Books : Spanish With Michel Thomas Short Course CD

Rating: - Fantastic resource for anyone looking to learn Spanish fast
Last year I went away to South America for several months. Having no experience of Spanish before I left I went out and purchased Michel Thomas's Spanish course. It was money well spent. After listening to only the first 3 cd's I was confident enough to go out on my own, shopping and sightseeing and conversing with the locals. By the end of my trip I was next to fluent, something which would never have been possible without these CD's. Michel's methods are revolutionary and I highly recommend this course.

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Rating: - Excellent introduction for the money
This is a very good way to get started in Spanish. I came to this course with no previous knowledge of the language, and I feel I've learned loads. It won't make you fluent, and you'll need more vocab than it's possible to provide in an 8-CD course, but if you think of how much you can pay at language schools, I think you'll find it's good value for an introduction.

I agree with a previous review that it may have helped to get a native Spanish speaker to record it, but there is the question of the fact that Michel Thomas has his own particular style. Maybe a little authenticity of accent can be sacrificed for that. (I haven't heard the French course, but the allegation that his French accent is bad is bizarre, because, erm, he is French!)

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Rating: - Terrible accent
Unfortunately I bought this in Spanish and French. Michel Thomas has a terrible accent in both languages and sounds so nervous (his dry mouth is audible) that it is very distracting from the learning process. Learning a language should start first of all w/ correct pronounciation. He should hire a native speaker to tape his works instead of saving money and doing it himself.

Extremely unprofessional. Wish I could get my money back....

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Rating: - FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALMOST GIVEN UP
AFTER VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TO LEARN SPANISH I TRIED MICHEL THOMAS AND WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. SUDDENLY ALL THE THINGS I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WERE SIMPLE AND CLEAR. AFTER THIS COURSE I CAN SPEAK CONFIDENTLY IN SPANISH. THERE IS NO PAPERWORK OR HOMEWORK ONLY LISTENING AND SPEAKING AT YOUR OWN PACE. WHAT AN INSPERATION.

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Rating: - Excellent
I have studied Spanish at local colleges but nothing compares with the efficiency of this CD course. Michel Thomas gets right to the heart of learning a language. Most Language courses concentrate on teaching people how to buy a pint of beer or ask where the nearest cafe is. This CD course puts "parrot fashion" teaching right where it belongs - in the dustbin!
I am now learning, with the help of Michel Thomas,
how to speak Spanish and not merely how to memorise a phrase book. I have currently ordered the German Course from Hodder & Stoughton because I know that if Michel Thomas is anything to do with it, then it will be worthwhile.