Pimsleur Hebrew Basic Course - Level 1 Lessons 1-10 CD: Learn to Speak and Understand Hebrew with Pimsleur Language Programs

This is fun, I find myself wanting to do more lessons per day than it's supposed to. I look forward to getting to the next level. However, there is a major drawback - it's clearly aimed at american men trying to hit on israeli women, which for me - a non-american woman - is not that amusing. But it's worth it.

This is a wonderful way to learn how to speak a new language. The lessons or units (as the narrator says) start off with simple conversations which are then broken down into words and those words are then broken down into sounds. I found myself picking up the new sounds and words very quickly. As you progress through the units, the conversations that are presented get a little longer and a bit more complex. The pace of each unit was excellent. There was enough time to repeat what the speaker said, but not so much that the flow of the conversation was lost. I should say that I did study Hebrew many years ago for a short time, so some of the units were a review of sorts, rather than something brand new. The only thing with which I had an issue was the fact that there is no printed material with this set of CDs. Some of the sounds in Hebrew can be difficult to understand without having something written to verify the spelling of certain words. Luckily, I am around people who speak Hebrew, so I was able to consult them for clarification of some words though any good English/Hebrew dictionary should be able to help you if use the Pimsleur course. I have also used the German version of this course, and it was also very good for basic understanding of a new language.

I tried 'Instant Immersion' software - pretty much a disaster. 'Living Israeli Hebrew' is just wonderful -- for reading and writing, which I actually am learning because I like the program so much. Figure I'll be able to read a few signs, anyhow. But for speaking, gotta go with Pimsleur. I never used this system before -- learned pidgin Japanese with "Learn in Your Car" system which was fine -- but I'm a Pimsleur convert, now. The words are pronounced with great clarity, brief explanations in English of key issues or cultural idioms are provided, and the mix of little one-item quizzes as you go gives unexpected confidence. The pacing is excellent, and the way vocabulary and phrases build carefully upon previous lessons is wonderfully reinforcing. Unfortunately, I gather there is only 'basic' and the whole'level I.' Be awfully nice to be able to get Level I in stages 1-2-3.