Customer Reviews
Didn't work for me - By: Dr. W. E. Allen, 24 Apr 2008 
This is the 3rd time I have attempted to learn French. Five fruitless years at school (compulsory subject), as second attempt with evening classes held in the university in which I teach, & now this. Obviously French & I don't mix, so perhaps this product was always going to be doomed to failure with me. I have rated it 2 stars rather than 5 as I admit that it was slightly better fun than the way French was taught at school or in the evening class.
Effective Retention Programme - By: Scully Bloke, 21 Apr 2008 
I started to use minds maps last year after studying some of Tony Buzans books on mind maps. I find them very effective at putting thoughts to paper & as a quick memory aide. So I was quite interested in how this technique could be used to aid learning french.
I have to say that I was pleasently surprised at how effective this technique helps you to retain words & phrases.
Tonys belief is that your brain works by connection & that mind mapping connects word & phrases easily together.
My own experience is that peoples brains work in different ways, some people think in pictures, some in numbers, some with words. So I think this technique will work well for some & probably no difference for others.
Basic-ally Brilliant! - By: HotAngel, 15 Apr 2008 
This is a great basic, yet easy to follow guide to learning the French language. I myself am off to the South of France this year & cannot wait to put some of the phrases I have learnt to good use. Tres Bien & highly recommended!
Fun and interesting way to learn - By: josie82, 06 Apr 2008 I have always wanted to make more of the languages that I learned in school but over time they have slipped from my mind & I find myself a complete beginner once again!
The beauty of the Collins Language Revolution is that you reallly do take things in & even remember what you are learning. And on top of alll that - it's actuallly fun!
The pack consists of two cds, one to listen with the book & one that you can take out & about with you, & a book to aid the learning. The book itself is colourful, interesting & doesn't look intimidating which has put me off other similar courses before. The book also has clear instructions on which track on the cd corresponds to which part of the book so you know when to pause & do the exercises before moving on.
The French words are broken down into green words: those that are similar to English, amber words: that are similar or remind you of the word in English & red words: those that have nothing in common with the English word. This helps you see how difficult you might find the words as you come upon them on the book/cd. The main premise for this course is that you are using imagination & association to learn & remember the French words. And it reallly does work! I've always thought of French as a very difficult language to learn but it's made surprisingly simple using this technique & the exercises in the book
Another plus point for this course is that the voices on the cd aren't annoying. Both the man & woman have clear, understandable voices that you can easily try to mimic.
Overalll, if you've ever had difficulty learning languages before, are a complete beginner or someone who wants to brush up on old skills - then this is definitely the course for you. It's fun, interesting & interactive & you reallly can't go wrong. Definitely 5 stars.
Effective - By: Martin I. Smith, 21 Mar 2008 The book uses brainstorming (with little pictures, if you feel so inclined) as a method of revision. There's also a helpful audio cd packed it. The text book is in a nice friendly format & doesn't overload you too quickly. While it still takes an awful lot of work (learning French is by no stretch of the imagination 'easy') it does seem to stick. I've been at it off & on a few weeks now (after not touching the language since high school) but the basics are starting to feel familiar. Don't expect to pick it up & start chatting away like Jean Reno. It's still difficult. The course here, though, seems to work if you give it the time required.
