Audio lessons are a great source of knowledge. With the Pimsleur approach, you’ll not learn your target language just by repeating words; you’ll also obtain an effective system that encourages participation. Let’s dive into what Paul Pimsleur has done correctly with this Pimsleur review.
Do you imagine speaking the local language of the country you’re interested in? If you love conversations and want to get the hang of their pronunciations as fast as possible, you’ll need to speak to locals. But, you don’t need to travel to Spain to speak Spanish. There are many ways to learn Spanish on your own. You may also find native speakers in many online language lessons today. How about using an app to strengthen your memory recall?
A closer look at the Pimsleur method will cement the idea of how Pimsleur is effective for progressing your language learning skills.
What Is Pimsleur?
Dozens of language learners love to hear how native speakers enunciate their tones and accents and memorize vocabulary through context clues. That desire evolved in various language programs, including an audio lesson per language level that gets students to participate.
Paul Pimsleur developed the Pimsleur approach, where you will hear a word or phrase for the first time before being asked to recall it a short while later. Hence, the Pimsleur course contains 30 minutes of pure audio lessons with reading lessons for a refresher.
Pimsleur’s language learning style is based on the famous learning technique called SRS or Spaced Repetition System. It is an effective learning method to avoid cramming all knowledge and incorporate memory techniques into a fun learning experience.
What is it for? The Pimsleur method is a great way to train language students with their memory recalling using mental imagery and spaced intervals.
Languages offered: 51 languages with 14 English lessons for multiple languages.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate learners.
Who Is It For? (Target Audience): Pimsleur is perfect for those who want to focus on audio lessons while on the go. It offers 30 minutes of non-stop repetition and learning through listening.
Pros:
- Uses Spaced Repetition System for language learning
- Audio lessons are adequate for listening and speaking skills
- It makes your mind focused on a set of vocabulary
- Learn multiple languages at the same time
Cons:
- Quizzes are asked in English
- Does not have a writing practice
- Reading lessons are few
- Pimsleur subscription price is expensive
- Few conversation topics are not relevant
How Does Pimsleur Work?
Pimsleur trains you to know the correct answers for every question after a brief prompt. It is a language learning method that empowers your brain. You will not only know how locals speak but also give you visual-spatial lessons to immerse yourself in the situation.
Ready to start learning? You’ll have to decide which languages pique your interest. Since Pimsleur has 51 languages, you’ll have tons of options to choose from. On the other hand, if you’re not a native English speaker, you’ll have courses for ESL (English as a Second Language).
Languages Available On Pimsleur
Albanian, Arabic (Eastern), Arabic (Egyptian), Arabic (Modern Standard), Armenian (Eastern), Armenian (Western), Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari Persian, Dutch, Farsi Persian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian,
Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Pashto, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Latin American Spanish, Spain-Castilian Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Swiss German, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
English Lessons Available For Foreign Language Speakers
- English for Arabic Speakers
- English for Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) Speakers
- English for Farsi Persian Speakers
- English for French Speakers
- English for German Speakers
- English for Haitian Speakers
- English for Hindi Speakers
- English for Italian Speakers
- English for Korean Speakers
- English for Portuguese Speakers
- English for Russian Speakers
- English for Spanish Speakers
- English for Vietnamese Speakers
Pimsleur: Design and Interface
For this Pimsleur review, I want to highlight how Pimsleur highlights a straightforward audio course that pulls language learners directly to what their main feature is.
Users will see Both Pimsleur Desktop and Pimsleur App versions share the same features but only have a minimal difference in the UI interface. On one page, you’ll find all the Pimsleur audio lessons for the desktop version. After selecting the lesson, it appears in the same tab with the audio lessons and the skills you need to practice.
On the other hand, the Pimsleur app allows you to download your reading lessons and listen to the Pimsleur language courses offline. Many users prefer the app version since you can learn while cooking, cleaning the house, or driving. But of course, you’ll have to be careful in driving since the app will require your full attention for some parts of the audio course.
Who Should Start Using Pimsleur?
Have you encountered audio lessons that encourage you to participate in the discussion? Pimsleur is this app that works for language learners who are starting their journey exploring other countries. If you’re looking for suitable audio lessons that teach languages from their core, Pimsleur is an excellent app for beginners.
