It's meant to be an audio-only course, but all the language is written down in a booklet if you want. (I transfered both CD's to my mp3 player and just used the audio - so it's perfect for the car, or walking to work -- no-one need ever know you're trying to learn German).I bought this in preparation for a few days in Germany recently and found it very useful. I listened to it on the way to the airport, on the plane, then on the train to Dusseldorf. When I arrived I felt confident enough to go and get a beer and a meal, ask the way to my hotel and so on. Not bad for only having lstened to it that day.

If you're serious about learning and mastering the language then perhaps this is not for you. But if you want to re-aquaint yourself with a language that you once had a smattering of it's great for getting back into the sound of the language and giving you the basic vocab (you also cover the numbers and most of the prepositions and pronouns you'll need for tourist use). Coupled with a phrase book it could get you easily through a holiday in Germany.

The presentation of the conversations is quite well-paced too, so there's adequate time to practise structures without getting bogged down and bored. good value for money and it does exactly what it says: gives you a 'quick start'.