lack of pronounciation help a big problem
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I very much enjoyed the learning experience and found it stuck but then when speaking to Chinese (mandarin speakers) they couldn't understand me. The tape doesn't focus on the tones and intonations needed for Mandarin. I switched to a Harold Goodman audiobook and found I was much more understood because of the focus on the correct intonations. Maybe these tapes work well with other languages as the music in the background does seem to help the learning experience but I found them of little use for Mandarin.
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Fantastic!
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After reading the reviews above and some consultation with other sites, I decided to buy this Rapid Chinese Volume 1 book.
I always thought learning a language so different to our own would prove difficult and even frustrating. I have to say my opinion is quite the contrary: within minutes you can speak short phrases and piece together sentences that are actually useful! I simply cannot express how pleased I am with this book and audio CD...it has worked brilliantly and you can listen to it any where!
But (sorry, I hate doing a big 'but') the way this advertisement puts itself across is as though you learn the chinese language through song. No. Actually, you simply have a man and a woman talking and teaching you chinese with music in the background -the speech has no particular rhythm and the music really just makes it more entertaining.
I don't know how it works -neither do I want to- but something about this book and CD really works. I have been studying French for three years and German for 2 years, and I think it is fair to say that my language lessons and nothing compared to this marvellous book. You can remember everything you learn and that is saying something...I have the memory of a seive and can still learn and remember key phrases.
I can't speak highly enough of it, but beware, this is more of a business book than a pleasure book (meaning you learn how to order tickets, book things, and use a taxi, not talk about yourself and what you like).
Fantastic!
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Learning Chinese
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This is a great start to learning this language. If you enjoy listening to music whilst learning/working then you shouldn't be disappointed. Looking forward to Vol. 2!
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Excellent CD
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My Husband has had this great idea of learning Chinese in time for a trip to the 2008 olympics in China. He's starting early as I bought him this Cd for a gift. He loves it and it's even got our 2 and a half year old asking for a coffee in chinese!
An excellent buy, I really recommend this series of CDs. We've also got the German, Italian and French ones. Can't speak highly enough of them. Can't wait for volume two to come out.
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