If the mistake is not corrected, you might think that you understood correctly, while in fact you are wrong. And then you don't forget this (wrong) version, and use it over and over again.
Again a 'super' method advertised, which should suit ALL learners.
I'm almost done with the first CD and I caught myself today, as I was walking around, saying "Wann konnen Sie es mir bringen, denn ich brauche es" I think this is day 5 or 6?? Crazy. You actually feel like you're accomplishing something and it makes you feel good about yourself. No more writing words over and over in an attempt to make them "stick"
I decided to learn Russian 3 years ago. I learnt the alphabet, downloaded PDF Didactic Books, made an acc on Livemocha and tried to make Russian friends through Facebook. Nevertheless, it came out to be a real challenge to learn it, and many times I wanted to give up. Then MT Method came to me and I decided to give it a try. I'll never forget the day I logged in a Russian forum and for the first time I could understand a whole sentence in Russian after only 15 days. I love it!
I would not hesitate to recommend Michel Thomas method lanuage courses. The teaching method he devised and developed really does work and the courses are very competitively priced.
Of course you have to memorize stuff, until it is in your subconscious memory it's not knowledge. If you want to get the best out of Michel Thomas I suggest listening to the actual course once only and then simply use the review course over and over. Along with that you should read as much simple stuff as possible to improve vocabulary as well as listen to german radio.
She is just re-iterating what Michel Thomas has said on his courses. I enjoyed Michel Thomas to a point, but at the end of the day it still takes a lot of hard work to learn a new language. Being able to create simple sentences and understand basic grammar is a useful tool, however if you really want to understand another language you have to spend considerable time with and get to know the natives (otherwise you simply have an alternative way of saying the same thing).
There is definately a link between learning a language and psychology that i think unversity and college courses just don't get. If you look at a child learning their own language, they are in this state of mimicking and they are completely free of the fear of failure. Compare this to an adult learner who is totally the opposite, and if they make a mistake then they berate themselves. Its all about relaxing into it, and enjoying the learning process, as opposed to 'having to get there'.
I found Michel Thomas' CD courses very good but I have recently discovered a similar course by Paul Noble. I've even tried one of his two day courses in Islington, London. He uses a similar method to MT but he uses native speakers to ensure that you get the pronunciation right. Both are excellent but I think Paul's approach has the edge as he is more contemporary. In some respects his approach in my view is more like Paul Pimsleur’s courses.
@Wendybendy100 I've just bought one of Paul Noble's courses too. They are amazing. Michel thomas obviously pioneered this approach but this Noble guy is utterly amazing!
@Wendybendy100 hi.Is it good?Iam going trough very hard time with MTvocabulary..its not enjoyable to study an I cant use those words.It doesnt teach u everyday words I cannot talk to my spanish friends when Iam going out about everyday things.
can someone please (if possible) PLEASE explain why the word 'lexicon' does not elongate to become lexiconography? I have consulted my English dictionary and, lest my dictionary be wrong, I am seeing 'lexicography' as the proper term. Why do you guys drop the "n"?
Part 2) My english teacher seem to think that it is paramount that i choose one and stick to it rigidly, whereas Mr Duncan determines that choosing one particular accent is not essential. He appears to suggest that i should choose whichever makes me feel most comfortable! BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE!!!!!??????? What should i do!?
PART 1) I have rudimentary English skills but that is not the thing which is at the forefront of my mind at this particular point in time. What's really troubling me, rattling my cage, persay is which accent to adopt as my default accent when conversing with colleagues, business associates and english lexographers. Should i use the British accent or the American? There seems to be conflicting messages coming from either side of the 'debate'.
I just finished the Spanish foundation course or beginners course I was skeptical at first about the no books, no pens etc. claims and all I can say is his method actually works! Really glad I found it. Thanks Michel Thomas definitely an awesome guy lol
MIchel Thomas, amazing gifted person. he has left a valuable legacy of learning new languages. he is the best and if you want to learn, get one of his cd's.
I didn't want to stop when I listened to Michel thomas, it's just SO fun and not boring and you don't repeat crap like a parrot or memorize, you just know! It's the best thing ever. if you go to michelthomas (dot) co (dot) uk, there are brochures that comes with the CDs and it is what you learned but visually, so you have everything from hearing and actually seeing the words. but pimsleur you repeat like a parrot and it's boring as crap....
I did his basic German last weekend and I can agree with Rose Hayden. Once I got going, I did not want to stop. I just wanted to listen more and more, and finished in a weekend.
