5 Best English Language Audio Programs – Reviewed From Amazon.com
There are lots of English language audio programs available to purchase. It can be a challenge to know which are the best ones – so here is a list of 5 of the best to choose from.
All are available to purchase on Amazon.com.
1. Living Language English, Complete Edition
Living Language English, Complete Edition is, as the title suggests, a complete course for all skill levels.
It includes 9 audio CDs, free online learning, and 3 course books. It’s designed for learning to speak English, taking you from the very basics right through to advanced level.
The course consists of 46 lessons in total. It covers vocabulary, dialogues, audio exercises, etc., all set out in a logical and easy to follow manner.
Grammatical areas are well covered, starting off at a simple level and then progressing to more advanced.
It’s also represents excellent value for money at around $36 US – a lot cheaper than many other similar courses.
The online learning is also very valuable. It includes interactive quizzes, games, and flash cards at each level, and adds another interesting dimension to learning.
2. English Made Simple (ESL)
For a basic, beginner level introduction to the English language, you can’t go wrong with English Made Simple (ESL).
This 3 CD course covers all the basics, and is designed for those with little or no knowledge of English. There’s also a book to be used in conjunction with the CDs.
In particular, this course is recommended for seniors, with the aim of teaching the basics of conversational language in the shortest amount of time possible.
The book that complements the program uses a lot of pictures, making comprehension of the actual meaning of the words very simple.
The course is extremely well priced at around $13 US.
3. English for the Real World (ESL)
Another ESL product, English for the Real World is all about learning English as it really is spoken in day-to-day situations.
Composed of a workbook and 3 CDs, the course teaches English conversation and understanding. It also begins to delve into English grammar, but not at a level that is too complicated for the learner to understand.
The course is aimed at those already speaking English at an intermediate or advanced level.
In addition, the course includes a flashcard CD-ROM, that helps you learn and practice the most common idiomatic expressions. Learning in this manner is a proven way to get the lessons to stick in your mind.
The whole course comprises 20 separate lessons, and the nice thing about learning at your own pace is that you can repeat the lessons as many times as you like.
The speakers used on the CD are native English speakers, so you’re guaranteed that pronunciations are as authentic as they should be.
The listening exercises are set out in such a way that you listen to various sentences, and then you have to repeat them or rephrase them in a different manner.
The cost of the course is between $16 – $21 US.
4. English in Action 1 Workbook with Audio CD
At around $15 – $20 US, English in Action 1 Workbook with Audio CD is the second edition of the English in Action course, and is the brainchild of English language professor Barbara Foley from Union County College in New Jersey.
The course teaches its content through dynamic, communicative activities, and it’s all about teaching language to use in all walks of life and real world settings.
It makes use of various interactive technology options (if you’d like to use them). The workbook is used in conjunction with the CD, and there’s plenty of “listen and repeat,” as well as having to fill in the blanks for various words once meanings are given.
5. American Accent Training with 5 Audio CDs
American Accent Training with 5 Audio CDs is a slightly different type of English language course that teaches you how to pronounce words with, as the title gives away, an American accent.
This is a great tool for anyone looking to learn English, as it means that you learn how to pronounce words authentically.
Many people find a challenge to sound like a native speaker when learning English. There’s not anything comparable that teaches this with a UK accent, but the way Americans pronounce words is, with a few notable exceptions, very similar.
The course pays particular attention to voice quality, and the pronunciation of vowels, blends, and consonants. It also focuses on intonation and the way stressing various syllables are concentrated on in single words and sentences.
It also has an innovative way of teaching by linking phonetically transcribed sounds, allowing you to get a visual image of how the words should sound.
This is a particularly good course for those who have to speak English over the phone, as a strong accent means it can sometimes be a challenge for others to understand them.
The course has been revamped a few times, and this is the third, most updated edition. It costs between $17 and $23 US.
Buying from Amazon
One of the great things about purchasing from Amazon wherever you might be in the world is that you’re buying from a proven and reputable company.
It also means that if you purchase a product and are not happy with it, you know you can return it for a full refund.
Learning English is a vital skill for anyone for whom it’s not their native language.
Whether you need English to enhance your working skills or you simply want to be able to communicate on a social level, audio CDs provide a great way to learn at your own pace.
Practice is the key, and once you’ve got some skills, a good tip is to hook up with someone for a “language exchange.” That way, you get to practice speaking English with a native speaker in return for helping them learn your language as well.
Language exchanges can easily be sought out on Gum Tree – a website where individuals can advertise – and you can make arrangements to talk (either over the phone or by video link) at a time that suits both parties.