loisco

Thanks to all who recommended them. I got the Basic French audio cassettes (8) from the library. Now I am ready to move on. My question .... is the Basic French enough for me to spend 7 weeks in France??..or should I move on to the next level?..The library doesn't have French I II or III, just these basic cassettes...The next levels are very expensive to buy.

Thanks.

Judy_in_Calgary

>>>>>>is the Basic French enough for me to spend 7 weeks in France??<<<<<<

I don't know that anyone can answer this question for you. In my opinion one can go to any country without any knowledge of its language and survive. But the greater one's fluency in the local language, the greater one's degree of satisfaction, in my experience.

Anyway, I was going to suggest buying the Pimsleur French I tapes on E-Bay, and then selling them there when you're finished, and so on with II and III if and when the time comes.

However, a Google search brought up a place called Lingo Shop that supposedly buys back your tapes when you're finished with them, and that route looks as if it's much cheaper than buying the tapes and keeping them. I know nothing about Lingo Shop other than the fact that I found them on the Internet.

http://www.lingoshop.com/french/cour...ge_courses.htm

But I still think E-Bay is worth considering too.

Hope that helps.

kamahinaohoku

I bought French 1 :-?, and later found this website (which is considerably cheaper!):

http://www.language-programs.com/


I don't think I'd be prepared for 7 weeks in France with the original 8 tapes.

loisco

I think I will try Ebay. I have never used EBay... I did check out Lingo Shop. Not sure about it..but it's interesting.The return policy is not that clear but you buy the tape at full price and then get a credit??..or I think a check to buy more.

By the way..almost had an auto accident with those cassette tapes. I got so busy following the tapes and saying the words..I lost track of traffic. They are great. But maybe because I had so much French in school it makes it easier for me..who knows.

Anway. Thanks.

Huitres

No sense buying the tapes if you can check them out at the public library. If your branch doesn't have the next sets, they can call around and borrow them from other branches within the system. I managed to procure all sets of a language series when my library didn't have them past the basic level.

I am not sure how "basic" the Basic French was, but it should suffice for ordinary salutations/greetings and also basic questions like "how much is this?" "where is the restaurant?" during your 7 week trip.

I recommend bringing along a good pocket dictionary. A small, inobstrusive dictionary that can fit in your pocket is: Langenscheidt's Universal Dictionary in English-French and French-English (the book is divided as such) and is very discreet if you have to sneak peek a word quickly! These dictionaries are $5.95 each and are sold at Barnes & Noble, Borders Book Stores, etc.

loisco

Thanks for the info..can't seem to find the language tapes I want at other libraries here either. (am in San Diego). I went online to check. They all just seem to have the basic one. However, next time I am at my local library I will have the librarian help me. There are other libraries in the county....Merci

loisco

I went on Ebay...pretty exciting. The tapes went from 25 dollars to 100...I am not sure I want to spend that much..

Sue4

I think all three levels are well worth the cost - at least they certainly have been to me (and I didn't get them cheap!) I listen to my tapes frequently, just for review since I don't have an opportunity to speak French at home. Going through these tapes just once is not enough, and I love owning the whole set. The constant repetition is what really helps. By the way, if you aren't prepared to spend $25 to $100 for French language tapes,(on E-Bay) then you don't sound really committed to improving your language skills,IMHO.

tuscanlifeedit

I buy and sell a lot of things on Ebay's company called Half.com

I've also had amazingly good luck with Inter-library loan. My local library branch or online site are the sources I use, and I have borrowed materials from all over the United States. Ask you librarian about Interlibrary loan. It is the greatest!

loisco

I will check on the interlibrary loan..have to wait till after New Years as our libraries are all closed.(budget problems). I use the library a lot...get all my books through the online reserve system.

Unfortunately my husband went out and bought me a French program on cd without my asking. I can use that one too but it is sooo complicated I am having trouble finding my way through it ..

I love the Pimsleur beginner tapes. All my high school and college French help but it's the pronunciation I need and the tapes are just great for doing that.

Thanks all for the help...

loisco

Well I decided to take the plunge and buy the Pimsleur tapes..I am getting them from lingoshop with a buy back provision...

Thanks for directing me to the site. Looks like the ebay one is not gone..hasn't met the reserve.

ninasdream

When I bought my Pimsleur cd's it came with a coupon for $50 off the more extensive lesson packages. That may help even out the expense if you decide to step up another level. I don't really find that libraries have a selection, and not much beyond basic conversation or business-trip lessons. Good luck!

Beatle

Just a question- Does anyone know if these tapes were created by Paul Pimsleur- an educator at SUNY Albany. Thanks...

cparris

I just looked on http://www.language-programs.com/ he did teach at Suny Albany. They have the 16 CD set for French 1 for $148. Does that sound like a good price. It sounds from a previous post that the basic is different from the French 1 ?? I am pretty much a beginner...I have used the Michael Thomas cd's. How difficult is the French 1. I don't see anything on that web site that there is a 8 cd basic program?? Thanks

loisco

Well the one I have out from the library is called Pimsleur Language Program and on the bottom it says, Hear it Learn it Speak it. It's 8 cassettes and/or 8 cds. I have both. I put it on my IPOD!!!

The one I am ordering has 30 cds...! It was either that or a new purse.

Christina

Pimsleur markets the same tapes under a variety of names since they were bought out by some big company (forget the name). The basic set of 8 lessons is simply the first 8 lessons of the larger set, so unfortunately, buying both is redundant.

I think the first 8 lessons are extremely minimal, but can help someone learn a few words and get used to the sound. One of the folks on that set talks extremely fast (the woman, as I recall) for a beginner set. I don't think Pimsleur French is their best product, but probably as good as many other language CDs. It's too bad your library doesn't have them. A lot of people pay full retail price or just about on e-Bay, they don't know what they retail for, I guess.

YOu can get better deals on e-Bay if you are willing to buy the tapes and not CDs.

Sue4

Loisco, I really think you will be pleased with the 30-tape set, and glad you bought them. They are so easy to use, and even after you have gone through the whole course, you can keep reviewing anytime you feel like it. I get mine out every few months, and enjoy with my early morning coffee! However, for review I skip the French I tapes, as they are extremely basic. Have fun, and keep us posted as to how you did with them.

loisco

Sue...I am putting the cds on my ipod so when I travel I can review them. They should be here by Tuesday.

Thanks for the encouragement.

loisco

My Pimsleur program arrived...I have transferred them to my IPod. Actually it is called French I and there are 16 cds. When I am done Lingo Shop will do a buy back on them. They are certainly packaged beautifully...

Thanks for the recommendations..

Sue4

Loisco, glad to hear you have them and are ready to get started. I bet you will want the French II and III programs after you finish French I. Wish I had an Ipod! I'm from the generation who would have to get my teenage grandson to show me how to use it!