Sep 17, 2008

Michel Thomas a different way to learn spanish

I'm finishing this method right now (Still 2 units). It's a Pimsleur-like method, which contain 6 units (6 CD = 6 units), where you do have to interact by making sentences in the gaps leaved for this purpose, and also repeat some words loudly. Michel Thomas host the show (if we we can call it a show), with 2 uk students.

I don't like his way to mnemonic every single spanish quirk (Tonic accent, esta/este..). It even confuses his students more than ease their brain works, and we can hear it with  his student when dealing with the tonic accent on the 5th CD, 6th lesson (Hablar, Yo hablo).

Also, he gets a terrible english accent, even though i do understand the most of his explanations, his spanish accent is even terrible and
don't show us a real native spanish accent...

I started this method with 2 levels of spanish courses as a background, that's why I didn't find any diffuclties to follow his explanations, and more even I do skip his tips (or rules) to memorize things easily as I explained it
I do recommand the use of this method for beginner to start with, and of course use a grammar/dictionnary books with it. It's always helpful.

Official site 

PS: Of course, you can always get it from your library for no fee, and even from other sources...You can guess !!!

Sep 1, 2008

My Best Spanish Podcasts