EARWORMS RAPID LANGUAGES

language advantage brings you top language courses from Earworms to help you learn to speak a language on your CD, MP3, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Enjoy learning languages in a completely unique and fun way with Earworms Rapid language courses. Listen to the rhythmic repetition of songs and melodies to help you learn the language by using your long-term memory or what they call the ‘accelerated learning technique’. You will be speaking real language without even realising it! The Earworms Rapid language course range is available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Learn to speak a language in 70 minutes and on the go with Earworms Rapid Languages!

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01 Earworms Rapid Arabic

levels: beginner (Volume 1) - intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Arabic
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Arabic language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Arabic straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Arabic language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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02 Earworms Rapid Brazilian Portuguese

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Brazilian Portuguese
method: MP3 download only (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Brazilian Portuguese language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Brazilian Portuguese straight away!

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Brazilian Portuguese language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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03 Earworms Rapid Cantonese

level: beginner (Volume 1 only)
language: Cantonese
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Cantonese language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Cantonese straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Cantonese language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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04 Earworms Rapid Dutch

level: beginner (Volume 1 only)
language: Dutch
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Dutch language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Dutch straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Dutch language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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05 Earworms Rapid French

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: French
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the French language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real French straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid French language course on earwormslearning.com>>

REVIEW! read our review of the Earworms Rapid French Volume 1>> and the Earworms Rapid French Volume 2>>

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06 Earworms Rapid German

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: German
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the German language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real German straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid German language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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07 Earworms Rapid Greek

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Greek
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Greek language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Greek straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Greek language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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08 Earworms Rapid Italian

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Italian
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Italian language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Italian straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Italian language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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09 Earworms Rapid Japanese

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Japanese
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Japanese language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Japanese straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Japanese language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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10 Earworms Rapid Mandarin Chinese

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Mandarin Chinese
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Mandarin Chinese language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Mandarin Chinese straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Mandarin Chinese language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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11 Earworms Rapid Polish

level: beginner (Volume 1 only)
language: Polish
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Polish language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Polish straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Polish language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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12 Earworms Rapid Portuguese

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Portuguese
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Portuguese language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Portuguese straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Portuguese language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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13 Earworms Rapid Russian

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Russian
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Russian language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Russian straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Russian language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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14 Earworms Rapid Spanish

level: beginner (Volume 1) – intermediate (Volume 2)
language: Spanish
method: audio cd, MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Spanish language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad, whilst Volume 2 deals with more general conversational terms including the past, present and future tenses. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Spanish straight away! This product is available as a download as well as on audio CD.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Spanish language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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15 Earworms Rapid Turkish

level: beginner (Volume 1)
language: Turkish
method: MP3 download (phrasebook is included)

Learn essential words at the heart of the Turkish language and how to put them together to make yourself understood. Volume 1 deals with the essentials you need for a trip abroad. This  is a fun way to learn a language rapidly and will have you speaking real Spanish straight away! This product is currently only available as a download.

for more information and to buy the Earworms Rapid Turkish language course on earwormslearning.com>>

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browse more Earworms language courses on earwormslearning.com>>

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MICHEL THOMAS JAPANESE (USA)

language advantage brings you our top Japanese language courses using the audio Michel Thomas method to learn Japanese, from the famous language teacher to the stars!

Enjoy learning Japanese in a totally revolutionary way with Michel Thomas Method Japanese language courses. This unique method has been perfected over a lifetime of teaching. No books, no pens, no notes and no exercises from this totally audio language course.  It works by building up the language in manageable chunks bit by bit. Just relax, listen, connect and learn. And you really do make so much progress while learning Japanese, even if you’ve never succeeded in learning a language before. Now you can learn Japanese with the Michel Thomas Method, in a fraction of the time needed for any other course.

