Product Description
This is the second part in the Chinese multimedia language resource series on CD-ROM. It includes hundreds of short stories, dialogs, Chinese idioms, proverbs, songs, poems, & geographical terms (cross-cultural content), Chinese & English translations of the exercises, thirty (beginner)/twenty (intermediate) lively lessons & listening drills to help users learn grammar patterns. Each lesson includes brief explanations on grammatical patterns & expressions, drills to help users learn Chinese characters & pronunciation, type-and-answer questions, English & Chinese translations of recordings, matching exercises, drills using the Pinyin spelling system. System requirements: Windows 95 or higher with sound card. This title includes two CD-ROMs. ... Read more

Product Description
The second edition of Vis-a-vis continues the excitement of the innovative first edition with a fully integrated and revised multimedia package and an exciting Correspondance feature (chapter opening letter, postcard or e-mail, which is answered in the mid-lesson Correspondance cultural spread) presented throughout the text. The overall goal of the revision, which was shaped by the extensive user feedback, remains the same as that of the first edition: to promote a balanced four-skills approach to learning French through a wide variety of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, while introducing students to the richness and diversity of the Francophone world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Learning French
Vis a Vis is the language book I used for my first year of college French. The instructor I had for French class only used the text for vocabulary and some of the verb charts. He also made us memorize some of the postcards in this book, much to the chagrin of many in class. His favorite method of instruction was having the class translate endless numbers of sentences, a process I thought was pretty effective in learning French grammar. I relied on the book to review examples of the sentences from class. I rarely used the exercises in the book, although the ones I did use seemed to be pretty effective learning aids. I still believe the best way to learn a language is total immersion in that language and culture (to learn French, live in France). Since it isn't easy to live in Europe without a job or lots of money, most of us have to rely on books like Vis a Vis. The book is similar to the one I used for Spanish in high school: lots of pictures and French text that explain French culture. I recommend auxiliary texts such as 501 French verbs and a LaRousse dictionary along with this book, or any other introductory French language book. The verb tables in the back of Vis a Vis are inadequate for truly learning the gist of verb conjugation. French is tough, and to learn it you will need all the help you can get.

excellent CD ROm to accompany book
We used this book for our beginning French classes at Stanford continuing studies.The one flaw with the book is that the grammar is kind of all over the place so it's hard to use as a reference.However, the book has a lot of good information and is very fun to use and read.The CD ROM is absolutely fantastic!!You follow the day to day lives of four French student/actors.They speak clearly and there's text to accompany the video scenes.The CD ROM made studying very fun.I'm trying to find something like this at the advanced level.Please email me if you have suggestions!

A great textbook for classroom use
Salut!I used this book for two semesters worth of beginning French class at a university, and must say that if used with the proper teaching skills, students can certainly excell quickly in learning this fantastic language.There is a cassette tape included that helps develop troublesome accents for newbies to French, and after reviewing the book once again after having taken the class about a year ago, I have even more appreciation for both the book and the language it instructs.It contains conjugations in all forms, great lessons, eye-pleasing references, problem issues with different words, and a great gradual learning process to keep the interest of students first learning this beautiful language.I would certainly recommend any French teacher or professor to examine a copy and quite soon I think they will agree with me.This book is great!

<<Vis-`a-Vis>> - A sensible partner in understanding French
Vis-`a-vis uses many different approaches in its introductionof French that are both coulourful and multi-disciplined.Theseapproaches include video and audio tape, web pages, many angles ofapproach within the text and (so I have read) a CD ROM.I find myselfstudying, willingly, and accessing the information readily.I do wishtheir web page had more basic exercises and I am having troublefinding their CD ROM.However, the book is very fun, encouraging meto explore and absorb as much as I can.At 44, I am an older studentthan the rest of my class, but I feel the book is helping me keep upwith the lessons very well.GregRobin Smith (University ofWashington).

