Spanish for Dummies by and the Language Experts at Berlitz
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Book Reviews of Spanish for Dummies
Book Review: Great introductory but in no way takes the place of any class
Summary: 3 Stars
The book is broken up into chapters mainly based on different social situations you might encounter. In this respect, the book gives gives useful vocabulary and conversational illustrations.
The first chapter is devoted to to pronunciation and the 2nd to grammer. Even with this chapter on grammer, I thought the book fell short of explaining the needed grammatical rules and in addressing verb conjugations in an productive manner. They jump right in to present, past, and future verb tenses and never quite explain why the words are ordered the way they are in various sentences. I was left to wonder what various words were in and why they were at the front, in the back, or attached to the end of a verb.
I did like that they have little boxes explaining the differences between the spanish spoken in different countries since I was planning to use my spanish in Argentina.
Overall a good book if you're travelling and just want to be able to use the language in limited social situations without really understanding the why and how of the language.
Book Review: Not good if you want to become fluent in Spanish
Summary: 3 Stars
I ordered this book from a book club and when I received it, I admit I was a little disappointed. After browsing through the book, it seems like it is geared more towards people who DO NOT want to be fluent in Spanish and basically have to learn basic phrases if they are going to travel to a Spanish-speaking country. There was a short chapter on grammar, but it did not seem very in-depth at all to me. On the plus side, there was a CD that came with it and there is a pronunciation track on it which could be very helpful (but not completely sure, I didn't actually listen to the CD). Other than that is was just how to say very basic Spanish phrases. There was also a coupon for a free Berlitz Spanish lesson (unfortunately, there isn't one close to me anyway). All in all, if you just want basics, this is for you. If you want to be fluent, skip over this one and get Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish.Book Review: Mediocre book
Summary: 3 Stars
The book is average at best. It's cheap for a reason. I have learnt MUCH more thru the "Coffee Break spanish podcast on iTunes". bought this as a companion book. As a companion this book is OK. But if i had bought it as just the primary then i would have been very disappointed. So use it along with other audio material and you will be fine.. Have not listened to the included CD.Book Review: A good primer
Summary: 3 Stars
Spanish for Dummies is a quick study that gets you going and keeps you pretty motivated as a result of its organization of practical, grammatical, syntactical and vocabulatary elements. I like the way it introduces tenses without it seeming to be punishment. I have taken many years worth of Spanish over the years and this was the most fun. Muy bueno!Book Review: A single book is not sufficient to study a language
Summary: 3 Stars
As another reviewer wrote - one has to hear the pronounciation, which is why I recommend buying this book with the "BMV Quantum Subliminal CD: Learn Spanish Language"