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browse Michel Thomas Method Japanese language courses UK>>

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01 Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese Get Started Kit

level: beginner
language: Japanese
method: audio CDs

A two-hour short course with audio method for learning Japanese. Join your teacher and you will soon be able to construct speak basic Japanese. By the end, you will have the confidence to understand and speak some Japanese.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese Get Started Kit on amazon.com>>

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02 Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese for Beginners

level: beginner
language: Japanese
method: audio CDs

An eight-hour, 100% audio method for learning Japanese. Join your teacher and you will soon be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. By the end, you will have the confidence to understand and speak Japanese.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese for Beginners on amazon.com>>

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03 Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese Advanced

level: intermediate to Advanced
language: Japanese
method: audio CDs

An audio method for learning Japanese. Join your teacher and fellow students to learn and improve on your Japanese language, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. By the end, you will have advanced vocabulary, excellent conversation skills and greater confidence to speak Japanese.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Speak Japanese Advanced on amazon.com>>

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Other editions of Michel Thomas Method Japanese:

 

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04 Michel Thomas Method Japanese Introductory 2-hour course

level: beginner (note: this short course is the first two hours of the Michel Thomas Japanese Foundation 8-hour course)
language: Japanese
method: audio CD

This is the first two hours of the eight-hour Michel Thomas Japanese Foundation course. Join your teacher and two students in a live lesson and within the first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Japanese Introductory language course from amazon.com>>

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05 Michel Thomas Method Japanese Foundation 8-hour course

level: beginner
language: Japanese
method: audio CDs

An eight-hour, 100% audio method for learning Japanese. Join your teacher and two students in a live lesson and within the first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. By the end, you will have the confidence to understand and speak Japanese.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Japanese Foundation language course on amazon.com>>

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06 Michel Thomas Method Japanese Advanced course

level: advanced
language: Japanese
method: audio CDs

The advanced courses are the follow-on to Michel Thomas’ highly acclaimed Foundation 8-hour course. With his unique method, perfected over a lifetime’s teaching, Michel will take you on to the next level so you are speaking advanced Japanese easily and fluently. Join Michel and two students in a live classroom situation and build your knowledge at an astonishing rate. With no pens, no paper, no homework and no memorising, you will be able to speak with confidence – even if you’ve never succeeded in learning a language before. Now you can learn Japanese with the Michel Thomas method, in a fraction of the time needed for any other course.

for more information and to buy Michel Thomas Method Japanese Advanced on amazon.com>>

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browse our Michel Thomas Language Advantage store for more Michel Thomas language courses and books on amazon.com>>

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MICHEL THOMAS JAPANESE (UK)

language advantage brings you our top Japanese language courses using the audio Michel Thomas method to learn Japanese, from the famous language teacher to the stars!

Enjoy learning Japanese in a totally revolutionary way with Michel Thomas Method Japanese language courses. This unique method has been perfected over a lifetime of teaching. No books, no pens, no notes and no exercises from this totally audio language course.  It works by building up the language in manageable chunks bit by bit. Just relax, listen, connect and learn. And you really do make so much progress while learning Japanese, even if you’ve never succeeded in learning a language before. Now you can learn Japanese with the Michel Thomas Method, in a fraction of the time needed for any other course.

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browse Michel Thomas Method Japanese language courses USA>>

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01 Michel Thomas Method START Japanese new!

language: Japanese
level: beginner – this one hour course replaces the Introductory course from previous ranges
method: audio cd/mp3

Learn 50 essential words at the heart of Japanese and how to put them together to make yourself understood. This one-hour introduction to the Michel Thomas method will have you speaking real Japanese straight away. There are no books, no pens and no memorising – just listen, connect and speak.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method START Japanese language course on amazon.co.uk>>
Michel Thomas Method START Japanese is not currently available in the USA nor available as a download from audible.co.uk

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02 Michel Thomas Method TOTAL Japanese new!

level: beginner – this 12 hour course replaces the Foundation Course, Vocabulary Builder and Foundation Review from previous ranges
language: Japanese
method: audio cd, visual review course and interactive exercises for PC or Mac

This method works with your brain, helping you to build up your Japanese in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out the answers for yourself. You learn through listening and speaking without the pressure of writing or memorizing. You pick up the language naturally and unforgettably.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method TOTAL Japanese language course on amazon.co.uk>>
Michel Thomas Method TOTAL Japanese is not currently available in the USA nor available as a download from audible.co.uk

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03 Michel Thomas Method PERFECT Japanese new!

level: intermediate/advanced – this 9 hour course replaces the Advanced course, Vocabulary Builder and Advanced Review from previous ranges
language: Japanese
method: audio cd, visual review course and interactive exercises for PC or Mac

Perfect Japanese with the Michel Thomas Method includes up to 9 hours of audio on CD. Become a fluent speaker and understand in any situation with this follow-on course.This title has not yet been released in the UK until April 2012 but is available for pre-order.

