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Random House Webster's Pocket Portuguese Dictionary, with Pen for Scale

Portuguese, Books, Dictionaries

The type in Random House Webster’s Pocket Portuguese Dictionary is too small for me, but if your eyesight is better than mine, you may appreciate the compact size and portability. I do think this series is…

I Like the Design of This Series

Hebrew, Books

This grammar by Lewis Glinert “aims to serve as a reference source for the learner and user of Hebrew irrespective of level.” I did not, however, find that it was appropriate for my truly beginning level, even as my beginning…

A Lightweight, Portable Dictionary

Hindi, Books, Dictionaries

As has often been the case when I am studying languages with radically different alphabets, I tended not to use the Teach Yourself Hindi Dictionary much. It’s nothing against the dictionary itself; it’s just that…

Pretty Design, Okay Content

3-5 Dutch, Books

If I hadn’t had German helping me out (there are many similarities with Dutch), I think Basic Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook would have been too hard for me as a complete beginner. Because I did have…

This Is a Fascinating Language Story

Hebrew, Books

I admit it: I got distracted by other life demands and didn’t get past page 50 of this book, but I really liked what I read, and it seems like a great resource for someone interested in the Hebrew language. …

Besides the Essential Dutch Dictionary, They Also Make an Essential Dutch Grammar

2 Dutch, Books, Dictionaries

Despite the nicely compact size of Essential Dutch Dictionary: A Teach Yourself Guide, it still has completely readable font. That’s a plus. But there is no pronunciation guide, which strikes me as odd. Dutch is not easy…

Barron’s Italian Verb Workbook: Some Good Content, But Not My Favorite Exercise Design

3 Italian, Books

Barron’s Italian Verb Workbook by Marcel Danesi is intended to work for true beginners, but I think showing up with a little background would be helpful, since you start right in on present-tense conjugations on the…

German Verb Drills, with Coffee

4 German, Books

German Verb Drills by Astrid Henschel claims to be “perfect for beginning and intermediate learners.” I would say you should be at least an advanced beginner, though. We are talking German verbs, after all! Even a relatively advanced…

Teach Yourself Hindi: This Is an Earnest Book

4 Hindi, Books

I found Teach Yourself Hindi* by Mohini Rao at Bhutala Emporium in Little India in Queens. The subtitle was enticing: “A Unique and Authentic Language Learning Kit from the Country’s Leading Publishing House” (the country being India,…

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