Didn't work for me - Rated 
This is the 3rd time I have attempted to learn French. Five fruitless years at school (compulsory subject), as second attempt with evening classes held in the university in which I teach, and now this. Obviously French and I don't mix, so perhaps this product was always going to be doomed to failure with me. I have rated it 2 stars rather than 5 as I admit that it was slightly better fun than the way French was taught at school or in the evening class.
Effective Retention Programme - Rated 
I started to use minds maps last year after studying some of Tony Buzans books on mind maps. I find them very effective at putting thoughts to paper and as a quick memory aide. So I was quite interested in how this technique could be used to aid learning french.
I have to say that I was pleasently surprised at how effective this technique helps you to retain words and phrases.
Tonys belief is that your brain works by connection and that mind mapping connects word and phrases easily together.
My own experience is that peoples brains work in different ways, some people think in pictures, some in numbers, some with words. So I think this technique will work well for some and probably no difference for others.
Basic-ally Brilliant! - Rated 
This is a great basic, yet easy to follow guide to learning the French language. I myself am off to the South of France this year and cannot wait to put some of the phrases I have learnt to good use. Tres Bien and highly recommended!
Fun and interesting way to learn - Rated
I have always wanted to make more of the languages that I learned in school but over time they have slipped from my mind and I find myself a complete beginner once again!
The beauty of the Collins Language Revolution is that you really do take things in and even remember what you are learning. And on top of all that - it's actually fun!
The pack consists of two cds, one to listen with the book and one that you can take out and about with you, and a book to aid the learning. The book itself is colourful, interesting and doesn't look intimidating which has put me off other similar courses before. The book also has clear instructions on which track on the cd corresponds to which part of the book so you know when to pause and do the exercises before moving on.
The French words are broken down into green words: those that are similar to English, amber words: that are similar or remind you of the word in English and red words: those that have nothing in common with the English word. This helps you see how difficult you might find the words as you come upon them on the book/cd. The main premise for this course is that you are using imagination and association to learn and remember the French words. And it really does work! I've always thought of French as a very difficult language to learn but it's made surprisingly simple using this technique and the exercises in the book
Another plus point for this course is that the voices on the cd aren't annoying. Both the man and woman have clear, understandable voices that you can easily try to mimic.
Overall, if you've ever had difficulty learning languages before, are a complete beginner or someone who wants to brush up on old skills - then this is definitely the course for you. It's fun, interesting and interactive and you really can't go wrong. Definitely 5 stars.
Effective - Rated
The book uses brainstorming (with little pictures, if you feel so inclined) as a method of revision. There's also a helpful audio cd packed it. The text book is in a nice friendly format and doesn't overload you too quickly. While it still takes an awful lot of work (learning French is by no stretch of the imagination 'easy') it does seem to stick. I've been at it off and on a few weeks now (after not touching the language since high school) but the basics are starting to feel familiar. Don't expect to pick it up and start chatting away like Jean Reno. It's still difficult. The course here, though, seems to work if you give it the time required.
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