A language learners’ forum

I tried searching the general Linguaphone discussion thread but didn't really see a clear detailed layout of what an advanced course is like, so I decided to make a new thread strictly about the Advanced courses.


From what I have heard it is good for those who already have a solid A2+/low B1 level foundation(Assimil with ease/first series linguaphone course) and can bring a learner to perhaps a B1+ level, to possibly even low level B2.


But from what I have read, the course is entirely in the target language. To me, that seems a bit odd since Linguaphone Advanced claims that there will be a little over 3,000 words total, or 1,000 new words introduced in the advanced course (the first linguaphone/assimil with ease course is a little over 2,000 words, hence, 1000 new words).

I don't exactly understand how the course is going to teach 1,000 new vocabulary words without some sort of english translation at all .

I am a bit confused how this course works since apparently the entire course is in the target language.

Does anyone have any insight into how these advanced courses work?

Separate Thread for the “Linguaphone Advanced-to-Expert” Courses?
Kevin, I see no need to open a separate discussion thread to discuss these courses, particularly as you have drawn much of your information from the existing thread. As you apparently have not used one of these courses, I suggest that you take advantage of the publisher's "50% price reduction sale" which is still in effect, that you complete the course, and that you file a review under the current General Linguaphone discussion thread.

Language of Instruction
I cannot understand why you should dispute what other members have reported concerning the language of instruction in the Linguaphone Advanced-to-Expert courses. On the publisher’s website it is clearly stated: “This course is comprehensive and is taught entirely through French/German/Spanish." I have all three courses and I can assure that neither the publisher, nor I, nor any of the of members are misrepresenting this fact. There is simply no debate to be had here.

Course Contents
The course is, essentially, a collection of Intermediate Level texts (book publishers are like politicians; they stretch the truth) which are meant to simulate those that one would encounter in native-language media, and scripted dialogues, both of which accompanied by L2 audio recordings. A bilingual glossary is included; however, everything else is in the target language. There is the assumption that the independent-learner for whom these materials were designed has already attained a solid Lower Intermediate level of competency: ("comfortable with reading, writing, and speaking ... but want to achieve complete fluency?") . The approach is: roll up your sleeves, buckle down, and get to work (no more training wheels)!

Some Previous Discussion Threads
Linguaphone French Expert – Really?” – HTLAL, December, 2014
Speakeasy wrote: “In my study of German, I progressed through the "advanced" courses of Assimil, Linguaphone, and Living Language Ultimate, as well as some specialized business texts. At the time, I found the Linguaphone "advanced to expert" course interesting and challenging and I did, indeed, learn something. However, in terms of content, save for the audio, I could have learned as much through reading a couple of a good newspapers or news magazines, as the advanced Assimil material was, in retrospect, sufficient preparation. In my opinion, if you manage to work through all of the material that you listed above, you should move directly to "native" materials, be they newspapers, magazines, radio, podcasts, television, films, or other.”

James29 wrote: "I agree with what was said above. I'll add that I recall a few discussions about the level of Linguaphone's Advanced to Expert courses because I was interested in the Spanish program. The general consensus (at least for Spanish) was that Linguaphone created a good product (entirely in the target language) but it was at a level less than what would be obtained by the advanced Assimil courses. I think your best bet is to stick to Using French and the Business French course... and native materials… I'll also add that your goal level is essentially what I want to obtain in Spanish. I did all of the advanced courses in Spanish (Assimil Using, Living Language, FSI, etc) and have been working with native materials every day for a couple years and I'm still not at the level you describe. The advanced courses are great, but they will only take you so far. They'll give you a great foundation to move on to native materials.”

Linguaphone – Expert Courses – HTLAL, October, 2011
DavidW wrote: “They differ from the advanced assimil courses in these ways: Grammer notes are explained in the target language. There are many written excercises, and some recorded oral exercies. Some exercices are more open-ended than you would find in the beginner courses: write a small article about xyz, write a letter etc. There's quite a few lessons dedicated to phonetics and intonation. I've studied with the French one, which was quite good and carefully prepared, even if the content of the lessons wasn't very inspiring.”

Linguaphone “Second Stage” Courses – HTLAL, May, 2010
Elexi wrote: “Everything is in the target language, so you have to be competent enough to read and hear at a GCSE/B1-ish level - the second stage courses follow the daily life of one person. If you have done the 1st Linguaphone or Assimil they look to be good courses (I haven't actually started yet).”

EDITED:
Tinkering.