also hearing, reinforces what you're learning. If you have any doubt about what I am saying try learning a vocabulary list of new words in your native language by audio only and then try learning the same list by audio and text and see which method enables you not only to learn more words but remember them. Pimsleur completely overlooks this. And I am sure that's the reason why Pimsleur covers so little vocabulary. How could you possibly remember a great deal of vocabulary without seeing it and reading it?

I prefer FSI Programmatic Spanish over Pimsluer. That's the same course developed by the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service Institute to train diplomats to speak Spanish. Unlike Pimsleur, the audio is accompanied by text. Platiquemos re-recorded FSI Spanish to make it "politically correct" but I think Platiquemos lost a lot of the effectiveness of the course when doing so. There are a couple of FSI Spanish courses offered on the Net. But the FSI "Progrommatic" Spanish course is the only one that I would say is actually better than Pimsleurs.

The downside of FSI Programmatic Spanish is that it's a bit pricey. I have sent a couple of my students to buy the course at www.audioforum.com where the course is sold for $225. But one of my students recently informed me that she got both Level I and Level II of FSI Spanish for less than $100 at www.learninglikecrazy.com


Rating:
Summary: Pimsleur Spanish ¡¡BUENO!!
Review: I am on CD 23. Some is a review for me, but much of it is new. I am finding it interesting and enjoyable. It is important to point out, that this course does also have a WRITING/READING portion. Another review incorrectly stated that they do not. Perhaps the earlier versions did not come with it. There are CD's and books that come with the course, that teach you how to read the words that you are learning. You may use it as you go along, or wait until you are finished with the course. I have been speaking with a few latino friends. They all say that my accent is perfect. I STRONGLY recommend this course.

Rating:
Summary: Good memorization approach
Review: I have been using a number of recorded Spanish lessons to learn Spanish on my own, including the Foreign Service Institute course (Mastering Spanish, levels 1 and 2) and lessons from learningspanishlikecrazy.com. One of the best things about the Pimsleur's Spanish series is that it has more interactivity than the other courses I've used. There are many set up situations where you interact back and forth with a recorded speaker. I have found this to be very helpful in practicing for real live speakers. Mastering Spanish, for example, has a lot more single-sentence utterances you copy, but less back-and-forth. (I understand the new Platiquemos tries to correct for this problem.)

Another good point about Pimsleur is that it uses a repetition pattern developed by Dr. Pimsleur that has worked well in helping me memorize the material. They present a word or phrase several times, go on to other things, then go back to that recently-learned phrase again. A bit later, they hit it again. I find this to be very effective in helping me remember the material.

The main drawback is that the tapes are somewhat slow, and overly formal. For example, phrases like "Encantado," "Que le vaya bien," and "Por supuesto" are taught instead of more informal equivalents (such as "Mucho gusto", "Nos vemos", and "Claro"). But whether this is good or bad may depend on what you want to get out of the language: if you're a tourist or in business, you may want to be more formal, so the more formal phrases may work well for you. For everyday communication, however, I've found less formal is better. Some people immediately tutear (use the informal 'tu') with you, and it would be nice to immediately switch into an informal mode of communication with them.

To overcome the formality trap, get a book like "Breaking out of Beginner's Spanish." I cannot say enough good things for this book. It is an indispensible companion to any self-study course, and will get you using words and phrases appropriate to the situation. You might also want to sign up at learningspanishlikecrazy.com, where you have weekly teleconferences with a native speaker.

Finally, this series is clearly very expensive. But, never fear: try your local public libraries before buying one yourself, either as a "try before you buy", or instead of buying. (I always try to borrow materials first before I buy them, so I can evaluate them myself.) I've been through most of the course now, and have borrowed everything from a local library.

In summary, there are drawbacks to the course, but I find its memorization approach to work very well for me.


Rating:
Summary: Pimsleur Spanish is too formal for casual relationships
Review: I have completed all 3 Pimsleur Spanish courses. Actually 4 if you include Spanish Plus. I have several criticisms about the course. The Spanish is very formal. I would not call it "speaker-friendly" Spanish. And I want to learn Spanish primarily to meet friends and speak to the opposite sex. When I used the Spanish from Pimsleur I got the feeling that Latinos or Hispanics were turned-off by my Pimsleur Spanish because it was too formal. I get the impression that they're culture is friendlier, less formal, and more affectionate than our American culture and when I approached them with my formal Pimsleur Spanish it was just a major turn off to them. I actually did not get discouraged by this. I have really thick skin. But a friend who started learning Spanish at the same time that I started has quit already. He felt that the Spanish that we were both learning from Pimsleur was not the Spanish that Latinos really speak. There's a word that they use in Pimsleur when you are introduced to someone for the first time. The word is "Encantado." I asked my x-girlfriend from Puerto Rico what does it mean. And she said it's like being introduced to someone in English and responding "How enchanting" or "How charming." I don't know about you but if someone introduces me to someone in English, I'd feel overly formal by replying "How enchanting." I think "pleased to meet you" would be more appropriate. Or in Spanish you'd say "mucho gusto." Presently, I am doing the Learning Spanish Like Crazy course. In that course they use "mucho gusto" instead of "encantado." LSLC is a big help because that course covers both formal and informal Spanish, but mainly informal, very informal (including very vulgar insults in Spanish). The vulgar insults are in a completely separate part of the LSLC course so I was able to let my 10 year old niece study the course without having her young ears exposed to such filthy language. I have some other criticisms about Pimsleur but I will save them for when I write reviews for Pimsleur Spanish Two and Three.


