Helpful and informative, but sycophantic presenter is annoying 
First and foremost, this vocabulary course is a highly useful addition to the Michel Thomas series. The course teaches vocabulary by applying the words to useful sentences that the listener is invited to repeat. For instance, for the adjective 'drinkable/bebible', you are asked to formulate 'el vino no es muy bueno pero es bebible/ the wine is not very good but it is drinkable'. With this basis of structure you can come up your own sentences, so the framework of the course serves as a springboard for your own personal study.
I thought a real strength of the CD was the inclusion of a Latin American speaker (male) and Spanish speaker (female). Their inclusion and repetition of the words and sentences gives the course a real authenticity which is especially vital as the presenter has an at times, in my opinion, shaky command of spanish. For instance, her pronunciation of spanish vowels is awkward.
But the worst aspect of Hayden's presentation is that she comes across as this devoted follower of all things Michel Thomas - any opportunity to reference the man or the method is seized upon with relish. It doesn't take long before it becomes annoying and spread as it is over six chunky CDs you have to inure yourself somewhat.
However due to the all-round usefulness of the CD and the inclusion of the native speakers, I found it helpful but I would imagine for others it would be a turn-off. To give Hayden some credit the recordings are thoughtfully put together, well-structured and rich in learning, and she is excellent at getting you to construct adjectives from the verbs. You'll probably just have to swallow your pride a little bit in order to take full advantage of this worthy course. |
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