for more information and to pre-order the Michel Thomas Method PERFECT Japanese language course on amazon.co.uk>>
Michel Thomas Method PERFECT Japanese is not currently available in the USA nor available as a download from audible.co.uk

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Previous editions of Michel Thomas Method Japanese language courses:

   

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04 Michel Thomas Method Japanese Introductory 2-hour course

level: beginner (note: this short course is the first 2 hours of the original Foundation 8-hour course)
language: Japanese
method: 2 audio CDs plus a booklet with Japanese phrases with English translation and transliterated into Roman script or mp3 download of audio book

This is the first two hours of the eight-hour Japanese Foundation Course. Join your teacher and two students in a live lesson and within the first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Japanese Introductory 2-hour language course on amazon.co.uk>>
for more information and to download the Michel Thomas Method Introductory 2-hour Japanese language course from audible.co.uk>>

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05 Michel Thomas Method Japanese Foundation 8-hour course

level: beginner
language: Japanese
method: 8 audio CDs plus a booklet with Japanese phrases in English translation and transliterated into Roman script

An eight-hour, 100% audio method for learning Japanese. Join your teacher and students in a live lesson and within the first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases. You will learn the language with the students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. By the end, you will have the confidence to understand and speak Japanese.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Japanese Foundation language course on amazon.co.uk>>

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06 Michel Thomas Japanese Advanced 5-hour course

level: advanced
language: Japanese
method: 4 audio CDs plus a booklet with Japanese phrases in English translation and transliterated into Roman script

The advanced courses are the follow-on to Michel Thomas’ highly acclaimed Foundation 8-hour course. With his unique method, perfected over a lifetime’s teaching, Michel will take you on to the next level so you are speaking advanced Japanese easily and fluently. Join your teacher and two students in a live classroom situation and build your knowledge at an astonishing rate. With no pens, no paper, no homework and no memorising, you will be able to speak with confidence – even if you’ve never succeeded in learning a language before. Now you can learn Japanese with the Michel Thomas method, in a fraction of the time needed for any other course.

for more information and to buy the Michel Thomas Method Japanese Advanced language course on amazon.co.uk>>

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08 Michel Thomas Method Japanese 20 minute free sample

level: beginner
language: Japanese
method: downloadable to your ipod, mp3 player or even to your mobile phone, PDA or satellite navigation system

This is a 20-minute sample of the best-selling Michel Thomas Method Japanese Language Course, offering you a fast-track introduction to Japanese.

for more information and to sign up for the Michel Thomas Method Japanese 20 minute sample on audible.co.uk>>

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browse our Language Advantage Michel Thomas shop for more Michel Thomas Method language courses and books on amazon.co.uk>>

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Did you know … the Japanese love the Glasgow accent?

A survey by Northumbria University in the UK has shown that Japanese learners of English find the Glaswegian accent in Scotland the most socially attractive. More than 500 people were questioned in the study to find out how worldwide perceptions of the English language are changing. Read more

Rock Star Keeping the Okinawan Language Alive

A wannabe Japanese rock star is working to prevent the Okinawan language from becoming extinct.

Byron Fija, whose mother was Okinawan and father American, had orgininally denied his Japanese heritage and left Japan for America, in an attempt to become a rock star. But when that did not work out, he returned to Okinawa Read more

Multilingual Mamma Mia!

The stage show Mamma Mia! has been seen by more than 30 million people in over 170 cities in 8 languages around the world, including in Dutch, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish.   The foreign language productions keep the essence of the English-language version of the show and the songs while adapting them into local languages – and sometimes even adapting the characters.

Read more about Mamma Mia! in other languages>>

JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSES FOR KIDS

language advantage brings you the best and most innovative language courses for children to learn Japanese. Get the Japanese language advantage for kids!

