I want to share a great English learning resource with all of MyEC.
A few weeks ago I found out about a wonderful book. Some of you may already have one of these or have the earlier edition. I really regret that I did not discover this great little book long ago.I had seen this book advertized, but I had assumed that it was similar to another I had looked at (for little children). This book is best when bought in the Bilingual version of your 1st language combined with English. The second edition looks like the illustration, except it should say English/Arabic or English/ (the language that you speak). The book has excellent pictures which show objects and actions which are described in English. There is also a translation for a second language. It is so easy to understand that everyone who sees it wants to know how to get one.
I reviewed this briefly in our Book Lovers Group and am putting it in my blog also. I think you may not be able to part with this book if you look at one with your own language combined with the English. There are 13 language versions of the book published in the second edition (Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Farsi, French, Haitian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese).
Anyway, do please look at the book and see what you think. I would value your feedback on this. If you see one and don't agree, please tell me. The Arabic speakers really loved their edition and our local bookstore was quickly emptied. I have also used this book in Japan.
It may be best to save up a little money before you visit your bookstore. This doesn't cost much more than a few meals of "junk food". If you speak Cambodian or Polish, you will have to get the original edition of the book for now. Don't feel badly because the first edition is very good too.
There are also different level workbooks, teacher resources, and an Interactive CD ROM version. There is a kids version which is good for the little ones.
The 4 CD's pronounce every word in the book. This is very helpful because you can learn the exact pronunciation by listening to professionals speaking.
Comments
This book is still as good as it was. I now use the Japanese/English version. If you can find one at your library please borrow it or you can buy your own copy to keep at home. Oxford University Press always has good books for learning English.
I have the monolingual, the Korean/English, Spanish/English, and Chinese/English. It is a great resource for teachers and learners. Their other picture dictionary is also good but I prefer this version if I can't have both.
Thank you all for your comments. I only wish there was one in Arabic which showed the Arabic words transliterated in English. I still don't grasp all the Arabic characters and my copy is intended to show Arabic speakers how to say the English word, but not the other way around.
Martin, your English is very strong anyway, but the maybe German or Polish versions would help you double-check words you are unsure of. The new version has 4,000 words and phrases, while the first edition (the only one in Polish and Cambodian) has 3,700. I think there are a lot of Slavic language speakers and maybe there will be a version for you soon.
Hello Teacher Bob,
Thanks for the information. That sounds interesting! So kind of you really. I must have one too.
Good luck!
-Lynne-