Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish by Joseph J. Keenan
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.98 You Save: $9.97 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.32 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish
Book Review: The most useful book ever!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot say enough about this book. It is by far the most useful book I have ever owned. I pick it up at least three times a week to peruse, and I've had it for years. This is the information that English-speakers really need when learning Spanish. I wish I had owned this book when I went to school in Mexico because it is jam-packed with truly helpful tidbits of information. Every time I open it, I discover mistakes I make on a regular basis when practicing Spanish. Anyone who is attempting to learn Spanish should have this book (and carry it with them wherever they go). The author learned Spanish as an adult, which inspires and comforts me because I know he learned the hard way all he wrote in this book--by making mistakes, just like me. I know I will wear out my copy in the near future and will happily buy a new one. Do not hesitate to check out this book!Book Review: ¡Excelente!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was so much fun and so useful I keep re-reading it, and learning something more each time. The author doesn't neglect grammar, but neither does he present grammar as a list of dull rules. Rather, he guides the reader through examples of how Spanish grammar and structure reflect how Spanish speakers think. It's practical, but not in the hackneyed "Can you direct me to the nearest bathroom?" mode. Rather, this book tries to help gringos learn how people really speak Spanish. There's much emphasis on traps which frequently snare native English speakers learning Spanish. The book is well organized, and written with a great sense of humor. My only minor quibble is the absence of an index. I agree with others: this isn't a book for those just starting out, pero cuando quieras aprender un poco más, ¡debes comprar este libro!Book Review: An excellent, unique book for the serious Spanish student.
Summary: 5 Stars
Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish is a terrific book. I recommend it to all my second-year Spanish students, and to all students who travel with me on study abroad programs. It contains a wealth of down-to-earth grammar, vocabulary, and cultural material, presented in a friendly and nonpedantic way. (My favorite chapter: "10 Ways to Avoid Being Taken for a Gringo". My students' favorite chapter: "Invective and Obscenity")It contains some of the clearest explanations I've ever encountered to help students deal with tricky distinctions like ser/estar, preterite/imperfect, and indicative/subjunctive. In addtition, there is a whole section on false cognates, designed to keep the unwary traveler from declaring himself to be pregnant, or asking to be served food without condoms in it.
Don't leave home without it.
Book Review: Probably the BEST book for learning Spanish ever written
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best book I have ever read for learning Spanish. I have almost a whole "libary" full of useless theoretical Spanish books that I bought hoping to increase my skills. This is the first (and really the ONLY) book that I have read that takes a whole new approach to teaching Spanish--a PRACTICAL approach. I have even felt like writing the author to congradulate him on such a well-written book, but I haven't had the time. (How many people feel like writting the author of Spanish books?)
If you're Spanish skills are just a bit above beginner, then I recomend this book. This is one of the only books in my whole "collection" that I have read over 5-6 times. I have lived in Mexico for more than 2 years now, and I owe much of my language mastery to this book. 5-Star without a doubt!
Book Review: Excellent but not for amateurs...
Summary: 5 Stars
I moved to Mexico two years ago and enrolled in a language school right off the bat. I also bought this book. After reading it, I thought it was helpful, but not excessively so because I didn't quite "get" everything it was trying to tell me. I stuck it on the bookshelf.
Now, two years later, I'm going through it again and discovering a virtual gold mine of information. My point being: Take the book's title seriously. It is a book for people firmly at the intermediate level or above. For these people, it answers a ton of things that have proved baffling. For these people, the book is a gem. If you are departing the beginner stage, this stupendous book will answer lots of those things you've been scratching your head over. Immensely valuable.
But don't buy it for Spanish 101.