Beginner's Swedish with 2 Audio CDs

by Scott A. Mello and Scott Mellor

Book Overview

Provides an introduction to the native language of Sweden that features 10 lessons which are useful for both classroom use and self-study. Each chapter includes dialogues, basic vocabulary and easy-to-follow discussions of grammar. This book also features exercises, cultural information and a comparison of Swedish and English. Includes 2 Audio CDs featuring native speakers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0781811570
• ISBN13: 9780781811576
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books
• Length: 265 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

a solid foundation

i can't say that i understand what everyone is complaining about. yes, the book gives you a lot of grammar and vocabulary to work with. but having studied three other languages, i'm just happy to have finally found a textbook with real content. usually i end up shelling out for language books that contain more pictures and "white space" than text and inevitably break the bank. i'm new to swedish but i haven't found Beginner's Swedish to be particularly difficult to use.

Solid offering

Okay, in light of the last two reviews, let's try to get some balance here: I have come to the point in my language learning pursuits that I am so very tired of `trained' language professionals touting the benefits of `modern' language learning techniques. If you compare the actual techniques of `modern methods' with techniques used in the past, you will find two things: first, the logical, orderly presentation of concepts that were once found in texts is gone. Second, you will find that the material is `dumbed down.' Sorry... there is really no other way of putting it. Luckily, this book is not written in that fashion. Beginner's Swedish has audio CD's to attune your ear (and tongue) to the sounds of Swedish, but unlike most `modern style' offerings, it also does a wonderful job of presenting the material in a sequential, orderly, logical, graded fashion. Many books these days are all over the place: they introduce grammar concepts randomly and incompletely (if at all), and they offer little, if any, practice to aid in remembering the material. Not this book. Each chapter has two dialogs, a list of vocabulary, a list of phrases, logically sequenced grammar, an etymological comparison of Swedish and English, cultural notes, and although it could use more, it does have a good number of exercises. The CD has audio for each dialog, the phrases, and the vocabulary lists. What this book will not do is pamper you. It will not show you silly, Dick and Jane style, time-wasting cartoons. Rather, it will teach you the language in an efficient, comprehensive manner, if you are willing to put in the time and effort. It does not insult your intelligence and treat you as if you have a learning disability. It won't treat you like a parrot or an infant. It will treat you as an intelligent adult who wants to learn the language. If you can handle that, you'll like this book. Keep in mind though, that a good book like this is only one facet of learning a language. You basically need to barrage yourself with everything that you can find: read websites, listen to internet radio, find dual language books, find someone to practice with, listen to the language constantly; even if you don't understand, you are getting the sounds of the language in your head. Get a grammar book. Study. Study. Study. And above all, do not believe the hype about modern methods taking you to fluency in two weeks. Not gonna happen. In fact, truth be told, learning languages using 'modern techniques' is quite a bit slower than using traditional methods.

Pleasantly surprised

I'm halfway through this Beginner's Swedish. I've studied other Swedish lesson books with audiocassettes, but this Swedish language book is really enjoyable. It has conversations with clear, easy-to-the-ear voices. After each lesson is either a bit about etymology, history, culture, economy or just everyday life, etc. It has useful phrases, and vocabulary, too. So well done! Love it! If there's the next level by Scott Mellor, I'll buy it.

New edition with CDs a big improvement

In the new edition, all the proofreading errors have been cleaned up, and the audio CDs, which cover the dialogues and vocabulary sections, are a big help. This is how the book should have been published originally. Even the new cover is a big improvement. (See customer images.)