Listening to Germany
A Review of Schau ins Land (2)
MORE ABOUT SIL > Part 1 > Part 2
OK, by now we know that a Schau ins Land subscription is a good idea. But what does it cost?
Well, a subscription runs between US$89 (five months/cassette) and US$96.50 (5 months/CD). A two-year subscription (US$259, cassette) reduces the per-issue cost somewhat. Schau ins Land appears 11 times a year (every month but July). But if you consider what you're getting—and compare it to the cost of other software or language courses, the cost is quite reasonable. Each issue of the Schau ins Land audio magazine includes a CD or cassette with a complete illustrated transcript and glossary. For US$44 extra, you can add a year's worth of optional study supplements (US$20 for five months). (Note: Prices subject to change.)
What do you get in a typical issue? In addition to what we mentioned in Part 1, here are some of the general topics: visits to historical cities and towns, political and economic news, book and film reviews, news briefs, profiles of historic figures, commentary by leading journalists, features on regional customs and traditions, and more.
Teachers may wish to consider purchasing the program through their school. The SIL program is well suited to instructional use, particularly with the aid of the optional Study Supplement and its exercises. Extra sets of the transcripts can also be purchased to help with implementation in the classroom.
For students or independent learners wanting to improve their German, I would recommend a subscription to Schau ins Land over many alternatives, including the purchase of an advanced language course. The great variety of topics and the overall scope of the SIL program mean that you are more likely to remain motivated and more likely to expand your vocabulary than with most traditional language-learning software.
Online Audio from Schau ins Land
Samples from past editions of SIL
If you want to find out more before you spend anything for a subscription, go to the Schau ins Land Web site (links below) to view a sample feature and to listen to a sample audio segment. Champs-Elysées also offers several Discussion Forums for all four of its audio magazines on their Web site.
I would make one suggestion to the folks at Champs-Elysées. Both in the Schau ins Land booklet (transcript) and on the Web site, I would like to see more related WWW-links. This would make the learning experience even more interesting and offer expanded information for those learners who can use it. The Web site should also have a special section just for subscribers that would offer more photos and information related to some of the topics in each issue. But as it is, I can still recommend a subscription to Schau ins Land.
If possible, get the CD version. The CD allows you to easily skip to any chapter without the awkward rewinding of an audio cassette. The accompanying booklet lists the articles and songs with their CD chapter numbers in the "Inhaltsangabe" and next to the transcript for each feature or song, making it very simple to find any item.
To order by phone or mail, or to get more information, see the contact information and links below.
Champs-Elysées, Inc.
PO Box 158067
Nashville, TN 37215-8067
USA
Tel. (1) 615 383-8534
Fax (1) 615 297-3138
Toll-Free: 1-800 824-0829 (8:30am-5:30pm CST)
Email: mail@champs-elysees.com
Web: www.champs-elysees.com
Web: Schau ins Land
Champs-Elysées (UK) Ltd
133 Cumberland Road
Bristol BS1 6UG
UK
Tel. 44 (0)117 929 2317
Fax: 44 (0)117 929 2426
Freephone: 0800 833 257
Email: info@champs-elysees.com
Web: www.schau-ins-land.com
Related Links
Schau ins Land
The German audio magazine site from Champs-Elysées. You can order online with a credit card.
Discussion Forums
General Talk, Support, and Teachers Resources. For all four of Champs-Elysées' audio magazines.
From your Guide
Part One of This Article
Listening to Germany. A review of Schau ins Land.
Audio from Schau ins Land New!
Selected audio excerpts for intermediate to advanced learners from the German audiomagazine Schau ins Land—each complete with a study guide, glossary, full transcript, and test.
Wort des Tages
The German word of the day.
Zitat des Tages
The German quote of the day.
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