tells the literal translation but doesn't explain

Korean is a high context language and it doesn't do a very good job of explaining certain things. Just in the first lesson it tells you that "bangapseumnida" means "I am glad" which is technically true, in that it is the literal translation, but it doesn't explain that it is only used in the context of meeting someone, and it shouldn't be used to mean "I am glad" I'm any other context.

so far it doesn't really explain the differences in "-seumnida" "-yo" in that those are two different levels of formality.

overall, Korean isn't a very good language to learn in this fashion because there are a lot of social rules to speaking and it's easy to fall into social faux pas if you use the wrong level of formality in conversations with different people. you can't use the same words, phrases, or conjugations with the CEO of your company as you would with your senior coworker or as you would with a close friend or younger person. it's very easily to subtly disrespect someone by using the incorrect level of formality.

19 people found this helpful

It's Too Fast, and There Should Be Video.

I know this is a long rant falling on deaf ears, but if they completely removed the English and gave you visual context, it would be easier for you to comprehend the words by association. Because they tell you "the grammar goes: 'English' 'Can you speak?'" I'm still thinking in English, not associating the word for 'can you speak' and memorizing it that way. Using video, they could also show you how words are spelled, individually going over the syllabols to familiarize you with reading. I know Pimsleur is focused on speech, but you can't get by in a foreign country by ONLY speaking. (And imagine if you didn't have service to use Google Translate for signs..! You can't even order food!) However, anyone can literally learn the hangul alphabet in a couple of hours, AND apply it straight after. The only difference is that sounding out syllabols doesn't mean you can read. And reading a word doesn't mean you can form the proper intonations of the word to make it comprehensible. If you keep feeding me English, then I'm going to sit there and think "oh, hm, what was that word again??" instead of just using my muscle memory to regurgitate it. If you make me feel and associate the foreign words with their meanings, then I will think in that language for the 15 minutes that I'm attentive to it. And that's especially important because every language has it's own culture and connotations that can't directly translate. (Such as the difference between being humble vs. insecure when receiving complements: they ACT entirely the same, but the sentiment is different.) But I really think that JUST audio is ineffective in learning a language properly, especially when babies learn by association (with sights, sounds, and smells). Since your adult brain already knows what an apple is, (it doesn't have to be reintroduced to your senses in order for you to know what it is), it makes it easier to directly translate "Apple=Ringo," or "Apple=Pingwo." But in the same notion, "this is an apple" limits your 100% absorbance of the language because you're still using the word "apple" to relate any other information.
And I understand this is a long rant that the Pimsleur people won't even see, but it's an important argument that needs to be recognized, especially when people are fretting about learning a new language. It's ALSO extremely important that the 'tutors' enunciate, because they both say the words differently. One guy mumbles, and the "American" lady pronounces every single letter, which is wrong. Especially when there are two vowels next to each other and their sounds combine, or when she says the 'h's when the other tutor doesn't. But most importantly, they go waaay too fast for someone JUST learning the language with no background in it. I know I can manually change the speed setting, but it's ridiculous how fast the 'tutors' go, and then the narrator takes his good, sweet time telling you what to do. To me, this isn't worth 20-something dollars, let alone the hundred that people pay for the entire series.
If I could give this 0 stars, I would.

23 people found this helpful

Most effective way to learn Korean language.

I really enjoyed learning Korean language using this Pimsleur method. Very effective, very fast to absorb the lessons. I find it a little expensive though.

10 people found this helpful

Needs workbook companion

So in the very beginning it says not to use any other learning tool with this audio. For the hard of hearing this is very difficult. When they pronounce their words, it sounds very different from the original to the repeated form. Phonetically, I need to see how the word is spelled in order to repeat correctly. For example, when he first says the word one letter might sound like a G but when he repeats it sounds like a K. It’s a little frustrating. I find my self googling the word to see how it’s spelled. I would love a workbook companion to see and write.

2 people found this helpful

Effective!

With some basic grammar knowledge, I find this audio course quite effective. I can communicate now (start conversation). I like dialogues in real speed. I am not sure if it would help me without knowing grammar and some vocabulary. Looking foward to next lessons. It promises fluency after 10 lessons.

5 people found this helpful

Beginning Korean

This audio allows you to jump straight into spoken Korean. Although it is seem counter to what is done in a language classroom, working first with listening and speaking skills is confidence inspiring when one doesn’t have a language tutor. I find that even though the program is repetitive, that when the material is repeating itself it is adding context to words or slightly altering the sentences to introduce new grammar naturally.

I read other reviews before deciding on this program, and I want to clear up something in regards to the manual that comes with the week versions of this course on Audible. You won’t get written assignments until you are a couple of “weeks” into the program. This is done so that you focus solely on pronunciation and identifying sounds versus confusing you early on with a new writing system (no matter how simple the Korean alphabet is). Patience is key, and I am personally in no rush to be writing since this is merely a personal hobby. If you are, you only have to wait three to four weeks to actually begin writing, so it isn’t to bad.

I have you used this program before with another language and was happy with how easy the process felt, and how after a couple of years of neglecting to study I still was able to recall almost all of the information presented. Being in college, the last thing I want to do is read another textbook, so it is nice to have the audio reading the material to me with my only effort being listening and responding.

3 people found this helpful

Fast learning

I have been trying to learn Korean for a few months and was really struggling. I got this audio book and listened to each lesson twice. I have learned important phrases and feel co fident in speaking them. This book is good and helpful!

Be patient! It works!

The key to this program working is to be PATIENT. I’m reading a lot of reviews that seem to be upset by how quickly the lessons go and/or how context isn’t necessarily explained. I listened to the introductory chapters before Unit 1 and it literally says that lessons can and should be repeated until you can answer about 80% of the prompts correctly. Of course you’re not going to memorize a bunch of new words and phrases in 30 minutes and be able to retain them…you have to be patient and put in the work! It usually takes me 3-5 days before I feel comfortable moving onto the next lesson, but by the time I’m ready to move on, I know for sure that I’ve retained the information. I’m currently on Unit 12 and I still remember everything they throw at me from previous lessons.
As far as words and phrases in context, it’s another exercise in patience. The lessons teach you words/phrases that make sense in the context that they’re being taught in. If there’s a change or difference, it teaches you about it later in a new context. For example: in lessons 6-10 you learn numbers in the context of telling time. But in lesson 12, it starts teaching you about numbers in the context of money, and it explains that there’s a difference.
This program really is great. It’s well known that one of the best ways to start learning a language is to start trying to speak it little by little. The way this program is set up is very practical, and I found that I’m able to notice patterns in grammar by paying attention as the sentences are getting longer and more complex. Learning in the context of conversation rather than just memorizing vocabulary and random grammar rules is much more effective.

Best Way for me to Learn Korean!!

I have been studying Korean on and off for years with various textbooks, online resources, etc but I made more progress with Pimsleur in just 5 days than I ever have before! Highly recommend

A very good purchase!

The pacing is very nice and is somewhat easier to keep up with. The repetition of words over time also helps with retention and multiple chances to get down that one word that escapes the englisb monolingual tongue. highly recommend and I found best results(for the individual lessons)are when repeated you 2 or 3x throughout the day or when played in tandem with the previous lesson e.g. im on lesson 3 so I listen 3 then 2, then 3 again and until I get them both comfortably and then the same with lesson 4.