Mastering Spanish 1. [antikvár]

SERIES EDITOR'S PREFACE The first language books in the Master Series, which are intended primarily for adult beginners working without a teacher, should fill a notable gap in an otherwise well-cultivated field. The publishers make no promises of instant mastery, and recognise that no one slim volume can contain more than the basic essentials of any living language. It is believed, however, that these initial books provide a carefully planned introduction to the language and a secure foundation for further study, for which it is hoped that the Master Series will ultimately give additional help. Existing publications seem either to concentrate on teaching 'how to survive abroad' or else to adopt a mainly academic approach. In these new books, the publishers aim to assist not only those studying for practical - generally touristic or commercial - purposes, but also those wishing to acquire a more formal knowledge of the language, with the intention of extending their skills of reading and writing by subsequent study. The dual aims of these books are made clear from the start, so that students may determine their own learning procedures and work in ways best suited to their needs and capacity. Clear indications make it easy to distinguish between essential basic language and the more difficult material provided for deeper study. The main emphasis is placed on understanding and speaking the language in the context of everyday life, but the importance of reading and writing has not been overlooked. The table of contents is specific and informative, and the student may see at a glance the ground to be covered. The author's introduction explains in some detail the nature and presentation of the teaching material and suggests a variety of ways of working with it; this section will repay careful study, so that the best use may be made of the well structured and lively dialogues, the vocabulary lists, the clear explanations of background information and grammar and the varied exercises. Mastery of the spoken language presents one of the greatest problems to the student working alone. Without considerable Unguistic experience it is impossible to develop an ear for the sounds and intonation of the language by reading the printed page. Each language book in this series contains a detailed and helpful guide to pronunciation, but there is also a most useful adjunct in the form of a cassette on which the basic teaching material is recorded by native