TeLL me More Dutch (Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced)

Rating:
Summary: Quite simply miraculous
Review: Over the years, I have looked at many different ways to study foreign languages. I have, basically, two different styles: either a multimedia approach, or the tried and true "read, listen and repeat" drills that are far more effective than most people give them credit. The language course reviews I see on Amazon look to me like they generally fall into one of two categories: either people who are really serious and want to explore every facet of the language, or people who thought that 15 minutes after popping in a CD they would have achieved cultural fluency.

Tell Me More Dutch is for people who really want to achieve some measure of fluency or proficiency in Dutch. Although you could become conversant through using it, it is more for people who are almost looking to adopt a second language. Yes, you will work at it, but it is extremely fun, bordering on addicting, and the feedback it provides throughout all facets of learning, inspire you to grow and achieve more in the language. Tell Me More Dutch comes on two CDs, each of which has many, many lessons, with a load of exercises within each lesson. The software will track your completion of language modules, and if you so desire, give you a schedule to complete each disk based on the goals and objectives you select.

Tell Me More Dutch is, without a doubt, the best foreign language learning program I have ever seen, and I have tried several: Berlitz, the Living Language "Ultimate" series, Barron's FSI, and Language Now (note: only the Language Now series was in Dutch, but the method used by those others pales compared to Tell Me More).

Yes, Tell Me More is a little pricey, but remember that the goal of this software is to give you Dutch as a second language (at least, that's my perspective). My package included a microphone that allowed for feedback on my accent. The package also includes, reading, writing and listening comprehension exercises. Within completing the first lesson, I am actually able to feel somewhat comfortable visiting Dutch web sites.

There is none better. Please note that you may want to use better quality headphones when you are in the dictation modules. Also, if there was anything to say that was critical of this product, it would be that there are no companion CDs, other than those I've acquired independently, for learning and refresher away from the computer.