This entire week, I have been running German sentences through my head. Quite easily and naturally.
Sadly he passed in '05. I am 30 years old now & spent from the age of 13 trying to learn French. I checked out every tape in the library & bought software. The only words I learned were to ask how are you, greetings & I am sorry. I picked Michal Thomas up at my library & I was shocked by the rules, but went with it. I listened, tried, & had failures. The next day words started playing over in my head like a song you cant get out & for the first time ever, I spoke my first sentence, EVER.
I've been finding out all about this guy recently, apparently he lifted this entire method - and most of the content from his courses - from some books by a woman called Margarita Madrigal. She was already teaching using this method in the 1940s!
He never acknowledged her but in some ways I can't blame the guy. After all, he made millions! I wonder if he had to pay her any royalties?
This courses should come with some caveats: 1) His accent was very thick, and yours will be peculiar if you model your speech on his. Why he didn't use native speakers instead of his own voice I don't know. 2) You will be able to communicate on a basic level, but you'll still need to learn huge amounts of vocabulary.
3) I checked his website, and the prices are absolutely outrageous ($18,000 for a week). Holy cow! He certainly tapped into the right market (celebs, huge corporations).
The thick accent is a common complaint, since he is mostly conversing in English, and seldom speaks in lengthy sentences of the target language, whereupon the accent is benign. To begin with, to English speakers' ears, a native French speaker would be almost incomprehensible, if not carefully chosen. And unless one intends to spend a fair amount of time amongst native speakers, one's communication skills will remain very basic. His rates were not low, but no more than a medium rate lawyer.
Michel Thomas was a great man, a great teacher, and a great humanitarian. I started his Italian 8 hour course this afternoon and I am amazed at my progress. I can't wait to continue learning Italian!
Possibly because of the public availability of the Michel Thomas Method, universities, such the UK's Open University with its LXR122 foundation course, introduce the components cited, much more swiftly. Nevertheless, for those not intending to take a university course in French or German, for example, the Michel Thomas courses will be very useful, or will act as a worthwhile heads-up for those interested in studying a language for an academic qualification.
Michel Thomas is the best languages teacher in the world. His method really WORKS!
You can get his Spanish Intro (2-CD) course free with the Guardian and Observer this weekend (4/5/ July) RRP: £15 and there is a great HALF PRICE offer on all his products too.
tartansoxdundas, you are making yourself a nuisance. You annoy people on nearly every MT video. Did Michel Thomas kill your grandmother? Regardless of what weaknesses his methods may have, they are very encouraging for students, they get people excited about language learning, and he starts from what students already know, which helps in the retention of learning.
i listened to his french cds. and they are awesome. Okay so it doesnt exactly teach in detail the writey stuff but you do get a basic understanding and from listening to the cds in a relaxed environment like he says you can learn a lot. I love Michel Thomas - his method of teaching is amazing and successful. and from reading about him on the set of CDs he is an amazing man with an interesting history . Thanks
I've read comments on other MT youtube videos that his German is old-fashioned?!!
That sucks because I've just started listening to the german lessons..... so you're telling me I'd sound like an idiot if I learned from his lessons????
i am learning GERMAN with Michel Thomas - German Basic , and i found it wonderfull as a new to this language,,, he has a simple methode that make you learn german without thinking or writing. :)
I think you need all elements of studying to get proficient in a foreign language; audio-lingual (e.g. Michel), grammar work, pronunciation classes, extended stays in the country, reading.
yeah michel thomas method is amazing. no joke. ive come much further with his stuff than with any of the other things ive tried (pimsleur, rosetta stone etc.) what i really like with this is that it focuses on actually speaking (and thinking) in french, rather than learning through written french which can be so much more confusing. my props and respect to michel thomas
That's why the 'immersion' technique has always seemed like something of a myth to me. You can't 'pick up' a language like you did when you were a child because you aren't a child anymore.
Far better to take your existing linguistic ability and try to work with it, from one perspective. 'Immersion' techniques can be incredibly inefficient.
Still, I don't buy the whole Michel Thomas "no memorization!" mantra, etc etc. It always helps to memorize and, dare I say it, to write things down.
IMHO one of the main reasons his technique works comparatively well is he uses your current linguistic knowledge as a structure on which to superimpose another language.
In this way he uses the language you know as an *advantage*, as a route into another language, rather than treating it as an impediment that obstructs your ability to acquire a different language.
