Language: Spanish
The only Spanish word I knew before starting the Assimil Spanish course was “hola”. But now, after completing the program, I can speak Spanish! In fact, I can also read and write Spanish without much difficulty. Sometimes, when I’m watching Spanish TV, they speak so fast that some words pass me by but overall, I understand what everyone is saying - and now I’m hooked on Spanish soap operas!
I got to test out my Spanish skills on a short missionary trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras and now I feel even more competent in my language abilities. I had no trouble expressing myself and was able to order in a restaurant with ease and sit down and talk to the locals. I even gave a talk in front of a hundred or so people at the church - in Spanish! Now I can see myself doing more traveling in Spanish speaking countries and listing my new skill on my resume!
Kenneth Rainey
Language: Chinese
My company has expanded its offices to China. As such, I have a higher opportunity for advancement if I learn Chinese. I was talking to my girlfriend about it and she had to learn a foreign language for work. She recommended that I try out the Assimil product. I've never heard of it before but now she wouldn't steer me wrong so decided to try it out.
The Chinese course I received comes with both a course books and CDs. I can listen to the CDs and follow along with the book at my own pace. I can do multiple lessons in one day, stick to one lesson, or repeat the same lesson on multiple days if need be. Assimil doesn't recommend a specific pace. They simply recommend that you go at the pace you feel most comfortable with. Some days I was able to do a couple lessons, other times I could only do one lesson every couple days. So far, It’s working pretty well. Absolutely recommend.
Barbara Soto
Language: French
I bought the Assimil French language course because my company was relocating its headquarters to Quebec and moving all its employees (including me) along with it. Now, I had never studied French at all, and this took me as a complete surprise. Needless to say I was just a bit panicked at the thought of having to learn a new language in just a few months’ time.
Well, lo and behold, I just finished the whole course last week and I'm feeling tres bien about my ability to speak French in any context. I can easily read, write, speak and understand French without too much difficulty. (Note: French movies, shows and news programs can be a little bit difficult to follow, but I can usually figure out what is going on and I can read cartoons pretty well.)
Shirley House
Language: German
Altogether I've taken four years of German in the classroom setting with a couple of years of studying on my own on top of that. Still, I simply could not master speaking German. It wasn't until I started using Assimil's German course that everything started to come together and make sense. Instead of speaking in phrases, I started speaking in complete sentences!
In the classroom there was very little opportunity to speak German. Same thing with the commercial programs that only teach you what to say as a tourist. But I wanted to learn to communicate in every day situations. Basically, I was seeking to become fluent in German instead of just learning phrases like, "Where is the restroom?" And "Can you please carry my bags?" Instead, I learned, "Excuse me, could you please help me?' As part of the Assimil German Language course. This phrase can be used anywhere for any reason you need help. See the difference?
Scott Caldwell
Language: Hebrew
So the only Hebrew I had been exposed to was what I memorized for my Bar Mitzvah. I really wanted to learn Hebrew well this time, so I could speak fluently to my relatives.
My aunt had recommended Assimil because my cousin used it to learn Hebrew, so I thought I would give it a try. It wasn't very expensive compared to some of the other language learning programs. My dad split the cost with me because we were both learning Hebrew at the same time. He had a lot of fun speaking to my mom, and it brought tears to my mom's eyes to hear her husband speaking the language of her family and childhood again.
Josh Fermann
Language: Italian
I picked up Assimil for Italian to prep for a trip to Italy. I focused on the audio portion of each lesson to practice listening to Italian. The lessons start off pretty short and easy, but as you advance in skill, they become longer and more in-depth. Assimil recommends that you spend about 30 minutes a day per lesson. This wasn't difficult, and some days I could do 3 lessons a day. I like to take notes for each lessons, because it really helps me learn.
The way the lesson is laid out is with Italian on the left and English on the right. On the bottom of the page are notes on grammar and culture. I have always enjoyed grammar as a language student. You learn the grammar as you go, so it integrates well with what you are learning. I also found the notes on culture very helpful for understanding the basis of the language, and also come in handy for my trip to Italy.
Anthony Clark
Language: Japanese
I won't lie. I was pretty intimidated at the idea of picking up Japanese. A friend suggested Assimil, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
For the most part, I followed the instructions Assimil gives to the learner: listen to the audio file with the book closed, then read the book without the audio playing, then do both at the same time. About half way through, Assimil switches from the “passive” phase to the “active” phase. This is where the lessons review previously learned materials and help you to put together words and phrases in new ways to say more things.
It may sound extremely simple, and maybe it is, but it has been extremely effective. I’m roughly 60% of the way through the course. After each dialogue, a series of sentences and expressions will be presented to you that take the words you have just learned and rearranges them in different ways. This was especially helpful, because it made it easier for me to get the benefit of immersion in the language.
Donna Francois
Language: Portuguese
If you are interested in south American culture, the stunning landscapes, and monuments there- then you would benefit from learning Brazilian Portuguese using the Assimil language learning system.
I started Assimil’s Brazilian Portuguese course with zero prior knowledge of Brazilian Portuguese. Now, I just completed the entire program only last week, and I feel really confident with what I’ve learned. I can now read, write, speak and understand Brazilian Portuguese with very little difficulty. Although, I’m not totally fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. Their movies and news programs are sometimes difficult to follow, but I can always understand the gist of what is being said, and I can follow and understand my favorite Brazilian shows pretty easily.
I spent some time in Florianopolis for educational purposes as well as for work and leisure (It’s a long story), and I believe the European language competence system is a fair assessment. After all, Europe is a collection of many countries in close proximity to each other, so I feel they should know what they’re talking about.
Charles Hendricks
Language: Russian
I just spent the summer abroad exploring St. Petersburg, Russia for an international immersion program. I have always wanted to visit St. Petersburg, with its rich culture and golden palaces. I was a little nervous before my trip because I spoke no Russian. But, I did not need to be thanks to Assimil Russian Language Course.
I came across the course when I did an internet search. I was a little weary because Assimil is not a name that I have heard before when it came to language learning. I found out later that Assimil courses are very popular in Europe.
Michael Grier
Language: Spanish
The only Spanish word I knew before starting the Assimil Spanish course was “hola”. But now, after completing the program, I can speak Spanish! In fact, I can also read and write Spanish without much difficulty. Sometimes, when I’m watching Spanish TV, they speak so fast that some words pass me by but overall, I understand what everyone is saying - and now I’m hooked on Spanish soap operas!
I got to test out my Spanish skills on a short missionary trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras and now I feel even more competent in my language abilities. I had no trouble expressing myself and was able to order in a restaurant with ease and sit down and talk to the locals. I even gave a talk in front of a hundred or so people at the church - in Spanish! Now I can see myself doing more traveling in Spanish speaking countries and listing my new skill on my resume!
Kenneth Rainey
