I just picked up Linguaphone German from my local library. 4 books and 9 CDs in a large box certainly looks impressive but I don’t think it’s as good as Pimsleur. Looking through the books it clearly goes to a higher level and has far more explanations of grammar in it. But I think it does it too quickly and I’m not convinced a beginner would find it much use on it’s own. For someone who already has familiarity with the language it may work quite well. Watch this space.
I’m now very close to the end of Pimsleur’s German III. I’m up to lesson 20 which overall is lesson 80 out of 90.
I have just realised however that there is a 10 lesson set called German Plus designed to go after German III but my library doesn’t have it. I still recommend it to anyone wishing to learn a language, at least if you can get access to it for free.
I’m now officially one ninth of my way through the Pimsleur German course (that is I’ve finished Unit 10 of German I - Beginner). It’s still as good as I said previously. Although I think perhaps they should rename “How to be annoying in German”. Towards the end of unit 10, you have a conversation with a woman about having a meal.
“She will suggest a series of times to you. Refuse each time in turn and suggest an hour later.”
Another funny thing I noticed looking at the covers for the rest of the course, the three levels are “Beginner”, “Intermediate” but not “Advanced”. The third level is “Intermediate Plus”. Subtle way of saying even if you complete the course you have a way to go yet.
Least favourite German fragment so far: “jetzt nichts”.