GreatBook
This book is one that has helped me develop my comprehension of the french language.The workbook and cassette helped me to develop my speech and accent. ... Read more

Product Description
Fokus Deutsch offers a powerful new resource for teaching beginning and intermediate German. This dynamic new three-level program carefully integrates videos, texts, audio and other supplements to bring German language, history and culture into focus for students.Fokus Deutsch was created through a collaboration of the Annenberg/CPB project, WGBH/Boston, and the McGraw-Hill Companies - the trio who also created Destinos, Nuevos Destinos, and Connect with English - along with Inter Nationes and the Goethe-Institut.The result is an original and engaging program that immerses students in the reality of German life, history, and culture. The comprehensive package for Fokus Deutsch also includes such multimedia supplements as a CD-ROM resource for instructors and a text specific website! In short, Fokus Deutsch is a comprehensive, well-organized program that integrates video, audio print and technology as effectively as it integrates language, drama, culture, and history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Totally unsatisfactory
The order I received was incomplete, listening comprehension audio CD was not included.The book had writing in both pen and pencil on many pages.I sent three requests via email to seller and one to Amazon with no response so far.

A totally unsatisfactory transaction.

If I'm not mistaken...False Advertisement?
I received the book, and it is in good condition, but there is no CD(s) with it.I had a hard enough time finding the workbook on its own. I feel the CDs, which follow parts of the workbook, would have been very helpful.This is my education, my future, and I would have liked to know before I made the purchase that something was missing.
Here it mentions the CD, I thought it was mentioned in my description. Please let me know if the CD was suppose to be included.

Thank You

Fokus Deutsch Book Review
The book was delivered to me complete and in the condition that it was sold to me in. I would recommend and use this seller for future transactions.
... Read more

Product Description
Motivos de conversacion, among the briefest texts available for introductory Spanish, introduces students to the essentials of Spanish grammar, vocabulary and culture.Its hallmarks are a simple, easy to follow organization, a strong emphasis on culture and a complete package of supplementary support materials. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent
This product was exactly what the seller said it was.She e-mailed me promptly with the answers to my questions about this product before I purchased it.

I will never use this vender again.
I received the book and it was in bad shape - pages torn, gum residue, pencil marks throughout, and it was extremely worn.

Since I was pressed for time to complete my assignments I keep the book; however, I will NEVER get anything from this vender again.

This was an individual seller.Simply awful!!!

Most impressed!
I was pleased with my purchase.I received a book in almost new condition.I was expecting the worse but got the best.

Never again!!!
Well, to start, I got this got this book two days ago. It came about three weeks after I had originally ordered it. Mind you that this product was coming from one state away and in the time it took to arrive I could have walked there and back several times over. Furthermore, I am a college student and not having this book for three weeks left me unable to study for two tests nor able to do my homework for almost a month. I tried to reach the seller on three different occasions and never received a response from them. The product was not up to the descriptions standards, but was in fair enough conditions and I would personally never do business with this seller again.

Motivos De Conversacion: Essentials of Spanish
I used this book in a 1st year college course and found it to be verythorough in it's content, It did not assume I already new the basics butexplained every section thoroughly. I recomend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Speaking Clearly aims to help intermediate and advanced learners of English overcome problems of understanding and being understood by other speakers of English. Speaking Clearly:- Integrates pronunciation and listening- Provides systematic ear-training and practice from individual words and sounds to longer stretches of speech- Contains diagnostic tests- Explains phonological features in clear, non-technical terms ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Systematic and Thorough, Nuts-n-Bolts yet Non-Technical
A systematic and pretty thorough presentation of spoken English.Nuts-n-bolts, yet fairly non-technical:

syllables, stress, stress patterns,pitch change, syllable length, syllable structure, vowel quality, word stress, content words, structure words, rhythm, sentence structure, reductions, contractions, verb auxiliaries, disappearing syllables, consonant clusters, linking-consonant-to-vowel, linking-vowel to vowel, sentence focus, correcting information, checking information, asking for repetition, thought groups, pitch range, pitch curves, voicing, voicing and syllable length, stops and continuants, aspiration(puff of air-p,t,k.)consonant sound contrasts, vowel sound contrasts

listening difficulties, listening accuracy, comprehension, getting key information, taking notes, following structure, keeping track

