Choosing the Right Audio Vocabulary Program for Your Specific Needs
Attention all Self-Motivated Individuals!
If you are looking to make your daily commute more productive, there is no better way of doing this then to listen to vocabulary building CD's. Listening to vocabulary CD's while driving is a great way to make the time go by and it's an ideal way to learn vocabulary.
To help you find the right Audio Vocabulary program, we evaluated the different Vocabulary CD programs that are available and have made two recommendations: Verbal Advantage and Executive Vocabulary
Verbal Advantage and Executive Vocabulary each have unique benefits that earned our endorsement. In this review, we assessed the pros and cons of each program so that you can decide if they are worthy of your investment
Verbal Advantage
Verbal Advantage is the original vocabulary tapes program. It's now a CD program and is still the largest selling vocabulary program in history.
The most current version of Verbal Advantage was written by Charles Harrington Elster. Mr. Elster is a preeminent authority on the English language. He is an author, journalist and self-proclaimed logophile-a lover of words. In addition to authoring several books on the English Language (including the text version of Verbal Advantage), he is also a radio commentator and for five and a half years he co-hosted a weekly public radio talk show on language called A Way with Words.
Mr. Ester's English language expertise shines through out the Verbal Advantage program. If you are looking for lessons on literary words that include their history and common usage, Verbal Advantage will be the perfect program for you. The program teaches 500 core word lessons. Each comprehensive lesson provides word history and usage guidance.
Verbal Advantage is an advanced English vocabulary program. For example some of the "easier" level 1 and 2 words include pliant, clement, paragon, diurnal. The words increase with difficulty from there and ends with words like crepitate, protean, sciolist, plexiform, longanimity.
Verbal Advantage Pros
Mr. Ester is the biggest pro for Verbal Advantage. He is a true authority on the English language, so you can be confident that you are learning the true and exact pronunciation and meaning for each word in Verbal Advantage.
The lessons are comprehensive and provide excellent usage tips on how to properly use each word in the program
Verbal Advantage is perfect for word enthusiasts who love the language used in classic literature. Verbal Advantage is definitely an advanced program and is perfect for anyone who wants to learn advanced English Vocabulary.
Verbal Advantage Cons
Although the program teaches many great words; at times it feels like there is too much emphasis on obscure literary words that the average person will never see in their lifetime and would never feel comfortable using
Verbal Advantage is not the most practical vocabulary program for people who want to learn new words that they can apply at work or in daily conversations.
Verbal Advantage is the most expensive vocabulary program. Prices range online from $300 to $400.
Executive Vocabulary
We selected Executive Vocabulary as one of our recommendations because it is the most practical vocabulary building program for adults. Although the name of the program is Executive it is not limited to business professionals.
Executive Vocabulary differentiates their program by focusing on Power Words. According to the program creators Power Words are…
Power Words are words that empower people to communicate their ideas clearly, succinctly and with poise.
Power Words are words that journalists, politicians, executives and other master communicators use to communicate at a higher level.
Power Words are words that are in most people's passive vocabulary; that is they know what the word means they just don't actively use the word.
Executive Vocabulary is designed to teach people how to use Power Words. If the Power Word is new to you the program will help you to understand the definition and how the word is most commonly used in today's communication. If you are already familiar with the word and it is in your passive vocabulary, the program shows you how to move the word from your passive vocabulary to your active vocabulary, so you begin using the word to enhance your communication.
Executive Vocabulary also has 500 word lessons; although they are not as comprehensive as Verbal Advantage, they do provide tips and multiple real life usage examples that help you to quickly learn how to use each word. The program focuses on practical words that you can use to gain an edge at work or confidently discuss political and world events. Some examples of the words you will see in Executive Vocabulary are succinct, augment, commiserate, glean and unseemly. All words you may be familiar with, but probably don't actively use.
Executive Vocabulary Pros
Executive Vocabulary is a very practical program. The program only teaches Power Word--words that successful people wield to communicate at a higher level. If you are looking for a program that will teach you words that will feel confident using every day, then Executive Vocabulary is the program for you
Executive Vocabulary provides tips that show you when, where and how to use Power Words.
Executive Vocabulary provides up to four real life usage examples that give you confidence knowing how to use new Power Words in proper context.
Executive Vocabulary Cons
The program only teaches Power Words. If you are looking to learn advanced literary vocabulary words, then the program may not be the right fit.
Vocabulary CD Program Summary
When selecting Vocabulary program on CD's, you really can't go wrong with either Verbal Advantage or Executive Vocabulary. Both programs come with money back guarantees (You have 30 days to review Verbal Advantage and 60 days to review Executive Vocabulary).
If you are a word enthusiast and want a program that will teach you advanced English vocabulary, then we definitely recommend Verbal Advantage.
If you are looking to improve your vocabulary in order to increase your confidence and to communicate better at work or with family and friends, then we definitely recommend Executive Vocabulary Power Words.
