Reviews

What makes this book so efficient for teaching Romanian is a combination of two thing: 1) The stories gradually build on the vocabulary that has already been used in previous stories. Each story introduces 29 new words, and uses the old words numerous times, to install them in the reader's mind. Believe me, this works! This method is by far the easiest way to learn to read a new language I have ever encountered; and 2) The stories are amusing, entertaining mishaps on the part of a group of characters you gradually come to know and recognize. In one story, two boys try to wash their employers truck by driving it along the beach and into the sea, whereupon it floats and begins drifting. I HIGHLY recommend this book, and the subsequent ones in the series of readers, the second of which I have nearly finished.The stories are quite entertaining. I give this book 5 stars because of a new development. The publisher website has downloadable audio tracks for the text -- both vocabulary and stories. To the publisher's great credit, the publisher has mp3s for both the first and the second edition. It is really nice to hear a native speaker read the texts as I was pronouncing some words incorrectly. These readers are EXCELLENT. Free audio is available, but sadly the audio is very robotic (BUT, it is FREE). The series (4 books so far: First reader volumes 1, 2, and 3 and Second Reader) is very conversational. Once you are past the absolute beginner stage, you are more than ready for volume 1. By the time you finish the Second Reader you should be able to easily read things like Harry Potter.