She sort of says that at about 3 minutes. Certainly, you see how close some languages are. You appreciate your own language more.
the michel thomas course truly is extraordinary. i have tried learning french at school, using linguaphone, even at university night class... NONE of them compare to the michel CDs. if you want to learn, this is the only way you should consider!
Bogues hype. , typical propaganda
TheCapnbooboo 2 days ago
Just beginning to learn Portuguese using this method. Tried to learn it conventionally, but find this better.
martind104 1 week ago
i wish i could thank him
bryce13larkin 5 months ago 2
@bryce13larkin you can thank him in heaven someday!
GriffenJC 1 month ago
If the mistake is not corrected, you might think that you understood correctly, while in fact you are wrong. And then you don't forget this (wrong) version, and use it over and over again.
Again a 'super' method advertised, which should suit ALL learners.
qazwsxedcrfvg123 5 months ago
If you want to learn a foreign language with a thick polish accent, this method is perfect for you
dannygut1 6 months ago
I'm almost done with the first CD and I caught myself today, as I was walking around, saying "Wann konnen Sie es mir bringen, denn ich brauche es" I think this is day 5 or 6?? Crazy. You actually feel like you're accomplishing something and it makes you feel good about yourself. No more writing words over and over in an attempt to make them "stick"
pumkin54 7 months ago
I think the michelle thomas method is very very good thank you
johnfm1061 9 months ago
Es una pena que él no enseñara este método para aprender inglés desde el español.
Momislov 9 months ago
I decided to learn Russian 3 years ago. I learnt the alphabet, downloaded PDF Didactic Books, made an acc on Livemocha and tried to make Russian friends through Facebook. Nevertheless, it came out to be a real challenge to learn it, and many times I wanted to give up. Then MT Method came to me and I decided to give it a try. I'll never forget the day I logged in a Russian forum and for the first time I could understand a whole sentence in Russian after only 15 days. I love it!
NicoleDionne 9 months ago
I would not hesitate to recommend Michel Thomas method lanuage courses. The teaching method he devised and developed really does work and the courses are very competitively priced.
drpoxy 1 year ago
Of course you have to memorize stuff, until it is in your subconscious memory it's not knowledge. If you want to get the best out of Michel Thomas I suggest listening to the actual course once only and then simply use the review course over and over. Along with that you should read as much simple stuff as possible to improve vocabulary as well as listen to german radio.
JurassicPlank 1 year ago
She is just re-iterating what Michel Thomas has said on his courses. I enjoyed Michel Thomas to a point, but at the end of the day it still takes a lot of hard work to learn a new language. Being able to create simple sentences and understand basic grammar is a useful tool, however if you really want to understand another language you have to spend considerable time with and get to know the natives (otherwise you simply have an alternative way of saying the same thing).
JurassicPlank 1 year ago
There is definately a link between learning a language and psychology that i think unversity and college courses just don't get. If you look at a child learning their own language, they are in this state of mimicking and they are completely free of the fear of failure. Compare this to an adult learner who is totally the opposite, and if they make a mistake then they berate themselves. Its all about relaxing into it, and enjoying the learning process, as opposed to 'having to get there'.
jordanaus75 1 year ago
I found Michel Thomas' CD courses very good but I have recently discovered a similar course by Paul Noble. I've even tried one of his two day courses in Islington, London. He uses a similar method to MT but he uses native speakers to ensure that you get the pronunciation right. Both are excellent but I think Paul's approach has the edge as he is more contemporary. In some respects his approach in my view is more like Paul Pimsleur’s courses.
Wendybendy100 1 year ago
@Wendybendy100 I've just bought one of Paul Noble's courses too. They are amazing. Michel thomas obviously pioneered this approach but this Noble guy is utterly amazing!
carversdelight 1 year ago
@Wendybendy100 hi.Is it good?Iam going trough very hard time with MTvocabulary..its not enjoyable to study an I cant use those words.It doesnt teach u everyday words I cannot talk to my spanish friends when Iam going out about everyday things.
daisicooper2 1 year ago
can someone please (if possible) PLEASE explain why the word 'lexicon' does not elongate to become lexiconography? I have consulted my English dictionary and, lest my dictionary be wrong, I am seeing 'lexicography' as the proper term. Why do you guys drop the "n"?
ZinedineHepburn 1 year ago
Reply (with haste), for every day that I am unaware of which accent to adopt, I grow weaker.