Rating:
Summary: Pimsleur Works!!
Review: I have just completed Spanish I and have been very impressed. It took about 2 months to get through the 30 lessons, as I often had to do a lesson twice. I did my lessons commuting to work in my car. It made the commute time go quickly, and I really felt like I was accomplishing something. It is truly amazing how effective the Pimsleur CDs are in helping you build a new language. Sometimes, there is not enough time to respond to the phrase, but I guess it is designed that way. Buy these! If you stick to it, you won't be disappointed. I am moving onto Spanish II now.

Rating:
Summary: Well set-up and well thought out
Review: I just finished the 30th lesson in Pimsleur's Spanish I, and I'm impressed. I studied spanish in high school for four years but I feel I've learned more useable spanish with Pimsleur.

Nearly everyone has studied a language at one point in their life. In my experience it was generally a lot of memorization of verbs, conjugations, and words rarely used (how many times do you need to say "broccoli" in spanish??). Pimsleur cuts away the unnecessary and teaches you, in convenient 30-minute lessons, what you need to speak basic spanish. You'll learn common words, verbs, and expressions and then you'll take those lingual building blocks and answer various questions posed. You'll love the ability to think through and piece together a relatively complex sentence with things previously learned.

I found the best way to learn was to sit down with my mp3 player so that I could pause and play the lesson at will. This will allow you to pause and put together your own answer before the lesson chimes in. You could still listen to this in your car, I suppose, but I feel you might learn more effectively if you focus solely on the lesson. Starting and stopping the lesson would also extend my time spent from 30 minutes to 40 minutes or so, but the extra time was well worth it.

In defense of what others have said, there is no extensive textbook so that the spanish is learned as a child would. Do you think that spanish children are given textbooks when they're learning to speak?? I have also read that this format is to keep the english influence to a minimum. If you were given a book, you would read the words and instantly sound out the word with a decided english bias. With the audio lessons, you can focus on the sounds that you hear and need to reproduce. This will give you a better spanish pronunciation.

I'd agree that the spanish is formal for most of the Spanish I lessons. It works with informal tenses and pronouns in the final lesson though. When you're first learning a language, I don't see the problem with speaking formally to begin with. First learn to speak politely with all the strangers you will meet, since any spanish-speaking friends you have will forgive your errors.
And on the topic of "encantado" vs "mucho gusto" - they teach the former for the first half of the lessons, and the latter for the last half. I don't understand what the "learning-spanish fiend" is even talking about. Guess he didn't really listen to as much Pimsleur as he said?

So my final words on the course are, definitely pick it up if you'd like to learn spanish on your own. Put aside 30-45 minutes a day to really focus on the lessons. And for god sakes, don't pay full price for this program. It's a fantastic investment, but it's sold for a reduced price in a million different places.

Buena suerte!

Rating:
Summary: I WROTE THE SCRIPT. ANYONE INTERESTED?
Review: I've been teaching with Pimsleur since 1997. I know its advantages and disadvantages. I spent many hours writing the script, word by word, and I'm working on a Power Point presentation for visual aid. If you are interested in this email me at [e-mail].

Rating:
Summary: Pimsleur Method
Review: I've studied Spanish for many years, stationed in Central America for a few years, and have visited as well. But, I never got past the most basic points of Spanish. I had thought it was me, but I've been studying this course for about a month, and already my grammar and thinking ability has improved dramatically. While you may be confused as to what level to start with, I found that the course instructions as to always starting on Level 1 worked best for me. There is, of course, more to learning a language than just the words. The grammar and ability to think without translating works much better this way. At least for me. Also, do just one lesson a day, and make sure you do it at the pace of a lesson every day for the full benefit, but if you are unsure of a lesson, don't hesitate to repeat it two or three times. I find that at least twice a day works best for me. The course appears to be timed in it's memory recall function for one lesson a day. In other words, phrases are brought up at specific intervals for your memory, and the course pace of one lesson a day is the measure of these intervals. So learning is much easier if you go through at this pace. Vocabulary is never difficult, but grammar has always been my downfall before, as well as verb tenses, but my grammar has improved dramatically already and it is done without any real concious effort. I have followed the course guidelines exactly, in other words, I have not supplemented the course with dictionairies or any other study aids, though I already know how to read and write Spanish. I believe this to be the best way, even though it appears more difficult at first. This way your brain isn't allowed any crutches to learn the materials. Having used many other courses, studied the language in college, and immersed to some degree for a while, I have found this course a godsend to me. I truly believe that in a mere 100 days, I will be speaking fairly fluently and thinking in Spanish. Pretty easy to guess this, as I can already survive in Mexico, it's just my Spanish has been very embarassing for me. Good luck and have fun. The course has many humourous examples and the vocabulary generalisms mentioned in it are not fatal for your visit to a spanish speaking country. They will be so happy you are even attempting to learn the language, you will be forgiven for mistakes. And the mistakes in vocabulary are minor and the norm for language courses. Besides, how can any language course which has beer a central topic point for a half dozen lessons be bad? Enjoy.