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 Surprise your Korean Friends! Dec 21, 2008
I understand it takes 21 days of repetition to get words into your long term memory. I believe this progam will help do that job!
I liked the program so much, I wish I had initially bought the higher level "Conversational Korean" program instead!! Now, in addition to this program, I've purchased the Comprehensive Level 1 program.
Pimsleur Korean Basic Program
Pro's
Simplifys grammar and vocabulary which are taught together!
Repeats some of previous lesson in the next so you don't forget!
Uses practical everyday words that one might use in conversation!
Can learn while driving etc. as no need for text!
Sticks with same level of politeness (there are four levels in Korean)!
Con's
Can't understand a Korean friend speaking--this level too basic
6,7,10,11 and 12 o'clock not taught--must purchase higher level course.
No text to verify pronuciation as some words hard to hear correctly.
The last above is my one pet peeve! As the words are hard to look up in a Korean Dictonary--especially the verbs. For example: In Korean "Mo-Tao" Pimsleur says is "I don't speak". But according to a Korean friend it means "Not do" (the "I" is implied--and "speak" is too for that matter!). And comes from the root verb "Ha-da". I'd never have tried to look up Hada to learn how to pronounce "Mo-Tao"!!!!
If you buy other courses and have more than one (I have bought 4 for reference), the level of politeness may not be the same!! As Korean has 4 levels--Formal: used in public speaking or speaking to someone new for the first time. Polite: which is used for speaking to adults and is probably the best to learn, as Pimsleur uses it. Intimate and then plain. And plain is used only when speaking to children or say friends? I think and will be an insult if used with people of higher importance.
Lastly, If you purchase the higher level programs Comprehensive 1 or 2 on CD from [...] (I got for almost 50% off compared to Pimsleur's web site) you can also sell the programs back to them and save a bunch of money!
Good Luck!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
I wish I had known about this sooner! Jul 17, 2008
I downloaded lessons 1 through 5 (via Itunes) and while I wish it were more reasonably priced, I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase.
My motivation for learning this language is so that I can communicate with the Korean side of my family (People are always surprised when they learn that I can't already, since I am first generation Korean.) So far, I am convinced that this audio is helping me reach my goal.
The directions state that you should continue with the same lesson until you feel comfortable with about 80% of the course content. I reached an 80% comfort level after having participated in Lesson 1 about eight+ times over the course of several days. I know that sounds like a lot, but it really did not feel that way. I practiced while driving to and from the office, while doing light house work, and once while watching my step-sons soccer practice. I'm certain that if I were to dedicate time to focus on a lesson without distractions, it would not take me nearly as long.
One problem that I have is that I can't fast forward through a lesson plan on my Ipod (you can only fast forward or rewind back to the very beginning of available lessons). There were a few instances where I was unable to complete the full lesson and later had to go through it all over again, just to reach the end. Sure.. it was great 'additional' reinforcement - but a little frustrating at times.
Overall, my experience with this language tool has been a positive one. So much so that I went out and purchased my father his own Ipod so he too could learn Korean with this program (I just surprised him with it last night, so I'm anxiously awaiting his opinion of it.) My mother is very impressed with my pronunciation of the words and phrases I've learned, which I think is a very good sign indeed! As soon as I complete all 5 lessons, I will purchase more lessons for use. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an easy introduction to the Korean language.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Helpful but not always relevant Jun 29, 2008
So far I have only listened to one lesson. I feel like I learned the words and they were stored in my short term memory, but not my long term memory as it claims they will be. Maybe it is because I only heard the lesson once and didn't continue. Also the first lesson teaches you to say "excuse me do you speak English, no I speak Korean, and I come from America" I did retain the words for Korean and excuse me. When you are in town doing errands you don't really need to know these words first. First you need to know hello, goodbye, thank you, how much does it cost and other things like this. Maybe the CD is for people who are just visiting, but I moved here 2 weeks ago knowing no Korean. Now that I can use most of the words I listed above to actually interact with people maybe then I can start to use the words and phrases in the CD series. I reccommend you use this plus a dictionary and phrasebook so you can look up the words you are saying to see how they are spelled and get an idea of how to pronounce other words if you see them written. I think it is a good technique to learn by listening but for me the pace goes a bit fast and I have to pause the CD to repeat the phrase they are asking for. They ask you to repeat a phrase from the beginning of the lesson after they have just taught you a different phrase. This can be challenging and takes more time for me than the CD allows. I think it depends also on what type of learner you are: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or reader/writer. Maybe I'm more of a kinesthetic learner. Once you find this out, it will help you pick out the best materials to learn anything, including Korean. Good luck learning Korean!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Worth the money! Mar 24, 2008
The repetition provided in the CD, pace and style of teaching is truly helpful for a beginner who's learning the language for the very first time. Unlike some other programs which teaches at a very fast pace, making one feels lost and confused, this one allows you time to memorize and digest what you've learn. Overall, I am truly impressed and will recommend it to everyone!
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Not bad at all!! Mar 06, 2008
I purchased two different CDs at the same time. I started with the 2nd of my two purchases, leaving "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs" aside, as it looked to be more daunting in appearance. I put in the other CD and after 5 minutes, ejected it, and replaced it with "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs."
Wow, what a difference between the two products!! Within five minutes, I was able to capture a couple of very useful phrases. The program breaks down each phrase into small bits that you repeat out loud. After a couple of repetitions of each bit of language, each one building into a complete phrase, you are asked to repeat the entire phrase. Phrases build upon themselves until you have mastered a situation like; "Excuse me, do you speak English?" I'm genuinely impressed with the quality of instruction provided on the CDs and I am looking forward to future lessons! The set comes in a nice CD case and is broken down into several separate lessons, two lessons to a CD. I'd recommend "Basic Korean: Learn to Speak and Understand Korean with Pimsleur Language Programs." to anyone who wants to learn with using a CD, without books and such.! I plan to continue to study each day during my commute to work.
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