Japanese, Q&S: Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Yeah, sure, this is a "Quick and Simple" course.

And as the previous review says its a "try before you buy"

situation.

I got this Q&S as an audiobook download and was

quite impressed with it.

The approach that Pimsleur uses is quite unique

and definitely the most effective I've ever come across.

As someone who has spent my hard earned $$ on

various language learning aids and been sadly disappointed

for one reason or another, I was quite elated to discover

the Pimsleur Approach series.

They do exactly what they claim. Its done on a build

and review method of introducing vocabulary through

various conversational scenarios and then reviewing

the vocabulary in such a way that it really helps to

reinfoce what has been learned.

And I also like it because you don't necessarily

need any books to accompany the lessons.

I downloaded the Q&S onto my iPod and listen to

it quite often.

So, in conclusion. If you really want to learn another

language, leave all those other study programs on the

store shelf and give Pimsleur a try. I'm certain you'll

thank yourself later.

Alright, so, I've spent my hard earned cash on other products (some from Amazon) as well and still don't know Japanese. But, at least I'm finally learning. I bought the Quick & Simple after I saw it on special. Right now my money is funny and I can't afford the full lessons. I'd tried lesson 1 online for free over a year ago. In that one lesson I learned more than I had using the yellow box system in 2 years. Pimsleur might not be great for everyone, but it works for me.

I was fully aware that this was not the full course. They pretty much tell you on the Pimsleur site when you buy it. I just wanted to learn something. I watch ALOT of Japanese tv and would like to stop being at the mercy of fickle or poor subbers. I'm only on lesson 4 but I've learned so much. Some things I knew from the dramas (like demo, ja mata, sumimasen, ohaiyo, etc.), but most is new to me. I'm enjoying how it gives you sentences and, if you have any vocabulary, you can drop in what you know. For instance in lesson 4 you learn how to ask directions using Ueno and Shinjuku stations and Ueno Park as examples. You also learn how to answer if asked. Theoretically, if you know the names of other places you should be able to ask. I could be wrong of course, but up until now I couldn't even make a guess. When able I definitely will buy more lessons.

**Quick edit warning: Be careful. They sneak a 'we'll send you the other dvds free if you don't like them send them back' deal on you w/o permission. I got a box the full Japanese discs and a notice telling me they'd charge over $200 to the card I used. There was no return label with which to return them, which pissed me off. I decided to call and have one sent (not emailed) to me so I wouldn't have to use my ink. I got stuck in IVR hell so I hung up. I figured 'they'll contact me when they can't charge the card' cuz I closed the account. Nope. Months went by. Right after Thanksgiving I started getting hang up calls on my answering system. Around Christmas I got dunning notices telling me I haven't responded to any of their attempts to contact me. When their dumb asses decide to send a return label for their cds, which have never been taken out of the box, or contact me properly, I'll send them the discs back. Until then, they're in the closet until such time I put them on ebay.

Hello,

About 3 months ago, my wife ordered this basic learn to speak album for $20.

Since that time, I've been receiving copies of Gold editions that shipped to my door with "free Trial".

First, I was wondering why I was getting "free trials".. We did not sign up for any trials, only the original basic order.

So about a month passes, and I get another free trial(this is now number 2). I think to myself, ok, what is going on here. So I call and am told these are 30 day free trials and if I keep them, they charge me ~$60 per lesson $60x4 = 1 lesson... So I'm paying $240 per lesson in total. Apparently each of these two shipments were a lesson, so they're charging me $480. At this time, they explain they cannot refund me because its too late.... Ok, the lessons aren't bad and I want to learn Japanese, so fine.

Today, I just came home from work and I have yet another gold edition!!!!!!! I call again, they reconfirm that I cannot send the others back and that I can only send this last(3rd) one back, after they charge me the remaining balance of lesson 2 I haven't apparently been charged for yet!

This is absolutely ridiculous, I recommend that anyone stay away from this product. The actual product isn't that bad, and honestly I should have checked earlier to confirm these "free trials" they were sending me.. But for other's thinking of purchasing this product BEWARE!!!!!!!!!

I'm sending the 3rd edition back tomorrow at my expense, so they don't charge me another $240 of something I don't need