Languages > Korean > Korean I, Comprehensive

Comments about Korean Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I've been married to a Korean woman for many years, but I never tried to learn the language because I had failed so miserably at Spanish and French classes in high school and college. But the Pimsleur tapes are so relaxing and fun, and I'm learning much faster than I ever did from those language classes. Via the Pimsleur method Korean actually seems far easier than Spanish. And, because of the focus on pronouncing the words correctly, my wife has been amazed at how clearly I speak Korean. She says it makes me sound so intelligent. And, let me tell you, anything that can get my wife telling me I'm very intelligent is an amazing product!

Comments about Korean Phase 1, Units 1-30:

The product design and production quality are both fantastic. The daily regimen is perfect for acquiring basic communication ability. The format is just challenging enough, and facilitates long term recall.

Service and delivery comments:

It is geared too much toward the business man. Too much time was spent on what I considered "kissing up to colleagues" as opposed to functional skills.

I would change the product by starting with mastery of the two most important travel skills- ordering food and tickets. The simulations conversation could be held with waiters and cashiers. Perhaps they are also acquaintances, which would be a nice segue into greetings and nicities.

Here's my suggested order of curriculum:
1) Everything food related
2) Everything accomodation related (hotels, hostels, apartments, houses, etc...)
3) Travel/Ticket related
4) Service related (Spa, Gym, Dentist, etc)
5) Telling people about your family
6) Making friends/kissing up to coworkers

Comments about Korean Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I've been using this product for a few weeks now. Listen to it regularly when making my hour commute each way to work in the mornings and afternoons. Sometimes I forget about it as I get wrapped up in the music so I am only just beginning lesson 5 but am impressed so far. I make plenty of mistakes but realize them as I am going and the narrator's assistant say the correct phrase. I would have been happier with a little bit of different subject matter through the first 4 lessons but will not complain. My daughter loves it. We are excited to be moving to Korea this winter and this is making the move much easier on my family.

Comments about Korean Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I have bought Korean phases 1 and 2 and usually listened to them while I am driving and when I do my daily walk. The audio learning programs really appeal to me as I am time poor but really enjoy learning a foreign language. For me text books based learning is far less effective for the same amount of time I spend. I also like how I can use the phrases just learned on all my Korean friends straight away. It has been so much fun. One thing I would like to see change a little for the next edition, is perhaps just a bit more grammar explanation on the tenses. It seems when the Korean 'be' verbs conjugate, they still sound very similar. A bit confusing. But the primary reason I am giving the product a four star not a five, is because I have just been told Simon & Schuster currently has no plans making Korean phase 3. I am not happy about that. I want Korean phase 3!

Comments about Korean Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I use this product every day. I started to use it but then quit because I own the cds and it is a little hard to transport. After a year of having it, i finally just bought a portable cd player. I am starting to use it again, and wish that i had had a portable cd player when i got it. The only problem that i have with it is that some of the phrases used are too formal/ out of date/people look at me weird when i say them. It might be the fact that it teaches you the most formal ways to say everything. I think that if you are going to use this, you should also learn some less formal words/slang to help you sound more natural. But, it definitely helps you to learn the language fast and effectively. Also, the fact that you need to speak out loud is a little embarrassing, so you can't really go for a walk/run/use it in public. I tend to just use it while i'm relaxing at home in my room by myself. It teaches a lot about travelling specifically in Seoul, so if you are just going to be visiting there it is a great tool. Some of the lessons were pointless to me because i have no interest in the Drinking culture, but it helps a lot if you are. I STRONGLY recommend using it to learn to read hangeul. It works great though and i really love it. If you're trying to decide to get it, it is well worth the money. But i will def. be buying Phase 2 in MP3 format.