ZinedineHepburn 1 year ago
Part 2) My english teacher seem to think that it is paramount that i choose one and stick to it rigidly, whereas Mr Duncan determines that choosing one particular accent is not essential. He appears to suggest that i should choose whichever makes me feel most comfortable! BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE!!!!!??????? What should i do!?
ZinedineHepburn 1 year ago
PART 1) I have rudimentary English skills but that is not the thing which is at the forefront of my mind at this particular point in time. What's really troubling me, rattling my cage, persay is which accent to adopt as my default accent when conversing with colleagues, business associates and english lexographers. Should i use the British accent or the American? There seems to be conflicting messages coming from either side of the 'debate'.
ZinedineHepburn 1 year ago
@ZinedineHepburn
Use a Standard Scottish accent :) It's rhotic, like the American, prestigious in the UK and the most spelling-regular of all Standard accents.
inkstersco 1 year ago
I just finished the Spanish foundation course or beginners course I was skeptical at first about the no books, no pens etc. claims and all I can say is his method actually works! Really glad I found it. Thanks Michel Thomas definitely an awesome guy lol
WhiteKnighT161 1 year ago
MIchel Thomas, amazing gifted person. he has left a valuable legacy of learning new languages. he is the best and if you want to learn, get one of his cd's.
sham420 1 year ago 3
I didn't want to stop when I listened to Michel thomas, it's just SO fun and not boring and you don't repeat crap like a parrot or memorize, you just know! It's the best thing ever. if you go to michelthomas (dot) co (dot) uk, there are brochures that comes with the CDs and it is what you learned but visually, so you have everything from hearing and actually seeing the words. but pimsleur you repeat like a parrot and it's boring as crap....
SquishyCandyftw 1 year ago 4
I did his basic German last weekend and I can agree with Rose Hayden. Once I got going, I did not want to stop. I just wanted to listen more and more, and finished in a weekend.
This entire week, I have been running German sentences through my head. Quite easily and naturally.
5 stars for Michel Thomas!
dowhatthouwilt911 2 years ago 4
Sadly he passed in '05. I am 30 years old now & spent from the age of 13 trying to learn French. I checked out every tape in the library & bought software. The only words I learned were to ask how are you, greetings & I am sorry. I picked Michal Thomas up at my library & I was shocked by the rules, but went with it. I listened, tried, & had failures. The next day words started playing over in my head like a song you cant get out & for the first time ever, I spoke my first sentence, EVER.
Baterine 2 years ago 17
@Baterine Wow, that's great!
I've been finding out all about this guy recently, apparently he lifted this entire method - and most of the content from his courses - from some books by a woman called Margarita Madrigal. She was already teaching using this method in the 1940s!
He never acknowledged her but in some ways I can't blame the guy. After all, he made millions! I wonder if he had to pay her any royalties?
filingdancememoranda 1 year ago
Michel Thomas sounds like a very interesting teacher I really would like to have the experience of being in his class :O
thegothicxlx 2 years ago 2
And you can... just get his courses. Everything she explains here, he does in those courses.
zocurtis 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Then get a shovel and dig him up!
korrdxl 2 years ago
you fck idioit man spent his life to help others, to inrich others life and quality and enjoyment and your on here typing that.
way to go big man, big man, so impressive you twat.
toycityworld 2 years ago 4
You should check to see if Michel has an English program that can help you out.
korrdxl 2 years ago
This courses should come with some caveats: 1) His accent was very thick, and yours will be peculiar if you model your speech on his. Why he didn't use native speakers instead of his own voice I don't know. 2) You will be able to communicate on a basic level, but you'll still need to learn huge amounts of vocabulary.
3) I checked his website, and the prices are absolutely outrageous ($18,000 for a week). Holy cow! He certainly tapped into the right market (celebs, huge corporations).
koreankayagum 2 years ago
The thick accent is a common complaint, since he is mostly conversing in English, and seldom speaks in lengthy sentences of the target language, whereupon the accent is benign. To begin with, to English speakers' ears, a native French speaker would be almost incomprehensible, if not carefully chosen. And unless one intends to spend a fair amount of time amongst native speakers, one's communication skills will remain very basic. His rates were not low, but no more than a medium rate lawyer.
charlessmyth 2 years ago
Michel Thomas was a great man, a great teacher, and a great humanitarian. I started his Italian 8 hour course this afternoon and I am amazed at my progress. I can't wait to continue learning Italian!
