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Michel Thomas

 Language Learning Forum : Language Programs, Books & Tapes Post Reply
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tpark
Tetraglot
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Canada
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Speaks: English*, German, Dutch, French
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 Message 17 of 185
23 April 2008 at 11:57am | IP Logged 
I have worked through a lot of the Michel Thomas materials for French, and they are great. His explanations and exercises are great for understanding the underlying structure of the language. Even if this isn't your primary language learning tool, it's really helpful for learning the language.   If you've used Pimsleur, this fills in a great many gaps in grammar that you may have missed.

As far as Esperanto goes, perhaps it's useful for some individuals.   For the kind of things I generally use language for (talking to people, reading the newspaper, watching the television and so forth) I think learning and understanding the native language of the region provides a more interesting experience, as you can then understand most things that are going on. Being able to read signs and generally communicate with the local citizens greatly enhances any visit. Are there any tourist places (hotels, airports, tourist traps, restaurants) that have signs or service in Esperanto?   How about regular newspapers?

I can see how a neutral, easily learned international language would be useful. Even so, I think I'll concentrate on the languages which I am working on now.
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zorglub
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France
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Studies: German, Arabic (Written), Turkish, Mandarin

 
 Message 18 of 185
23 April 2008 at 12:53pm | IP Logged 
I do not know wether you are ironic /sarcastic or not when you say this.
Having my doubts I gave the method a try that with Chinese is a try from scratch:
The method is very efficient and as I said earlier, I have tried a few methods.
Of course, the way it is advertised sounds like Miracle Dr Magic' potion, but it does work. With me, that is.

Edit: There are some common features with other methods: mainly scheduled recall.
For Chinese, if I go on learning more (I may start Japanese which I need more, rather) I would try Assimil or PImsleur afterwards, to expa,d automatisms and vocabulary.

The method does not claim to teach you the language, just the basics, and obviously we need be exposed to different voices and accents as in Pimsleur and Assimil.

TheElvenLord wrote:
Im listening to CD 1 Michel Thomas'.
I know what thy are saying about his accent though.
It reflect where he comes from.
Seems very relaxed at the moment, not learnt anything yet.
He says that you will just REMEMBER IT - how does it do that???
Surly, thats the holy grail of language learning!!
THE HOLY GRAIl !!!!!!!!!
(for those of you not familiar with the concept of that phrase "The Holy grail of" It means the biggest secret, the key - If i have offended any other religions with this phrase, i am sorry in advance)
TEL


Edited by zorglub on 23 April 2008 at 1:01pm

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TheElvenLord
Diglot
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Studies: Portuguese, Mandarin

 
 Message 19 of 185
24 April 2008 at 3:11am | IP Logged 
I realise that - but doing half of the first CD last night i have definitly learnt it - No memorizing, just as he said.

So - as i said - A system where you dont have to Memorize is the holy grail of language learning is it not?

TEL
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awake
Senior Member
United States
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406 posts - 438 votes 
Speaks: English*
Studies: Esperanto, Spanish

 
 Message 20 of 185
24 April 2008 at 6:46am | IP Logged 
TheElvenLord wrote:
I realise that - but doing half of the first CD last night i have definitly learnt it - No
memorizing, just as he said.

So - as i said - A system where you dont have to Memorize is the holy grail of language learning is it not?

TEL


For some people these techniques have great value. Like everything else, probably they work better for some
people than for others. Some people hate the "student discussion" format and find it to be inefficient. Others
swear by it and find that it makes the assimilation easy and enjoyable.

What I wonder though, is how well Michel Thomas' techniques scale. Are they only useful at the beginning
stages? or could you in theory develop comprehensive courses based on the techniques that would quickly and
painlessly take you all the way to fluency.    I don't think any of the current Michel Thomas courses take you
farther than the level of advanced beginner (but that they can give a very strong foundation upon which to
build). How much could these techniques be extended. If they can be, one wonders if future, more advanced
courses based on the methods will be developed. I also wonder if perhaps that's simply not practical (which
would explain why those courses weren't developed).    In any case, they are good tools to be aware of.
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TheElvenLord
Diglot
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 Message 21 of 185
24 April 2008 at 10:44am | IP Logged 
Well, im planning on buying Barron's FSI course afterwards (after doing both the basic and advanced MT), as a supplement to my main learning TeachMe!, but i hope to, before my exams, study with TY Vocabulary, Verbs and maybe grammar to help with it.

As i said, does anyone know how his method works. I heard theres a book coming out 2008 which i about his method. Cant remember its name though.

I will keep you updated as it goes though.

I had to take my cd set back to the libray, it had CD2 missing, and the new one should come tomorrow.

I dont think £70 is worth 8 hours of course, even if it is so good.

TEL
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madass88
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NorwayRegistered users can see my Skype Name
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Studies: Spanish, Mandarin

 
 Message 22 of 185
24 April 2008 at 12:24pm | IP Logged 
the michel thomas course would be worth it if even if it cost 1000 dollars! It is amazing. But you have to do it
correctly. Listen to it while you are relaxed, but concentrated, like when your walking your dog at night, or are in
a dark room sitting comfortably, and DO NOT forget to pause the recording when he sais "how do you say, i am
not going to do it, but i would like to do it." PAUSE take all the time in the world to think out the answear, say
the answear, press the play button, and listen to the students responses and what michel says.

You will not forget if you follow the method. You will learn all the grammar. You will be able to understand lot's.
A rock solid foundation, and the chinese guy who was taught by michel thomas (harold goodman) has visited
this forum and commented on his mandarin course named, michel thomas method: mandarin with harold
goodman.

in july the japanese, dutch, and i think korean? michel thomas methods will be out. I will start my japanese
training then.


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BGreco
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 Message 23 of 185
24 April 2008 at 12:37pm | IP Logged 
I think it's Japanese, Dutch, and Portuguese.
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TheElvenLord
Diglot
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United Kingdom
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Studies: Portuguese, Mandarin

 
 Message 24 of 185
24 April 2008 at 12:46pm | IP Logged 
Im doing this.

I cant afford 1000$ - or £70 - and am forking out for Barrons for after.

can i ask a question about that - On amazon there is 2 different Barrons' Mastering Spanish

One is Mastering Spanish PB
The other is Mastering Spanish: Hear it, Speak it; Write it, Read it

What is the difference?

Thanks

TEL


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