From the introduction:"It is not necessary to pronounce every sound perfectly to be understood-only a few parts of each sentence are really important, but these parts are essential.The native speaker depends on hearing these parts clearly, therefore you need to know which parts of a sentence must be clear and how to make them clear." ... Read more

Product Description
This classroom pack of 10 cassettes has been designed to accompany a Spanish language course for fourth and fifth-year students following GCSE courses. The cassettes consist of unscripted dialogues and interviews recorded in Spain. ... Read more

Product Description
A GCSE German language course. A cassette is also available. ... Read more

Product Description
Put the best comprehension builders from the popular Short, Short Stories for Reading Aloud to work in your classroom. These exciting high-interest stories will grab students' attention, and there's no teacher prep required. *Spend 15 minutes reading a story aloud.*Ask the engaging follow-up questions.*Watch students' comprehension skills soar. ... Read more

Product Description
Listening Comprehension Audio CD Program to accompany Destinos 2nd Edition, of the Alternate Edition. For use with the Destinos Textbook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

CDs for Alternate Edition Textbook, Not Workbook
These CDs are for the Second Edition of the Alternate Edition of the Destinos textbook.Personally, I'd purchased this to use with the workbook.Apparently one needs ISDN 0072504382 for that.Wish I'd known. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is intensive listening comprehension course for beginner to advanced beginner-level students. It makes learning Korean as well as listening to Korean easy and fun. This book is intended to help the learner listen for meaning not listen to every word to do a task but the overall message of what someone is saying. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

only a drop in the bucket, but that's about all we have
Korean listening comprehension is an extremely difficult task.There is a serious need for instruction materials in this area, and publishers are doing very little to meet this need.

This volume 1 is easy to use, but it goes only a short way toward meeting the student's needs.

Both volume 1 and 2 of this series seem to be out of print, and volume 2 seems to be unavailable anywhere.

Meanwhile, the same publisher has published another listening course (1565912470) which is ten times too difficult.Why they have done that is known only to the publisher and God.

One more word: Don't buy both this item and "Elementary Task-Cenetered LIstening Comprehension of Korean" (1565910265).The two items differ only in title. ... Read more

Product Description
This video-based text for Beginning Spanish underscores McGraw-Hill's reputation for developing groundbreaking language materials. Based on 26 hours of an engaging video drama that takes viewers around the Spanish-speaking world, Destinos is an effective program that can be used successfully in Spanish classes, as a college course for distant learners, and by individuals studying on their own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

the seller was excellent, the book was just perfect
the seller was excellent, the book was just perfect, actually I had a new one instead of a used in a very good condition.

Danielle Bly
I would not hesitate for a moment to buy anything from Danielle Bly. I received EXCELLENT SERVICE from her. The Destinos Student Workbook I ordered was in excellent condition when it arrived and I received even MORE than I expected - great value for the money.
Danny Reeves

So simple to understand
I purchased Destinos Student Edition for my spanish class I was taking online. The material is so easy to follow and understand as well as interesting. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning a second language.

Destino's Spanish
Wonderful story line, easy to follow.In my opinion, not for the beginning beginner, but perfect for one who has had a year or two of basic spanish.Also great that you can watch the videos for free online and at your leisure.

good deal
This product was shipped to my son, who was very pleased. The packaged came with everything that was advertised.It turned out to be a good deal. ... Read more