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01 Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii My Japanese coach

Can’t get your kids off their DS? Well let them learn while they play! This Japanese language game, available on both the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii, teaches you Japanese in small chunks and then introduces tonnes of games to help you practice.
for more information and to buy, browse our Language Advantage Kids shop on amazon.co.uk>>
for more information and to buy, browse our Language Advantage Kids store on amazon.com>>

02 carry an electronic Japanese dictionary translator

Fun and colourful, this handheld dictionary will give your kids the Japanese word they are looking for immediately. It will help build their vocabulary, especially when used on location in Japan!
more information and to buy a dictionary translator from Ectaco>>

03 get a Japanese-speaking Language Littles toy doll

These lovely little toy dolls will enchant your child, and will also help them learn the Japanese language while playing – these dolls speak Japanese as well as English! Each Language Little will recite between 25 and 30 phrases with the help of a sound chip in the doll’s tummy – including greetings, numbers, colours and days of the week. Language Littles toy dolls are not currently available on amazon.co.uk.
for more information and to buy, browse our Language Advantage Kids store on amazon.com>>

04 Vocabulary Builder Learn Japanese

A CD-ROM for children who are beginning in Japanese.   The speech recognition gives your kids the chance to record their voices and then play them back in a cinema show! Great fun and packed full of games. Over 100 words including colours, numbers, actions and simple sentences.   For ages from 4 to 12 – but popular with adults too!
for more information and to buy, browse our Language Advantage Kids shop on amazon.co.uk>>
for more information and to buy, browse our Language Advantage Kids store on amazon.com>>

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Other ways to learn Japanese for kids

more Japanese language courses and dictionaries for children on amazon.co.uk>>
more Japanese language courses and dictionaires for children on amazon.com>>
more Japanese language cd-rom software for children on amazon.co.uk>>
more Japanese language cd-rom software for children on amazon.com>>

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JAPANESE LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS

Spirited Away (2003)

An independent  language advantage film review by Sarah Carroll

Spirited Away has been heralded as one of the must-see children’s films of all time and is indeed captivating for adults and children alike. It is an animated film (that the Japanese seem to be so good at) with Chihiro, a 10-year old in the centre of the plot. She is moving with her family to a new house and on the way her father takes a detour and they end up going for a walk through a tunnel. What happens on the other side of the tunnel in this new world is the result of an amazing imagination. Chihiro has to give up a lot to survive, even her name. However, it can be a bit intense and edgy though – I watched it with my seven-year old and he covered his eyes at many points. To me, it is a cross between Monsters Inc and Harry Potter, without any comedy. If you look closely at the DVD cover you will get an idea of the types of characters you’ll come across in the film.

On the DVD that we watched, it was a double DVD with the film in the Japanese language but it also had an English language version. If you are watching it with younger kids who don’t speak Japanese, I would go for the English version first as I think the ‘scare’ factor is increased if they can’t understand the words and are instead picking up on every nuance of the music soundtrack as they can’t keep up with subtitles.

Winner of the 2003 Oscar for Best Animated Film and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It has been the most successful film release ever in Japan.

The Director of the film is Hayao Miyazaki, who also directed Princess Mononoke. In Japanese with English subtitles. Some DVDs in English.

To buy  Spirited  Away  and other  Japanese language films>>
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Princess Mononoke (2001)

An independent  language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks

The film is set in ancient Japan; the story begins with a Curse God approaching a small village and destroying everything that gets in its way. Prince Ashitaka (Billy Crudup) rides out to stop the God and he succeeds in killing it. The God puts a curse on him, which will eventually kill him. The village wise woman tells Ashitaka that he must travel west and find the Forest Spirit who is his only hope for survival. The film portrays his trek to find the Forest Spirit and the encounters he finds along the way.

On his travels the Prince becomes friends with a monk (Billy Bob Thornton) and he comes to the edge of a forest where Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver) has built a village with a large ironworks. With the creation of her village she has caused a lot of animals to die, leading to near extinction. The animal gods of the forest begin attacking humans who come too near to them and who pose a threat. This is where we meet Princess Mononoke (Claire Danes) who is fighting alongside the animals and will stop at nothing to kill Eboshi.

Princess Mononoke is a Disney film, but when watching it you would not think so. Yes, there is a prince and a princess and of course the moral of man vesus nature but that is as far as the traditional story tale from Disney goes. The film has violent images and a lot of bloodshed, but this helps to tell the story. The visual images of the film are fantastic and Miyazaki really is a genius when it comes to directing. If you enjoyed Spirited Away you will definitely enjoy Princess Mononoke.

Language is Japanese with English subtitles.

To buy  Princess Mononoke  and other  Japanese language films>>

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Akira (1987)

An independent  language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks

Akira is a Japanese animation. Directed and written by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira begins on July 16 1988. What seems to be an atomic bomb is dropped on Tokyo, completely destroying the city and WW3 begins. We are taken 31 years later to Neo-Tokyo (a city risen from the ruins of old Tokyo). The city is experiencing problems caused by biker gangs. Tetsuo, a member of a bike gang has a near accident with a young boy. The military capture both the young boy and Tetsuo. They discover that Tetsuo has a psychic ability.

