So, you've all seen them. In your school, as a requirement to pass college/ university...but then you trash them. Somehow, somewhere, for something.

I hunt down these little gems at yard sales and flea markets. It's made me wonder why they don't often come equipped with 'sentence structures' and that sort of thing, but I don't ask why. Most come from schools, with actual teachers to drive into your brain all the pronouns and subjective verbs and such.

I know this isn't an ordinary topic like Naruto Manga, but I'm quirky. Deal wit' it.
I own several (Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, German, French) and most recently English/Haitian Creole.

Aside from the fact I never plan to go to Haiti, actually think I could hold a conversation in creole, or have neighbors to practice with; I like this book. While I'm sure this topic will collect dust, I decided to break the subforum in.

To long didn't read?
-The basic Oxford dictionaries you own?
-Were they actually of any use in the classroom?
-Were there companion books for these gems?
-Any you own?
-Your opinion on them?

Like I said, I own several, just not all Oxford. Basic Oxford I've noticed, chose to use the same pictures and just recolor them. A red box is blue. A Mexican is suddenly African American. The Korean Airport employee at the Kiosk now works at the Haitian Airport as a greeter.

It has led to some serious questions with the artwork. I'm not sure who their target audience was, but seems African Americans or those with dark skin are a small minority even in Haiti if this book is properly representing them. In just one beach scene, there were fifteen Europeans and one African American. The Japanese one featured a similar scenario. In the Haitian model, the minimum-wage job employees are actually represented as dark skinned. In the Japanese one, there isn't one pale-skinned European among factory workers. I'm kind of concerned the publishers of Oxford are rather..racist. sweatdrop

I've never used the series in school. We had the Computer assisted models by the time I passed though. It's cheaper or more effective I guess?
As a dictionary, it is impressive. Colorful images, specific phrases, even some sentences so the reader gets the general idea of sentence structure. My Japanese and Vietnamese models feature that nifty little extra.

Is it a waste of time? I don't think so. Numerous studies show that learning a second language prevents your brain from turning into mush at 90, so I'm all for that. As much as I love the idea of making new friends everyday, I'd imagine my introvert personality would make all final decisions and judgements my dementia/ Alzheimer's ridden brain makes. Also, I'd be strapped down to something for doctors visits or break something valuable, like my hips.