 |
SmartFrench: Learn French from Real French People by Christian Aubert
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Christian Aubert Edition: CD-ROM Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2007-10-01 ISBN: 097294740X Number of pages: 64 Publisher: SmartFrench
Book Reviews of SmartFrench: Learn French from Real French PeopleBook Review: Wonderful and innovative with great results Summary: 5 Stars
Great course! The progress I have made just after two weeks of studying is incredible. Last time I studied French was 10 years ago in college. I retained some grammar and a small vocabulary. Three months ago, I renewed my interest in improving my French. I have learned a lot of new words and phrases on my own. However, comprehension was the elusive part which to me was the MOST important. After researching all available learning courses (took me two weeks of reading and going to various stores), I had finally found "Smart French." After exploring the website and listening to the demo, I was convinced this was a great product.
I have been studying the CDs for the past 2 weeks and I cannot believe the change in my listening and comprehension! My biggest frustration has always been the inability to separate the words and phrases in spoken French. Now, I can listen and discern TF1 news reports and interviews (I can actually understand what Thierry Henry is saying!). On top of that, my speech has changed - my French has acquired a melody and tone to it that surprised even my French speaking friends. I spend 2 hrs a day listening and repeating; to the point that I can feel the muscles in my face being `trained' to move in a different way. No other French class had such results for me. The phonetics I was taught in college sound primitive and crude in comparison to the way I am learning to speak now.
If you want to learn 10-20 "plastic" phrases so you can find a bathroom in Paris - buy a $5 phrasebook and don't waste your time and money. If you don't want to spend time, work hard and dedicate yourself to learning - hire an interpreter.
Learning a foreign language is 10% talent and 90% work. You still have to learn words, phrases and grammar but you don't need expensive CDs for that. Purchase some books and a dictionary, and study, study, study. Any idiot can do that.
"Smart French" has what you cannot get from books - live language - spoken by French people (from France). Not a 100 pre-packaged phrases in Canadian, North African or American accents which many other products use.
There was a comment regarding the sound quality which is completely without merit. There's nothing wrong with the microphone. The teaching part is recorded with crisp studio sound and the actual conversation reflects the natural sound. What you are hearing is exactly what you hear when you are speaking to people in real life - it is very important to learn to understand people in a natural environment.
Those who leave bad reviews are looking for some sort of magic - maybe watched `Matrix' too many times. Foreign languages are learned through studying; not downloaded into the brain while you sleep.
I recommend "Smart French" to everyone, advanced as well as beginners. A very basic knowledge of French would help the beginner student to better appreciate this course but it's never too early to study with "Smart French."
Summary of SmartFrench: Learn French from Real French PeopleWindowsNT/98/2000/95/XP/MacOSX - For Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced - Repetition of excerpts of complete conversations - CD-Rom with booklet containing actual transcripts of French natives - Color-coding shows what is and what is not pronounced in spoken French - Successfully used in American Embassies "This CD Rom is a "Must" for learning how the French REALLY talk!" William Martin, retired political editor, The Oakland Tribune "I've tried them all and this one is it!" Joe Hogan, CBS "When I heard my first lesson I honestly felt betrayed by my other programs --why didn't they simply tell the truth about French pronunciation like SmartFrench does?" Patricia J. Gust, Attorney, Los Angeles, CA For Americans, learning a foreign language is typically a very frustrating experience. After spending countless hours in a classroom environment, most find that they are still unable to comprehend "real world" French as it is naturally spoken between native French people. To learn a language one has to develop speaking as well as understanding skills. What to do first is a matter of choice. To learn a few sentences to get by is good but to understand whatÃ?Â?s coming back to you is also important. SmartFrench will develop your listening skills, which will raise your confidence to speak naturally (Just learning basic sentences would make you sound too "proper"). For better progress, this process should be done simultaneously and the sooner the better, right at the beginner level. Some people think that developing understanding skills should be a part of the beginner level training and some donÃ?Â?t. For those who think it is, we have designed a beginner level. A beginner is naturally not expected to be able to understand dialogs at real speed right away, but with a little patience, you will soon feel more and more confident about your ability to "talk" French just by learning how to recognize the "rhythm" of the language and its predictable patterns. There are seven interviews at the beginner level and six interviews at the intermediate and at the advanced levels. You will practice slowly at the beginner level and faster on the next two levels. On the booklet, the transcripts of the conversations are in colors to show you what is and what is not pronounced in spoken French. The lessons are organized interactively so that you can work at your own pace, pausing or rewinding at any time. At any level and at any time you can watch the video and read the translation before you work on the interview you have chosen. We are so confident in your success using our revolutionary educational method, we stand behind this product with a full 30 day money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the product to SmartFrench in its original packaging for a full refund. "I have three other French language courses, and I've learned more from this one than I have the others put together." Cynthia Stull, Washington, DC, writes contracts for the National Cancer Institute, for the AIDS programs around the world "No matter what other sources you use in your language learning, the Smart thing to do is give yourself this key to confidence." Ian Jackson, CEO, Breathplay, Dallas
Conversation Books
|
 |