Tetsuo is then used as a test subject to find Akira (the cause of the explosion that destroyed Tokyo in 1988). The military’s plan to find Akira using Tetsuo backfires and Tetsuo becomes a medium for Akira. Tetsuo has incredible powers and begins to go on a rampage that leads to violent and bloody death, nearly destroys Neo Tokyo, and reveals Akira’s secrets which have been buried for over 30 years.

Akira is a fantastic visual film. It verges on a little too much violence at times but this only adds to the impact of the film. Even though it is an animation Akira shows a scary future which is very real. The characters are so well thought out that you cannot help but feel for them even though they are animated. This film is a must although I would not recommend it for children as it is anything but a Disney film. It is very graphic and violent and there are brief scenes of nudity during the film.

A Japanese animation with English subtitles.

To buy  Akira  and other  Japanese language films>>

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The Oscars 2009

The 81^st Annual Academy Awards ® were held on Sunday 22^nd February 2009 in Hollywood.   The Oscars ® reached film fans in over 100 countries. The lower-budget, but highly-acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, won many Oscars ®, including for the Best Picture.   It is in the English, Urdu and Hindi languages. Read more

TEACH YOURSELF JAPANESE CONVERSATION REVIEW

An independent language course review by Sarah Maddocks

Teach yourself Japanese Conversation is a 3-hour, 3 CD, all-audio language course which is aimed at complete beginners or people who want to refresh their Japanese. Don’t even think about trying to do the course all in one go – it would be near impossible not to mention brain frazzling!

The CDs follow a couple called Chris and Sarah (I know, original names!) whilst visiting an ex-colleague in Japan. The idea of the CD is to learn the language through 20 conversations that Chris & Sarah have with native speakers. The course is accompanied by a booklet containing transcripts of the conversations; the key vocabulary is in bold.

The content of the CDs differ. CD1 & CD2 have 10 real-life conversations about things that you’d be doing on a weekend break or a short holiday or business visit to the country. For each conversation, there are two dialogues in three sections: the first section is listen and repeat, the second section is using the language in context and the final section is practising the conversation again. The CD3 is a recap session and gives you lots more real-life conversations.

When I first started listening to CD1, the first thought that sprang into my mind was ‘why on earth had I decided to even attempt to learn Japanese’. I stupidly (stupidly as in for future reference don’t do this) made the mistake of opening the booklet before I pressed play and thought I was way out of my depth. Still, I carried on and am glad I did. From the start I knew I had made the right decision with this course. The narrator is not irritatingly bland like on some courses – in fact quite the opposite as she is reassuring and easy to listen to.

The fab thing about the CDs is they are repetitive (in a good way) and the narrator often advises you to pause the CD which is easy to do. Throughout the sections some basic grammar rules are explained, as well as when to use and when not to use certain constructions.

CD2 continues on from CD1 and the level remains the same throughout, which is great as it doesn’t progress too fast or too slow (in other words just right).

CD3 is what would be called the revision CD. All the conversations in the booklet are replayed at normal speed and then a different version is played, with a kind of question time at the start. I found this a great way of recapping and actually testing what I had learnt (seeing as in the past I think I have mastered a self-study tape but in actual fact I really have no idea about the language!).

The booklet offers explanations of what to do in certain cultural situations. This is particularly handy if you go to Japan. The last thing you’d want to do is blow your nose, offend the whole room and have no idea why!

This 3-hour course is absolutely fabulous (excuse the quote from the television programme!). To me it seemed like a great 3-hour exam preparation course. Instead of boring me slightly (GCSE German memories flooding back!), it was very entertaining and made me feel that I would be able to handle myself in any one of the situations played out in the conversations and more importantly understand what was being said back to me.

I especially recommend this to people who have done language courses before and found them dull and uninteresting, as this is completely different. You actually come out of this course with a real sense of achievement.

I would recommend this to everyone who wants to learn a more adventurous language and who isn’t scared of challenges along the way. I especially recommend this to people who have done language courses before and found them dull and uninteresting, as this is completely different. You actually come out of this course with a real sense of achievement and a feeling that you could now go to Japan and find the train station, and more importantly order a beer and a sake!!!

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