Product Description
Fokus Deutsch offers a powerful new resource for teaching beginning and intermediate German. This dynamic new three-level program carefully integrates videos, texts, audio and other supplements to bring German language, history and culture into focus for students.Fokus Deutsch was created through a collaboration of the Annenberg/CPB project, WGBH/Boston, and the McGraw-Hill Companies - the trio who also created Destinos, Nuevos Destinos, and Connect with English - along with Inter Nationes and the Goethe-Institut.The result is an original and engaging program that immerses students in the reality of German life, history, and culture. The comprehensive package for Fokus Deutsch also includes such multimedia supplements as a CD-ROM resource for instructors and a text specific website! In short, Fokus Deutsch is a comprehensive, well-organized program that integrates video, audio print and technology as effectively as it integrates language, drama, culture, and history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Excellent Learning Tool
I'm a college student using this text, lab manual, and audio CD accompnaiment.I had taken German previously, but the text was difficult to understand and the layout didn't seem to make sense.This book teaches the German language in a layout that makes the learning process flow more smoothly.Each topic builds on the last, and the exercises are challenging yet excellent practice for what was learned.The text not only teaches vocabulary and grammar, but also the German culture and day-to-day German life.The Audio accompniment is an excellent addition to the text because it helps you build on your listening skills and actually hear the correct pronunciation of the words you've learned by many different voices, so you're not hearing one voice repetitively. ... Read more

Product Description
Deux mondes is widely regarded as the most communicative text available for beginning French courses.Based on the Natural Approach, developed by Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen, Deux mondes, Fourth Edition offers beginning language students a way to develop language proficiency, especially in listening and speaking, that allows students to participate in real conversations at a very early stage. The Natural Approach in general, and Deux mondes, Fourth Edition in particular, present material inductively (so that the activities drive the grammar) and in the context of culturally rich themes and topics.This text clearly sets itself apart from the competition: with Deux mondes, students quickly become excited with their rapid growth in comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, and enjoy speaking in the non-threatening environment made possible by the activity formats. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Accesible french for you!
I've studied college French for 3 years and taken French 1 and 2 twice. Of all the text books used I find this one the most accessible. Yes its sometimes silly and yes all the topics are geared towards learners 18-28 (I'm in my late 40's), however, the grammatical organization of the blue pages and the topical vocabulary lists are invaluable. Some have complained that there are grammatical errors. A few typos yes, but not really grammatical errors so much as not quite telling the whole truth to a beginner, because doing so would make approaching the material overwhelming. When you get past French 3 and 4 and keep at it trying to become a half way decent french speaker, one discovers that while all the grammar is more or less presented by French 3 -its much more in depth and flushed out as you delve a bit deeper and by the time you've made your way into French 4 and beyond, you're pretty committed so finding out its a bit more complex than you thought, doesn't put you off your entire adventure and dream to speak French relatively well.

Because of its clarity and simplicity and direct access to grammar via the blue pages, this is an excellent resource. Lots of exercises per chapter as well to grease your wheels and get them turning. EAsy snapshot essays of French peoples lives are insightful and peppered throughout the topically organized chapters. I still use this text to refer back to when I get into sticky grammatical questions of "when this rule vs when this rule". I've posted sticky notes that extend outside of the chapters like tabs w/subtitles of grammar covered in that chapter so I can just open the book quickly to where I need to get to. With the work book you'll get lots of practice and the cd's more if you want, but as a stand alone reference this text will assist the adult learner in their aspiration to speak French.

No Audio CD
This item appeared in the description to include an audio CD for listening comprehension, but I received no CD.The book is in good condition.

Great methodology, poor editing
I used both the 4th edition and its predecessor.I really liked the way that the "white pages" are all in French and the "blue pages" have grammatical explanations in English.My satisfaction rate was very high with this product...until I went to France to teach for a year.My French exchange partner alerted me to the myriad of errors, anglicisms, and outdated or incorrect pictures in the text.I loved the methodology (in spite of its lack of cultural information), but I would recommend that McGraw Hill correct the errors. ... Read more

Product Description
Student activities reproducible for classroom use ... Read more

Product Description
7 CDS (Software Only)to accompany Destinos- Alternate Edition, 2nd Edition. ... Read more