Customer Reviews

Collins Spanish with Paul Noble - Learn Spanish the Natural Way, Part 1

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My fiancee being Spanish, I've tried several different methods of learning the language over the past three years - I've got to grips with some of the very basics (a bit of vocab, simple verbs... and some swearing!) but have found myself unable to progress. Memorisation of verb tables just doesn't work for me. I've tried Spanish classes, the Pasos audio/book course and the Michel Thomas method among others but each time have hit a wall, unable to move on to the next level.

I decided last week to give Paul Noble's audio course a bash - the digital download files (14 hours over four downloads) are an absolute bargain and I've spent this weekend intensively working my way through the course.

The method sounds very similar to that of Michel Thomas and in many ways it is. However there are a few crucial differences:

1) Paul himself only really speaks in English, explaining each point slowly and methodically - I sometimes felt with Michel Thomas that I wasn't learning particularly systematically and, as others have said, his accent can also be a bit distracting.

2) Paul doesn't use fellow English speakers as is the case with Michel Thomas. Instead the 'answers' are spoken by two native Spanish speakers, one using Latin American Spanish, the other Castilian. The thing I found most frustrating about Michel Thomas was waiting for the answers - the 'dozy' student slows things down considerably and I found myself getting a bit irritated at times. Paul Noble's course moves forward at a constant but very steady pace.

3) This sounds like a small comment but I've found it hugely important - there's plenty of blank space given after Paul's spoken for you to reply with your answer before the native speakers give theirs. This means you don't need to use the pause button - you can follow the course whilst doing the washing up, the gardening or riding a bike! As I say, this might sound unimportant but when you're working through a 14 hour course it's massively helpful.

I'm nearly finished with the course now and am really keen to make sure I harness the momentum I've picked up. I'm not 100% sure what my next steps will be (perhaps I'll head for the intermediate sections of Pasos) but this has given me a really solid grounding in Spanish. Gracias, Paul!

Fantastically easy! Very useful if you don't know any Spanish, and in need of a decent springboard. I must also highly recomend the Michel Thomas method too, I used both before a trip to Spain last year and really did feel able to achieve considerably more than just 'get by' Spanish - didn't need to swat much either - just listen and repeat. Easy peasy! I will admit, I've forgotten most of it - ha ha - but can use the review cds to refresh the memory, Michel Thomas' pack contains review cds too. Michel Thomas vs Paul Noble - MT is more expensive, but I think they work very well together, and well worth every penny if you bring them together. Would be interested to see if Paul Noble produces an 'Intimediate' or 'Advanced' programme. Total Spanish with the Michel Thomas Method (Michel Thomas Series)

Having studied French to degree level and taught French at night school and English as a foreign language, I am a little sceptical about language courses. I had always meant to learn Spanish, saw how inexpensive this was and thought I'd give it a crack. I stuck it on my iPod while walking the dog and away I went.

I can seriously recommend this as a no-nonsense approach for beginners. Paul Noble breaks down the language into simple component parts and comes up with some great hints for easily extending your knowledge, using repetition to reinforce the learning and then picking up gently later in the lesson.

Can't wait for Part 2!