Customer Reviews
Deutsche plus - By: Mr. Ian Dukes, 13 Jul 2008 
This is probably the worse course book I have ever seen. The audio bounces around the chapters so it is very difficult to follow the audio. They introduce new words without giving examples to whether it is der die or das. For all you teachers out there, this may seem quite adequate (as most teachers seem to have an elitist attitude), but for us students this is a real painin the rear! You have to keep referring to the glossary, which really takes the fun out of learning German. As all you are really learning is now to navigate the glossary efficiently. Well, as you can imagine, by the fifth time of flipping to the glossary you're getting bored & you end up wondering off to do something more interesting. Save your money & buy the Michel Thomas CD's...
Another little excellent course is Talk German. Just make sure you buy the version with the CD's & not just the book. It's a bit basic if you already have an understanding of the language but it's a fun book all the same.
Inspiring product - By: , 02 Aug 2004 
I was inspired to learn German after watching the BBC Education broadcast on TV. I thought I would just see the first 5 minutes of the late night broadcast, then after 6 hours & 20 episodes, all with no subtitles, I bought the book, CDs & work book.
Unfortunately there only seams to be one broadcast a year, so you will need to wait untill April 2005 or there abouts to see the TV series, which is excellent. The BBC really should sell a DVD of their language broadcasts. The broadcast times are available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/education. Lots of info on learning German here http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/library/german.shtml
The level is similar to GCSE & would be a good introduction if you are thinking of doing GCSE German. It is very practical focusing on German you would usein day to day life. Travel, job applications, finding a flat to rent, trains, time, shopping, hobbies & interests.
The book has full colour photos & illustrations & fairly large print, also its printed on good quality glossy paper. It's very easy to read with a nice chapter size, grammar is simply explained with vocabluary introducedin small amounts. This will be a great book if you find other books too much like a school text book.
One chapter a day would be easy to do. About half the book is tiedin to the TV series, which is about a man joining a German TV station & learning German, but you do not need to see the TV show to work through the book. The TV show is like a TV soap series, a very good cast, very high standard of acting, a large number of location scenes & a genuinely interesting story.
In total there is this course book, 4 CDs or 4 tapes & a work book. There is also a Tutor's Cassette Pack with only German.
Deutsch Plus 2 is a follow up course by the BBC with a book & 4 audio tapes. Deutsch Plus 2 is not associated with the TV series or characters. Just a way of taking things further. I put thisin as some people prefer courses over isolated books.
An above average course book for teaching beginner's German - By: Jess E. Clayton, 18 Apr 2001 I am currently using this book along with the accompaning cassettes & workbook to teach a group of adult student's beginning German. I have found it to be helpful & accurate. The workbook only gives two pages of activities per chapter, unfortunately, but the chapters themeselves are well laid out, & helpful for building speaking abilityin particular. If you are unsing it to teach, you will probably have to provide some supplemental information for your students, particularilyin grammar.
