I am trying to learn German using Duolingo and Memrise. However, I know that I need to supplement my studies before moving on to native materials. In that regard, I have a copy of Assimil German without Toil (1965), including audio. However, I am concerned that the language might be antiquated. I certainly do not want to invest a lot of time if that is the case. Has anyone previously used the program? Thank in advance for any information.
-Chris Phillips
Assimil German without Toil (1965)
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
Some of the vocab and spelling is antiquated and they use Gothic script towards the end but the pros outweigh the cons heavily. I'd say go for it.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
chrisphillips71 wrote:I am trying to learn German using Duolingo and Memrise. However, I know that I need to supplement my studies before moving on to native materials. In that regard, I have a copy of Assimil German without Toil (1965), including audio. However, I am concerned that the language might be antiquated. I certainly do not want to invest a lot of time if that is the case. Has anyone previously used the program? Thank in advance for any information.
-Chris Phillips
if you care about pronunciation I could send you a file with some minimal pairs witch could help you to learn the sounds which foreigners find hard to hear and differentiate and you can find many pronunciation courses on youtube.
Last edited by Voytek on Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
I have listened to L'allemand Sans Peine (1939). You'll learn how to swear at servants and other little people and in hindsight the course finishes on an ominous note. Great fun to listen to and quite modern. The textbook is 3,00€ used on Ebay.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
You will also learn how to avoid going to dinner parties with neighbours you don't like. What modern language course teaches you that?
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
I have a slightly later edition of this course, same content but unfortunately they only use the gothic script in a couple of lessons. The content is great and will give you a sensible chuckle every now and then.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
reineke wrote:I have listened to L'allemand Sans Peine (1939). You'll learn how to swear at servants and other little people and in hindsight the course finishes on an ominous note. Great fun to listen to and quite modern. The textbook is 3,00€ used on Ebay.
What is the ominous note?
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
I like the last two versions. I prefer the 2014 over all of the other courses.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
Seneca wrote:reineke wrote:I have listened to L'allemand Sans Peine (1939). You'll learn how to swear at servants and other little people and in hindsight the course finishes on an ominous note. Great fun to listen to and quite modern. The textbook is 3,00€ used on Ebay.
What is the ominous note?
A border incident between France and Germany.
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Re: Assimil German without Toil (1965)
Jokes aside - German Without Toil has some antiquated vocabulary - for example, it prefers 'verzeihung' for 'pardon' instead of entschuldigung (although people will still say verzeihung) or Jawohl in situations it would never be used. It is in the formal register (much more Sie than du). It tends to use the genitive case (e.g. 'die Schwester des Doktors') rather more than it would be used in modern speech.
But aside from those foibles, it is one of the classic German courses that teaches one a huge amount if you commit to it - and you have it free, with audio - so go for it.
But aside from those foibles, it is one of the classic German courses that teaches one a huge amount if you commit to it - and you have it free, with audio - so go for it.
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