Learning to speak Italian, audio program for iPhone
 

I just downloaded the Michel Thomas hour one for $4.99. Has anyone done these?

I searched earlier posts and found out about it. Looking for something to listen to while I walk, no paper, and not trying to be too academic about it. But seemed like a good price and decent recommendations.

I've had five years of HS and college French, not got a great ear, but who knows!! It's been a long time since, and would like to have a bit of the language before our December trip. I do have a HS teacher who I can take a few lessons with, but would like to be somewhat cost conscious with this, and right now can't do a formal cc class.

Any better recommendation? Any thoughts on his product?

No idea about that product as I don't need Italian instruction, but my SO has had great results with the free News in Slow French series (which is also available in News in Slow...fill in your language) and the online free BBC language programs

I have used both Michel Thomas and Pimsleur. They both use a type of graduated interval recall method. They don't have much overlap. I would use both. Michel Thomas is more into grammar while Pimsleur is stronger in pronunciation and the language flow. If you are cost conscious, the first place is to look for is your public library. I belong to two different county library systems and between them, I can borrow almost anything I am looking for. Why can you not do a formal cc class? I have done that also as well as a language class in Italy. There are also online one-on-one lessons delivered by Skype.

I have Michele Thomas for German. It's a good product but for it to work, you do have to "participate" so you might look kinda silly walking down the street saying "Un espresso per favore".

The thing about his series (and Pimsleur) is that it is not something you can just put on and listen to while you do whatever -- you have to pay attention. I mean really pay attention.

I'm a big Michel [no e] Thomas fan, having used him for both Italian [which I took on further] and spanish, which I only use for holidays, but still find very useful and long-lasting.

I haven't used the i-phone app; if you like it as a taster you may find the full beginner's class CDs in the library or on e-bay. [make sure that you check if you are getting cds or cassette tapes]. I used mine in the car albeit on a drive to work so perhaps my concentration levels were not stretched too far.

my one disagreement with him is that he says you should never repeat. I have repeated the advanced italian several times and I always find something useful in it, if only the sheer repetition of phrases that I can now trot out without thinking, even when under pressure.

of course it would be a good idea to supplement it with one2one or whatever else you can find, but even by itself, it's a good start.

stcrq, I will check that out, I haven't heard of it. I presume you mean it is the news spoken slowly?? if so, that is great once I am a bit past counting to ten!!

greg, I will check out the Pimsleur method too. I did the first download on MT, and really liked it. That would be good for some variety. I presume that they have podcast or iPhone app? I will let you know what I find out.

spark, well I guess I looked a bit silly walking and talking, but, I must have ADD, but I really could concentrate pretty well walking. It kept me 'busy' so I could listen closely. Otherwise I know I would fiddle and not pay attention! I must say, I recommend it. And, don't much care what people think while I'm out there...there are all kinds!!

Annhig, good to know the rec on MT. I did like it, very good app, so far. Even this first download, has about 8 sections, and I figure if I could get just THAT down, I would be way ahead of the game. I walk a lot...5 miles a day? And it seems like such wasted time (type A here!) that I am excited to have something to do!!! I could really concentrate for most the time, then the rest I listened to closely but did not try to learn, thought I'd just hear it for awhile...surely 10 hours a week on this and I ought to get somewhere! Library closed today but I will try tomorrow and see what they have, but know I have to have it on my phone to really have easy access. sitting still listening to tapes (and I don't drive much, otherwise LOVE that!!) is something I couldn't commit to. Nor classes at school right now...too many kiddo constraints!

Thanks all, I'll keep you posted!!! Ciao!!

Not a direct response to your question, but I HIGHLY recommend the Ascendo Italian-English dictionary app for iPhone. Not a big expense. As an intermediate/advanced student, I find that there is always tons more vocab to know. When I find myself waiting somewhere, I like to quiz myself or think of new words to look up or just scroll thru. It pronounces the word if you want. It does verb conjugations as well--just strangely missing the imperative! In bocca al lupo!

bsquared, thanks for the tip, I will check it out!!! Apps are such a handy way to learn things. For those few minutes when I would play WWF, now I can do something a bit more productive!! Thanks