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FSI or Pimsleur? (German) | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Programs, Books & Tapes |  | |
| BlueZepher Newbie United States Joined 4763 days ago 9 posts - 10 votes Speaks: English* Studies: German, Russian, Swedish | Message 1 of 13 15 November 2011 at 4:19am | IP Logged |
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For the past three years, I've been learning German on my own (in addition to Russian in
school). I've been using books/flashcards and websites/videos/music/CDs online. I'm still probably around A1-A2 level, so I'm looking into a new approach. Can anyone offer advice on which program (or combination of programs) would be best? I've been looking into buying Barron's Mastering German by the Foreign Service Institute or Pimsleur German? I've also thought about Hugo In 3 Months, Assimil, Linguaphone, and Micheal Thomas, but I don't know much about them. Thank you. :) Edited by BlueZepher on 15 November 2011 at 4:44am 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| datsunking1 Diglot Senior Member United States Joined 5587 days ago 1014 posts - 1533 votes  Speaks: English*, Spanish Studies: German, Russian, Dutch, French | Message 2 of 13 15 November 2011 at 5:45am | IP Logged |
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I bought the Mastering German book by Barron's used for I think $1. Get it off of amazon. It's only units 1-12, so you'll have to find the second FSI manual elsewhere. Luckily I found mine on amazon for a few dollars with the help of a few forum members :)
Assimil and FSI are both EXCELLENT. FSI is much more boring, but very intense. Michel Thomas is a great way to get speaking quickly with basic things, much better than Pimsleur in my opinion. Jordan 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| DaraghM Diglot Senior Member Ireland Joined 6153 days ago 1947 posts - 2923 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish Studies: French, Russian, Hungarian | Message 3 of 13 15 November 2011 at 11:18am | IP Logged |
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Both volumes, including the audio, of the entire FSI German is available for free at http://fsi-language-courses.org. This should be identical to the Barrons course. Edited by DaraghM on 15 November 2011 at 11:19am 3 persons have voted this message useful | |
| WentworthsGal Senior Member United KingdomRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 4890 days ago 191 posts - 246 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Swedish, Spanish | Message 4 of 13 15 November 2011 at 3:10pm | IP Logged |
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I haven't tried the German Hugo in 3 Months but I do love the Turkish and Swedish versions and would definitely recommend it for giving you a base understanding. I've just ordered the Polish one and can't wait for it to arrive so I can get stuck in. Maybe see if you can borrow this or the other ones you mentioned from the library / other people and see if it appeals to you before you buy it. Even if you can look at them in a different language, you can see how it's structured (assuming they all follow the same pattern - asking on here will be sure to get you that answer should you want it). Edited by WentworthsGal on 15 November 2011 at 3:11pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| BlueZepher Newbie United States Joined 4763 days ago 9 posts - 10 votes Speaks: English* Studies: German, Russian, Swedish | Message 5 of 13 15 November 2011 at 10:33pm | IP Logged |
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Thanks so much. :)
I'll definitely start with the FSI online then. Are there any advantages to actually purchasing it? I'll have to check out the library too. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
 jeff_lindqvist Diglot Moderator SwedenRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6911 days ago 4250 posts - 5711 votes Speaks: Swedish*, English Studies: German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Mandarin, Esperanto, Irish, French Personal Language Map | Message 6 of 13 15 November 2011 at 11:42pm | IP Logged |
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Assuming that the content is the same in both versions, you may still prefer a printed book instead of being tied to the computer (if you don't have an Ipad/Kindle/other brand of ebook reader).
1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Jinx Triglot Senior Member Germany reverbnation.co Joined 5695 days ago 1085 posts - 1879 votes Speaks: English*, German, French Studies: Catalan, Dutch, Esperanto, Croatian, Serbian, Norwegian, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish, Yiddish | Message 7 of 13 16 November 2011 at 12:53pm | IP Logged |
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If you're into reading-based methods, here are two cool resources, both single-language textbooks. Obviously with most languages this wouldn't work, but due to the similarities between German and English it's not only effective but rather fun. Both books are available complete for free through the Gutenberg Project (all hail them).
Märchen und Erzählungen für Anfänger Studien und Plaudereien 3 persons have voted this message useful | |
| kanewai Triglot Senior Member United States justpaste.it/kanewai Joined 4891 days ago 1386 posts - 3054 votes Speaks: English*, French, Marshallese Studies: Italian, Spanish | Message 8 of 13 16 November 2011 at 9:20pm | IP Logged |
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What's your time frame, and what are your goals? I think that would
I've tried FSI for three languages. My experience was that I could tough it out for a few months, but I never actually finished a course. You learn fast, there are a lot of drills, it's like jack-hammering knowledge into your head, but it is so damn boring. I reached a point in each where I just couldn't go on. I'd still recommend starting FSI, though! You do learn. If you are travelling to Germany, Pimsleur (or Michel Thomas, though I've never used him) is great for getting you to think on your feet. The grammar and vocab are basic in each, but they help with speaking. Pimsleur you can (and should) finish - figure on a month for each level at 30" per day. Assimil to me is more a long-range program - figure up to five or six months at 30" per day. To me it is the most "sustainable" choice, meaning that you will enjoy it enough to want to finish it. However, it is an odd approach to learning & most of the time you won't realize just how much you are taking in. Edited by kanewai on 16 November 2011 at 11:33pm 4 persons have voted this message useful |
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