Posted in 52 Books in 52 Weeks 2009

Language Logic would be a good read for you if you don't really know anything about learning a foreign language and if you learn best by constant (and I do mean CONSTANT) repetition. If you have a basic understanding that learning a language involves four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and that grammar and vocabulary are important elements too, then you will most likely be bored by this book.  I don't think it contained anything I didn't know or any technique I hadn't thought of other than marking every word you look up in the dictionary. I regret spending $25 on it, but I thought it would be more helpful for an advanced language learner.

I also thought it was organized poorly, because it discusses techniques for when you are studying abroad first, and then later goes through the skills necessary in learning a language, plus grammar and vocabulary (and somebody should clue the illustrator into the fact that it's not spelled "grammer"!). In my experience, few people begin studying a language by going abroad to learn it, and it's not really the best way to do so. When I was studying in Germany, I met a French lady who spoke no German whatsoever.  Her company wanted to expand into Germany and had sent her to learn some German.  It really was a waste of time and money, because she had no basis to begin with and the class, even at the beginning level, was entirely in German.

Since this book was so long, it slowed my reading progress down. I was getting annoyed at her saying the same things over and over, but was determined to hang in there just in case she might tell me something useful for my situation.  She uses pop culture references to explain some things, which was cute at the beginning.  I've never watched America's Next Top Model, but I'm sad to say that the examples she used reinforced my stereotype of models not being too bright.

I was very thankful to finally finish reading this book.  I do intend to go back over the techniques for the four skills and make a list of ones I might like to do.  Once I am done with that, it's on to:

Language Logic! Autographed copy! A bargain at $20!