Deutsch Plus: Language Pack with Compact Discs (Deutsch Plus)

This is probably the worse course book I have ever seen. The audio bounces around the chapters so it is very difficult to follow the audio. They introduce new words without giving examples to whether it is der die or das. For all you teachers out there, this may seem quite adequate (as most teachers seem to have an elitist attitude), but for us students this is a real pain in the rear! You have to keep referring to the glossary, which really takes the fun out of learning German. As all you are really learning is now to navigate the glossary efficiently. Well, as you can imagine, by the fifth time of flipping to the glossary you're getting bored and you end up wondering off to do something more interesting. Save your money and buy the Michel Thomas CD's...

Another little excellent course is Talk German. Just make sure you buy the version with the CD's and not just the book. It's a bit basic if you already have an understanding of the language but it's a fun book all the same.

Inspiring product (12/12 people found this helpful)

I was inspired to learn German after watching the BBC Education broadcast on TV. I thought I would just see the first 5 minutes of the late night broadcast, then after 6 hours and 20 episodes, all with no subtitles, I bought the book, CDs and work book.

Unfortunately there only seams to be one broadcast a year, so you will need to wait untill April 2005 or there abouts to see the TV series, which is excellent. The BBC really should sell a DVD of their language broadcasts. The broadcast times are available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/education. Lots of info on learning German here http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/library/german.shtml

The level is similar to GCSE and would be a good introduction if you are thinking of doing GCSE German. It is very practical focusing on German you would use in day to day life. Travel, job applications, finding a flat to rent, trains, time, shopping, hobbies and interests.

The book has full colour photos and illustrations and fairly large print, also its printed on good quality glossy paper. It's very easy to read with a nice chapter size, grammar is simply explained with vocabluary introduced in small amounts. This will be a great book if you find other books too much like a school text book.

One chapter a day would be easy to do. About half the book is tied in to the TV series, which is about a man joining a German TV station and learning German, but you do not need to see the TV show to work through the book. The TV show is like a TV soap series, a very good cast, very high standard of acting, a large number of location scenes and a genuinely interesting story.

In total there is this course book, 4 CDs or 4 tapes and a work book. There is also a Tutor's Cassette Pack with only German.
Deutsch Plus 2 is a follow up course by the BBC with a book and 4 audio tapes. Deutsch Plus 2 is not associated with the TV series or characters. Just a way of taking things further. I put this in as some people prefer courses over isolated books.

An above average course book for teaching beginner's German (12/16 people found this helpful)

I am currently using this book along with the accompaning cassettes and workbook to teach a group of adult student's beginning German. I have found it to be helpful and accurate. The workbook only gives two pages of activities per chapter, unfortunately, but the chapters themeselves are well laid out, and helpful for building speaking ability in particular. If you are unsing it to teach, you will probably have to provide some supplemental information for your students, particularily in grammar.

Reinhard Tenberg, Eleonore Arthur, Susan Ainslie

Reader Reviews:

Deutsche plus (3/3 people found this helpful)

Inspiring product (12/12 people found this helpful)

An above average course book for teaching beginner's German (12/16 people found this helpful)

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