Inglés hecho fácil

Rating:
Summary: Good in some respects, difficult to use in others....
Review: Based on previous reviews, I expected a very easy to use resource that would work well for individual tutoring. Perhaps it's just me, but I have been using this book for one-on-one tutoring for several months now and find it somewhat difficult to navigate.

First, the book is written primarily for a Spanish speaker and although I can figure most of the explanations out as I go along, it still can make it difficult for an English speaker to teach using this text. It would be nice to find a book that would work equally well for a Spanish or English speaker.

Second, each sections starts with some type of theme story that presents several sentences in Spanish and English. My concern is that my student seems overwhelmed by so many new words and sentences. I know that this may help teach more conversational English, but I feel the vocabulary could be made more relevant to a new English speaker and the sentences presented after some new vocabulary had first been introduced.

Perhaps my biggest problem is that there isn't a clear index or table of contents that helps me figure out what skills are being taught in each section. It is not a very user friendly type book--it goes through the theme sections and presents concepts as it seems fit, but doesn't lend itself to finding a particular concept or jumping around within chapters.

I think this may very well be a fascinating book for Latinos and quite helpful in learning the English language, but I personally would not recommend it as the best way to go if you are tutoring someone. The material is not indexed particulary well and the sequencing and amount of information presented in each chapter does not lend itself to an effective one-on-one approach.

So please don't vote my review as unhelpful if you don't agree with my comments. I am just trying to offer my honest perspective from my personal experience...your mileage may vary!

Rating:
Summary: Good in some respects, difficult to use in others....
Review: Based on previous reviews, I expected a very easy to use resource that would work well for individual tutoring. Perhaps it's just me, but I have been using this book for one-on-one tutoring for several months now and find it somewhat difficult to navigate.

First, the book is written primarily for a Spanish speaker and although I can figure most of the explanations out as I go along, it still can make it difficult for an English speaker to teach using this text. It would be nice to find a book that would work equally well for a Spanish or English speaker.

Second, each sections starts with some type of theme story that presents several sentences in Spanish and English. My concern is that my student seems overwhelmed by so many new words and sentences. I know that this may help teach more conversational English, but I feel the vocabulary could be made more relevant to a new English speaker and the sentences presented after some new vocabulary had first been introduced.

Perhaps my biggest problem is that there isn't a clear index or table of contents that helps me figure out what skills are being taught in each section. It is not a very user friendly type book--it goes through the theme sections and presents concepts as it seems fit, but doesn't lend itself to finding a particular concept or jumping around within chapters.

I think this may very well be a fascinating book for Latinos and quite helpful in learning the English language, but I personally would not recommend it as the best way to go if you are tutoring someone. The material is not indexed particulary well and the sequencing and amount of information presented in each chapter does not lend itself to an effective one-on-one approach.

So please don't vote my review as unhelpful if you don't agree with my comments. I am just trying to offer my honest perspective from my personal experience...your mileage may vary!

Rating:
Summary: Apréndalo solo
Review: Este libro sea bueno para un Mexicano que aprenda Inglés solo. Sí, es mal organizado, pero te explica todo muy bién, y te ayuda mucho con pronunciación y lectura.

Rating:
Summary: Most useful book for ESL both in the US and Latin America
Review: I bought my first copy of Englis Hecho Facil because I work with Latinos, and each of them found it so fascinating I gave them the book and went out and bought another. This happened about six times, until I finally told them where they could buy their own copy. They have made great progress with their English and continue to ask me questions. This book comes highly recommended by Latinos. I visit Guatemala for 2 months each year and take my book with me.

Rating:
Summary: easy to follow and practical
Review: I got this for a Hispanic friend who now lives in the U.S. but speaks very little English. I was looking for a book which was easy to follow and especially designed for native Spanish speakers. After comparing all the similar books, I selected this one because of the following:

- it has explanations in spanish, and useful phrases and vocabulary in both English and Spanish side-by-side, perfect for those who don't know very little English

- it has a very good coverage of grammar, phrases, and vocabularyit's not just a phrasebook. It also covers the grammar, just in a more learn-as-you-go way.

- unlike some books which assumes you will be a tourist and teaches you just the "survival phrases", it covers more everyday vocabulary and phrases that you can really use

- the layout of each page is simple and not cluttered, making it easy to follow and not intimidating

- it starts out by comparing the English words that are very similar to Spanish, giving the reader confidence to go on and learn more

- the phrases and new words are given in small portions, so that it's not very over whelming to the reader

- Spanish translation of the English phrases are side-by-side

Rating:
Summary: Excellent starter book for teaching English
Review: I have been using this book in multiple English classes for the last six months. Based on my experience, it is a competent beginner's text. I suggest the author update it and correct the typos. There are a few rough translations in both directions and the emphasis is too much on Mexican-Spanish. Nevertheless, I like using it and my students are learning quickly. It would be helpful if there was a cassette or CD to go along.