neumanc wrote:[list][*]"Langenscheidts Praktischer Sprachlehrgang" (1997). This is a different course from the above-mentioned one. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued, but used copies are still available. It consists of a coursebook (256 pages), an answer key and two cassettes or CDs. This course follows the grammar-translation method which has gone out of fashion today. However, this course is the most comprehensive course for studying Dutch from a German base if you put Assimil aside (at least grammar-wise). The pages are tightly printed, the grammar and translation exercises are thorough. The vocabulary list at the end of the book has about 1,700 entries, which is not so much, but the grammar explanations are top-notch.
Is this the same as the "Praktisches Lehrbuch"? I have one of these I picked up in Berlin just for the collection, I can get some details on it when I get home. I was under the impression the Lehrbuch was their most comprehensive coursebook. I got some of the 30 Stunden books as well for Danish and Russian, they seem pretty good and handy, but obviously not comprehensive.
I'm sort of resistant to learn Dutch because I don't "need" it and am not particularly drawn to it or the Netherlands, so to add something else to my endless list that I don't have enough time for would be somewhat foolish. But in the interest of a more complete picture of the Germanic family it might be inevitable to do. This thread is certainly not helping, knowing that the Assimil & Linguaphone courses are especially highly regarded...