Beginner's Polish (Beginner's Guides) Paperback – May 1, 1995

This is not a book for absolute beginners. It begins with cultural details (arts, restaurants, car rentals, shopping), then it goes to dialogues. They are translated, but it seems to me that you'd need a more basic approach to really understand them. They may be translated, but what is the "why" of the translation? How can you start Polish with complex sentences? This seems to be more of a handbook than a basic text. For me, I'd like a more step-by-step approach.

I am Polish but I was born and raised here in the United States. I never went to Poland. I can speak Polish, badly, but I never learned to read and write in Polish. This book is great.

Nothing wrong with the book but if I would do it over it would mean a phrase book instead.

Worked fine just what I needed. Service was fast. Although it was a different version than as described. and had no cd.

Bought this boopk to try to relearn, and teach my Granddaughters, a bit of Polish. I was hoping for a basic text book but this book is geared for the traveler. I am sure that anyone planning a trip to Poland will find it useful but for teaching its use is limited.

Purchased this on a whim while browsing the site. Item arrived on time in the condition advertised. Slightly surprised at just how short the overall coverage was for an introductory course but cannot complain at the bargain price advertisedl.

The other review has some valid observations, but this set does come with audio tapes to assist with pronounciation, which is important in learning a consonant-dense language such as Polish. A book alone can't help you speak, there is just nothing to replace the human ear. If you can get the tapes, do it. If not, get the tapes for another course as the "Colloquial" or "Teach Yourself" series offer. Otherwise this is a solid if unspectacular book. You get a solid footing with most important vocabulary, and key points of grammer and construction. As with any language there are subtleties to colloquial use and slang that take time to master. The other reviewer takes issue with the translation of "tak" as an english "yes" - but context is important. Someone in english could say "yes" and it contextually mean "correct" - or if that person were excited could mean "alright!" - again all this is contextual, but the basic meaning is the same. This book is structured much like a traveller's phrase book, but with more depth. It's a good supplement to a live course or self-study. Honestly, to study a foreign language you should surround yourself with several texts and dictionaries and not rely on just one to get you to your destination, this is just my opinion however. I'd get this book, the Pimsleur tapes and the Teach Yourself series. When you're ready to move on, buy the Schenker book and also give the Colloquial series a look. If you can find audio-forum, do it, as there are 8 tapes and a thorough text. The only hindrance is the thick, uptight accent of the British speakers. The Polish is fine, however. In sum, get this book with audio and you'll have a fine starting point. Otherwise, start with Pimsleur and Teach Yourself and later just get this book as a grammar reference.