MissLadyboy007 2 years ago
You'll also need to complete the advanced course, so as to get the full use of verbs in the various tenses.
charlessmyth 2 years ago
Possibly because of the public availability of the Michel Thomas Method, universities, such the UK's Open University with its LXR122 foundation course, introduce the components cited, much more swiftly. Nevertheless, for those not intending to take a university course in French or German, for example, the Michel Thomas courses will be very useful, or will act as a worthwhile heads-up for those interested in studying a language for an academic qualification.
charlessmyth 2 years ago
Michel Thomas is the best languages teacher in the world. His method really WORKS!
You can get his Spanish Intro (2-CD) course free with the Guardian and Observer this weekend (4/5/ July) RRP: £15 and there is a great HALF PRICE offer on all his products too.
hamish3011 2 years ago 7
If you missed it, go to michelthomasoffers . com where you can get all his products at an amazing HALF PRICE!
hamish3011 2 years ago
Michel Thomas and pimsleur are both good audio books.
ThAtCrAzYgUy619 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
michel Thomas s a old fart
WCliffordJThyme 2 years ago
tartansoxdundas, you are making yourself a nuisance. You annoy people on nearly every MT video. Did Michel Thomas kill your grandmother? Regardless of what weaknesses his methods may have, they are very encouraging for students, they get people excited about language learning, and he starts from what students already know, which helps in the retention of learning.
CrankdReport 3 years ago
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
i listened to his french cds. and they are awesome. Okay so it doesnt exactly teach in detail the writey stuff but you do get a basic understanding and from listening to the cds in a relaxed environment like he says you can learn a lot. I love Michel Thomas - his method of teaching is amazing and successful. and from reading about him on the set of CDs he is an amazing man with an interesting history . Thanks
bethestici 3 years ago
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
completely agree
bethestici 3 years ago
Is it just me, or is Rose's spanish accent really bad?
Englishdosser86 3 years ago
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
I've read comments on other MT youtube videos that his German is old-fashioned?!!
That sucks because I've just started listening to the german lessons..... so you're telling me I'd sound like an idiot if I learned from his lessons????
ToobYew 3 years ago
Any course is only a starting point -- you can't please all of the people all of the time, and all that.
What you'll get is a framework that you can pin anything else on later.
NiallBeag 3 years ago 4
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
i am learning GERMAN with Michel Thomas - German Basic , and i found it wonderfull as a new to this language,,, he has a simple methode that make you learn german without thinking or writing. :)
cesarnasr 3 years ago 14
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
I think you need all elements of studying to get proficient in a foreign language; audio-lingual (e.g. Michel), grammar work, pronunciation classes, extended stays in the country, reading.
And you still end up shit.
Jamesbharris2 3 years ago
Comment removed
tartansoxdundas 3 years ago
yeah michel thomas method is amazing. no joke. ive come much further with his stuff than with any of the other things ive tried (pimsleur, rosetta stone etc.) what i really like with this is that it focuses on actually speaking (and thinking) in french, rather than learning through written french which can be so much more confusing. my props and respect to michel thomas
travisgorman 3 years ago 4
That's why the 'immersion' technique has always seemed like something of a myth to me. You can't 'pick up' a language like you did when you were a child because you aren't a child anymore.
Far better to take your existing linguistic ability and try to work with it, from one perspective. 'Immersion' techniques can be incredibly inefficient.
Still, I don't buy the whole Michel Thomas "no memorization!" mantra, etc etc. It always helps to memorize and, dare I say it, to write things down.
bluecobalt27 3 years ago 2
IMHO one of the main reasons his technique works comparatively well is he uses your current linguistic knowledge as a structure on which to superimpose another language.
In this way he uses the language you know as an *advantage*, as a route into another language, rather than treating it as an impediment that obstructs your ability to acquire a different language.
She sort of says that at about 3 minutes. Certainly, you see how close some languages are. You appreciate your own language more.
bluecobalt27 3 years ago 3
very inspiring. I been trying to learn spanish for years
solidyahoo 4 years ago 3
His method is absolutely perfect. The mystery is: why did no one - especially no teacher - think of this way of teaching a language before?
tenneral 4 years ago 4
the michel thomas course truly is extraordinary. i have tried learning french at school, using linguaphone, even at university night class... NONE of them compare to the michel CDs. if you want to learn, this is the only way you should consider!
nothingimportant55 4 years ago 5
I bought his Spanish Starter Kit and I'm amazed.
jfsimard79 4 years ago 3
THankyou for expressing something that you feel as passionatly about as I do. He really was the greatest ever teacher, a big hero of mine
ashtongrist 4 years ago 3