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Michel Thomas Method cover art

Summary

Learn another language the way you learnt your own.
You learnt your own language naturally and enjoyably: now you can learn Mandarin Chinese in the same way.

You'll stick with it because you'll love it.
  • Use the unique method perfected over 50 years by the celebrated psychologist and linguist Michel Thomas.
  • This method works with your brain, helping you to build up your Mandarin Chinese in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out the answers for yourself.
  • You learn through listening and speaking: without the pressure of writing or memorising.
  • You pick up the language naturally and unforgettably.

    This is the first two hours of the eight-hour Mandarin Chinese Foundation Course. Join teacher Harold Goodman, native speaker Jingtao Deng and two students in a live lesson and within the first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course.

    Join the millions of people worldwide who have learnt a new language with the Michel Thomas Method.
    •
    Download the accompanying reference guide.
    ©2007 Thomas Keymaster Languages LLC

    Critic reviews

    "A genuinely new way of learning a language." ( Daily Mail)
    "Michel Thomas is a precious find indeed." ( The Guardian)
    "Learning Spanish with Michel was the most extraordinary learning experience of my life: it was unforgettable." (Emma Thompson)

    What listeners say about Michel Thomas Method

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    Audible.co.uk reviews

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    • Overall
      4 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Mike Quinn

    Great Intro but what next?

    This is a fantastic introduction to Mandarin Chinese but it is only the first two hours of an eight hour course.



    At the time of writing Audible are trying to get the other six hours in their library but as yet that is not the case which is a shame as these first two hours had me hooked.



    The only current alternative is to purchase the full and more costly Mandarin course CD's direct from Michel Thomas. Hopefully this changes soon..

    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Kindle Customer

    easiest way to get started with Mandarin

    I tried a couple of audio courses and a live class before trying this course. It was only with this one that I feel I have been able to make a real start with Mandarin. Harold Goodman's introduction takes away one's fears and doubts about the language, dispels the idea it is hard and gives the best explanation of tones I've heard. As all Mandarin words are initially quite foreign, unlike with French, German, etc, it is very helpful that he guides you word by word through your initial attempts to repeat the phrases. With other courses you often hear native speakers rattle off whole phrases and this can make it all seem very hard. Here we really do go step by step. Hearing the two learners struggle to get say the words, followed by the correct speech of the native speaker, provides a contrast that enhances one's ability to distinguish the correct phrase. It's better than just hearing correct speech on its own. It also made me feel, "Well, it's not just me that makes mistakes!".

    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      3 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Phil

    An excellent pronunciation guide

    This audiobook is a great way to learn the pronunciation and rhythm of Mandarin Chinese. Taught in an intuitive if unconventional way you can expect to learn the fundamentals of a language quite unlike most western languages. However, don't expect this to be conversational Chinese. It's not by any means. A little more essential vocabulary would have made this an ideal book, but as it is it's still well worth the listen.

    1 person found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Sara

    Amazing

    I could never imagine just in 2 hours I could not just understand structure of Chinese language but be able to say couple of Chinese sentences, with NO help. Amazing method. I would never start learning language again without Michel Thomas Method.

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Graham

    Mandarin Chinese

    This is probably the best language learning audiobook I have ever come across. Very easy to remember the words. I will be buying more of these..

    • Overall
      4 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Alex

    Michael Thomas - Chinese

    Learn another language the way you learnt your own.

    You learnt your own language naturally and enjoyably: now you can learn Mandarin Chinese in the same way.



    You'll stick with it because you'll love it.

    • Use the unique method perfected over 50 years by the celebrated psychologist and linguist Michel Thomas.



    • This method works with your brain, helping you to build up your Mandarin Chinese in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out the answers for yourself.



    • You learn through listening and speaking: without the pressure of writing or memorising.



    • You pick up the language naturally and unforgettably.

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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Gordon
    • Gordon
    • 09-05-08

    Great way to learn Chinese

    I barely survived French in high school, so I thought there was no way I would really be able to learn a language, but eventually my curiosity and interest got the best of me and I decided to try Chinese since it is structurally easier to learn. Using the Michel Thomas method was a good choice, since I now have a basic understanding of Chinese and would be able to form some basic sentences.

    The only downside to the course is that it's so short. Hopefully the full Foundation course can be made available to download. Also, you will not get much vocabulary from this method, but that's okay because once you know how to put things together, you can easily learn new words as you need them and include them in your speech.

    4 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Michael
    • Michael
    • 29-03-08

    Fantastic

    This is the best Mandarin instruction I've come across; the method is very effective. I've tried Earworms, and a few others (not from Audible). The patience and thoroughness of the course really do make it effortless.

    4 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Ching
    • Ching
    • 27-01-09

    Great way to learn Mandarin

    I downloaded a copy for my husband. Within a few minutes he was pronouncing much better than he has ever done before. I have been trying to teach him for years and he was not able to say the third sound properly. Great way to learn.
    Thank you.

    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Sandy
    • Sandy
    • 29-03-11

    MORE!

    This is a fabulous way to learn Mandarin. The instructor makes it so easy! I REALLY hope audiobooks will get the rest of the series.

    1 person found this helpful

    • Overall
      1 out of 5 stars
    • Performance
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Story
      1 out of 5 stars
    Profile Image for Mary
    • Mary
    • 08-10-12

    Non-intuitive and cumbersome method

    I have previously used both Pimsleur and one other (I can't remember which one) Mandarin language program. I got this one to use as a review and was hopeful to get another aspect of the language and some increased vocabulary. I found this program dull, cumbersome, and completely non-intuitive. At the end of an hour of listening and repeating, I had not learned a single useful phrase. The method of instruction and repetition is so slow that even using the 2x speed on my Ipod it did not approach conversational pace. This does not lend itself to learning to think in a foreign language or even being able to interact conversationally.

    In contrast, after a short time with the Pimsleur program I already had learned several phrases with correct pronunciation and tones. I highly recommend spending your money on a different program! After finishing lever I of Pimsleur, I was passable in my traveler's Mandarin, and was even told in China that I had a "Beijing accent!" That will not happen with this program.

    2 people found this helpful