Product Description

Michel Thomas took the language-learning world by storm.
With no books, no memorising and no homework, Michel teaches the basic grammar of the language painlessly. Using the method he perfected over 50 years, he shares his secret with the world - and 'makes it simple' (Sunday Times). In only a matter of hours, he gives you a comprehensive grasp of the structure of the language, enabling you to communicate with confidence. The present, future, conditional and past tenses are covered, and you are taught to think about the ideas that you are trying to communicate, rather than to translate words slavishly. He points out the similarities of the vocabulary in English and French and gives you the tools to guess the words you do not know, or think you do not know.
In the 'Language Builders' Michel consolidates and expands your knowledge of structures and vocabulary in a one-on-one lecture session with you at home.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6987 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-28
• Released on: 1900-01-01
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: French, English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Sunday Times
"Thomas makes it simple"

Review
"Ideal for any business traveller who needs to be able to get around confidently." (Sunday Business )

"A great way to learn; it's fast and it lasts". (The Daily Telegraph )

"Five minutes into the first CD, you already feel like you're winning." (Time Out )

"Michel Thomas is a precious find indeed." (The Guardian )

"Thomas makes it simple" (Sunday Times )

"Michel's methods will teach you effectively and easily" (Daily Star )

"Hugely inspiring" (Red )

"Excellent for learning ... This entirely audio course is easy to use and quickly results in some useful ability in the new language. Great for the car."
 

(Adventure Travel )

"Moving along at a relaxed, slow pace, punctuated by amusing anecdotes and jokes from the teacher, the new words, phrases and language rules are gently introduced and reinforced through subtle repetition without ever being tedious. In fact, despite a distinct emphasis on non-work, the course proves very effective and enjoyable, and its format is ideal for learning anywhere you like. So, if you only want to learn to speak the language, this course is highly recommended."

(Top Real Travel Product, Real Travel )

Sunday Business
"Ideal for any business traveller who needs to be able to get around confidently."

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Customer Reviews

Builds on 8 Hour Course
Just a month ago I knew no French at all. Well, apart from the one or two words that I could remember from school (ca va, ca va bien merci) and no joke that was about it.

I have used the 8 Hour complete course and this Language builder to get myself upto a level where I can 'get by'. I have tried loads of other books and tapes but they are boring. The Michel Thomas method is good because you are not bored. You feel that you are constantly progressing but also you are going over what you have learned previously so that you don't forget.

The system used on the language builder is similar to that in the 8 Hour course, but there are no annoying students to listen to. Michel gives you the phrase in English and then in French. You have to pause and answer in between to get the best out of the recordings.

I still have to think out what I am going to say for quite a long time but with practice I will become quicker and at least now I know that I can repond to a French person in French when I'm in Paris.

I found the booklet with all the phrases written down very useful as French is not as phonetic as Spanish or Italian.

I have only two complaints, one is that an awful lot is crammed in to these two hour recordings. Perhaps it could have been done a bit more slowly giving the student a bit more time to consolidate the knowledge gained. The second is that this method only teaches the structure of the language, you are not able to count and you lack the required nouns to speak the language properly. I suppose this could be remedied by buying vocab book (boring) but it would be much better if Michel covered this in addition to the structure of the language.

In addition a more advanced 8 hour course is required to supplement what is learned in this language builder. Reading the comments of other students I hope that Hodder and Stoughton (publishers) take notice and ask Michel to come back and do more.

WARNING!!
Firstly, let me say I am a huge fan of the Michel Thomas method, and found his 8-hr French course an absolute joy. This Language Builder, however, is not what you might be expecting. The 8-hr course is lacking in two basic things - simple vocabulary (bread, apple, up, down, one, two, etc) and the past tense. It is touched on very swiftly towards the end of the final tape, but only with can/could, want/wanted and must/had to. I was hoping that the Language Builder would continue with more of the same teaching method and fill in these two missing areas. Unfortunately not - it is simply Michel reading out a phrase book, and very quickly at that. Without your finger on the pause button, it is very difficult to follow - which makes it impossible to use doing the housework, or driving the car. Michel's method in the 8-hr course is completely ignored, there is no variety of examples, and you need to listen over and over, doing exactly what you are not supposed to - memorising and learning by rote. I'm not saying it's a bad course - but it's nothing like the 8-hr tapes. If you think it's going to be, be prepared for a disappointment.

His method works for me.
I suppose you either love Michel Thomas's method or you hate it. Personally I find it brilliant. He simply teaches you to create simple phrases and sentences, in such a way that you learn the essential grammar of the language. This language builder course is really an essential addition to his 8 disk series. You do need these phrases and vocabulary in order that you have some French to work with when you go abroad.

The best thing is that he makes learning fun, and encourages you to keep on with the language.

If he brings out some more I will buy them.