THE QUICK AND DIRTY GUIDE TO LEARNING LANGUAGES FAST:

Rating:
Summary: Useful in the Proper Context
Review: A.G. Hawke is a member of the U.S. Army Green Berets, an elite force that operates in close coordination with local inhabitants of foreign countries who often do not speak English. Over the course of a career, a Green Beret might have to become functional in a number of languages with little advance notice. Therefore, speed and practical communication skills are essential. It is against this background that the author has developed his method for language learning, which emphasizes the rapid acquisition of essential vocabulary, and minimizes the niceties of grammar.

For a businessperson who has to learn to discuss currency fluctuations, technical issues, and personnel matters in a foreign language, Hawke's methods will be insufficient by themselves. That having been said, almost any language student can benefit by using Hawke's methods during the initial phases of study. Many native English speakers have only approached a foreign language as an academic subject. Mr. Hawke reminds the reader that a language is ultimately a communication tool, and his book is quite useful in this regard.

A number of reviewers have compared Mr. Hawke's book to Barry Farber's well known book about language study, "How to Learn Any Language" (ISBN: 0806512717). Having learned several languages myself, I would suggest that the issue is not the Hawke method versus the Farber method, but rather each in its proper context.

Farber's methods are more complete than Hawke's, and explore important issues such as grammar and reading proficiency. However, Farber's book also assumes that the reader will be able to dedicate a number of years to language study. But what if you have just been notified that you will be transferred to Thailand next month? In this case, you will likely want to start with the Hawke program, focusing on words and phrases. You will need to keep in mind, however, that the range of ideas you will be able to communicate at this stage will be extremely limited.

Many non-native speakers of English take a similar, though less systematic approach to our language. We have all encountered the foreign speaker of English who has a poor accent, and minimal grasp of English grammar, but who nonetheless manages to communicate a wide range of basic ideas, leveraging the handful of words that he or she knows.

It is also worth pointing out that Mr. Hawke's methods will allow the reader to enjoy more success with some languages than with others. Certain languages, such as Indonesian and Chinese, have very streamlined grammatical structures, and are quite forgiving of Hawke's methods. However, one might not get as far in Russian or French with an inventory of vocabulary alone. (Nevertheless, the Hawke program would still be beneficial in the beginning. There would simply be a shorter period of usefulness for the Quick and Dirty method before the language learner would be forced to crack open a grammar text.)

In summary, I would recommend that all language students purchase this book, but don't take it as the last word on language study, especially if you plan to use a foreign language in business situations. Mr. Hawke's advice is quite useful, but inextricably bound to situations that require only basic communications.

(Review by Edward Trimnell, author of "Why You Need a Foreign Language and How to Learn One," ISBN: 1591133343 )

Rating:
Summary: Jump-start your learning
Review: I've been studying Spanish on my own nearly every day for almost two years. Of all the how-to-learn-a-language books that I've found in that time, I think that Barry Farber's "How to Learn Any Language" outlines the best long term strategy. But I think that A.G. Hawke may have the best short-term/quick-start method.

In his introduction, the author talks about principles. He says that his method is based on the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. I don't think he gives himself enough credit. I can see three much more tangible principles at work here:

1) Prioritize
Learn the most useful and important things first. The book's charts are prefilled with suggested concepts that the author considers most important.

2) Divide and conquer
The material to be learned is broken into manageable chunks. You concentrate on one chunk at a time. Every day you have a goal.

3) Be consistent
The method suggests a daily pattern of review and learning.

While these principles may not be earth shattering news, the book does provide plenty of details. From those details, you are expected to craft a program of your own. This allows you to take charge of your own learning and to progress with the least amount of wasted time and effort (At least in the early stages).

After reading this book, I can't help but wonder how much of a head start it would have given me. Having no guidance at all, I floundered for quite a while before I started making any real progress. If I'd had this book, I might have shaved several months off my initial learning. (Even just a one month head start is worth more than the price of the book.)

Other reviewers point out that this slim book has very few pages of real text. I'll admit that was my initial reaction too. It's barely longer than a magazine feature article if you don't count the charts. But the author wastes no words.

Short as it is, I'm glad this did end up in book form rather than in a magazine. Otherwise, it would be lost in the abyss of back-issues.

Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: Ignore the negative reviews of this book. The book is called the quick and dirty guide to language learning because that is what is is. It is designed to help you become functional quickly and it does accomplish this if you make the commitment and follow the schedule.

If you want to learn a new language I highly recommend this book. Hawke presents a 7 day process to help you become functional in a new language quickly. He gives you the schedule for each day that includes reviewing what you have learned before you go to bed and as soon as you get up in the morning. If you are traveling to another country on business or for a vacation this book will help you get the essential vocabulary you will need. If you are learning a language in depth this will give you a good foundation. Hawke largely focuses on building your vocabulary and learning useful phrases. He also provides information on the most useful grammatical concepts for a new user to master. Grammar books often focus on complicated grammar concepts that new learners really don't need early on. This book actually covers important information that Barry Farber left out in "How to Learn Any Language." I suggest you buy both, complete Hawke's book and then move onto Farber's.

Rating:
Summary: The cheap and nasty guide to learning languages badly.
Review: It is hardly surprising that you can't get to see what is inside this book beyond the cover and copyright page! If you did, you wouldn't part with your hard-earned for such a superficial and time-wasting exercise in learning a few words in a foreign language! Literally, most of the pages are covered in charts of high frequency words in English that, (Get this!) you have to fill in yourself in the foreign language!!! You can get phrase books with the foreign words already written next to the English words. How innovative! I am not at all impressed with the infantile language learning tips either. They are next to useless. The author is said to be "certifid" byt he US army in several languages. All I can say is that you don't need to know much to get certified if the shoddy standard you will reach at the end of this book is anything to go by. Moreover, after all the time you spend looking up your words you still have to learn them! There is no secret here and no method to speak of either. I can't believe anyone has the cheek to charge $20 as the list price for this. Even at $14 it's not worth the paper it's printed on. That I am required to give this book 1 star is an insult in itself.

If you are looking for a way to help your laguage learning along, and you are tempted by the ill-fitting title promising you a quick-fix, my advice is DON'T BOTHER! Rather than spending your money on this rubbish you can buy a phrase book with a tape and work through that. It will save you money and time and give you a higher quality learning experience than this horrible little book can afford you!

Rating:
Summary: I was left confused
Review: This book is incredible and extremely helpful in learning new languages, without a classroom. The author has a great sense of humor and the book itself is very enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend!
Review: This book is incredible and extremely helpful in learning new languages, without a classroom. The author has a great sense of humor and the book itself is very enjoyable.