Review of SurvivalPhrases.com
MP3+text, No pronunciation scores, Cheap, ★
They offer 15 languages, $25 each, with up to 50 phrases. Each phrase (e.g. "Thank you" in formal, informal, and deep gratitude versions) has its own MP3 file of 3-8 minutes, with explanation in English. Transcripts show spelling, including foreign alphabets where applicable.
Lessons are interesting, and will earn you appreciation from locals. Though they have few repetitions, they do have fast and slow breakdowns by syllables, which few other programs offer. They explain meaning; for example thank you in Indonesian, terima kasih, means to accept (terima) with love (kasih). I said the phrase hundreds of times in Indonesia, and never knew that underlying meaning.
The main disadvantages are the few words, and that teachers are not all native speakers. The teacher of Indonesian is from San Diego, now living in Korea. They do not tell you teachers' backgrounds.
Comments in the Bulgarian section say it has only 22 phrases, so not all languages have the full 50 phrases.
MP3+text, No pronunciation scores, Cheap, ★
They offer 15 languages, $25 each, with up to 50 phrases. Each phrase (e.g. "Thank you" in formal, informal, and deep gratitude versions) has its own MP3 file of 3-8 minutes, with explanation in English. Transcripts show spelling, including foreign alphabets where applicable.
Lessons are interesting, and will earn you appreciation from locals. Though they have few repetitions, they do have fast and slow breakdowns by syllables, which few other programs offer. They explain meaning; for example thank you in Indonesian, terima kasih, means to accept (terima) with love (kasih). I said the phrase hundreds of times in Indonesia, and never knew that underlying meaning.
The main disadvantages are the few words, and that teachers are not all native speakers. The teacher of Indonesian is from San Diego, now living in Korea. They do not tell you teachers' backgrounds.
Comments in the Bulgarian section say it has only 22 phrases, so not all languages have the full 50 phrases.
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