Product Description

This introduction to the native language of Sweden features 10 lessons which are ideal for both classroom use and self-study. Each chapter includes dialogues, basic vocabulary and easy-to-follow discussions of grammar. The book also comes with exercises, cultural information and a brief comparison of Swedish and English. The two 80-minute audio CDs feature dialogue, vocabulary and sections spoken by native speakers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189610 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780781811576
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly surprised
I'm halfway through this Beginner's Swedish. I've studied other Swedish lesson books with audiocassettes, but this Swedish language book is really enjoyable. It has conversations with clear, easy-to-the-ear voices. After each lesson is either a bit about etymology, history, culture, economy or just everyday life, etc. It has useful phrases, and vocabulary, too. So well done! Love it! If there's the next level by Scott Mellor, I'll buy it.

Solid offering
Okay, in light of the last two reviews, let's try to get some balance here:

I have come to the point in my language learning pursuits that I am so very tired of `trained' language professionals touting the benefits of `modern' language learning techniques. If you compare the actual techniques of `modern methods' with techniques used in the past, you will find two things: first, the logical, orderly presentation of concepts that were once found in texts is gone. Second, you will find that the material is `dumbed down.' Sorry... there is really no other way of putting it. Luckily, this book is not written in that fashion.

Beginner's Swedish has audio CD's to attune your ear (and tongue) to the sounds of Swedish, but unlike most `modern style' offerings, it also does a wonderful job of presenting the material in a sequential, orderly, logical, graded fashion. Many books these days are all over the place: they introduce grammar concepts randomly and incompletely (if at all), and they offer little, if any, practice to aid in remembering the material. Not this book. Each chapter has two dialogs, a list of vocabulary, a list of phrases, logically sequenced grammar, an etymological comparison of Swedish and English, cultural notes, and although it could use more, it does have a good number of exercises. The CD has audio for each dialog, the phrases, and the vocabulary lists.

What this book will not do is pamper you. It will not show you silly, Dick and Jane style, time-wasting cartoons. Rather, it will teach you the language in an efficient, comprehensive manner, if you are willing to put in the time and effort. It does not insult your intelligence and treat you as if you have a learning disability. It won't treat you like a parrot or an infant. It will treat you as an intelligent adult who wants to learn the language. If you can handle that, you'll like this book.

Keep in mind though, that a good book like this is only one facet of learning a language. You basically need to barrage yourself with everything that you can find: read websites, listen to internet radio, find dual language books, find someone to practice with, listen to the language constantly; even if you don't understand, you are getting the sounds of the language in your head. Get a grammar book. Study. Study. Study. And above all, do not believe the hype about modern methods taking you to fluency in two weeks. Not gonna happen. In fact, truth be told, learning languages using 'modern techniques' is quite a bit slower than using traditional methods.

I wouldn't call it "Beginner's Swedish"
While this book and 2 CD set is well laid-out and nicely presented, I feel that the title is very misleading. Although no previous knowledge of the Swedish language is assumed, this book is certainly not for the beginner. Even in the first chapter, a huge vocabulary is introduced to the reader. This includes words which I am fairly sure no beginner would particularly need to know, complex grammar properties and basically far too much material. For the complete beginner like me, it was very overwhelming. I would warn prospective buyers that it would be exceptionally easy to become disheartened with the content of this book.