Do you have problems memorizing vocabulary? You can exercise your brain with a simple technique for memorization. Pimsleur trains your brain to anticipate the question and answer correctly through spaced intervals.
Pimsleur has various benefits when you want to learn a language, their culture, and the experience of talking to a native speaker.
Pimsleur Features: What We Like About It
The Pimsleur app doesn’t feature only audio files to help you memorize words and phrases. You’ll find unique content in Pimsleur that will make you hooked on learning more about this app. We’ve narrowed down the best features this language learning app offers in this Pimsleur review.
A Narrator For Explaining The Topics
One of the notable features of Pimsleur is its famous narrator for every lesson. The narrator acts as a guide in reinforcing the spaced interval learning method for you to follow. The mode of language used by the narrator is English, so it is easier for you to remember the question. Furthermore, the narrator helps you remember by suggesting a thought through visualization of the current situation.
Audio Course That Helps You Memorize A Language By Speaking
We’re all familiar with gamification systems and quizzes that make learning fun and more enjoyable. But it’s also important not to neglect your speaking skills. Language studies show that students who want to become fluent in their target language must start speaking from day 1. Hence, the people behind Pimsleur courses (Simin and Schuster) ensured that completing this method works for everyone. The courses should fit those with no background in that new language.
A Section For Enhancing Your Speaking And Reading Skills
After listening to the 30-minute lesson, you’ll have snippets from the current lesson in the form of quick cards. The topics include “Meet + Greet”, “Survival Skills”, Speak + Understand”, “Polite Phrases”, and “General Phrases”. It includes the Romanized version of the language if applicable.
Most of the content in this section is great as a flashcard for you to come back to when you forgot a phrase when the audio lesson asks you questions and you answer in that foreign language.
You can download the lessons for offline learning
Unlike most language learning apps like Lingualift, Pimsleur offers a download option for their lessons. You can listen to your lessons even without the internet. That feature is beneficial if you’re very busy or need a quick recap of the phrases at work, traveling, or school.
Driving Mode: Learning Languages On The Go
Perhaps one of the app’s best features of Pimsleur lessons is its driving mode. You can use it while you’re going to work or school. You can even rewind 10 seconds or forward 10 seconds later.
Remember that this app also requires total concentration, so don’t use the features of reviewing your vocabulary or reading the skill cards to improve your phrases to avoid mishaps.
Pimsleur Language App: Should You Buy The Premium?
Pimsleur Free
The free Pimsleur app is limited to only one lesson per language. But, you’ll be able to get almost all the necessary features, such as listening to the audio lessons, reviewing what the topic is about, and enhancing your language skills through other vocabulary words and phrases.
Pimsleur Premium
Buying the premium Pimsleur language programs unlocks the vocabulary list so you can save every lesson. You’ll also get If you want to unlock the following lessons, you’ll have to pay 150$ USD per language. For example, if you’re taking Pimsleur French and at the same time Pimsleur Mandarin, you’ll have to pay them separately.
There’s also an extra feature called bonus packs that unlocks more flashcards that you get after completing five lessons. If you have the budget to invest, it’s worth a try as it has 51 languages to choose from.
Pimsleur Review: Audio Courses With Native Speakers
As I started learning Brazilian Portuguese lately, I’ve also opted to check out what makes Pimsleur different from what I’ve learned in the Duolingo review. I was amazed at how the narrator helped me conceptualize talking to a Brazilian woman as if meeting her for the first time. I’ve also switched to the Japanese lessons to see if I can practice speaking aloud while reading the Romaji (Romanization of Japanese) sentences.
Find out if Pimsleur is your next audio lesson app to enhance your speaking and reading skills.
What Makes Pimsleur Stand Out From Other Language Learning Apps?
Is Pimsleur the best system today for language learning? Audio lessons are everywhere, and many are accessible for free in Youtube videos or podcasts. But, what makes Pimsleur stand out from the other language learning resources available today?
Are audio lessons enough to motivate you to listen for 30 minutes? We’ll break down the useful features of Pimsleur in this detailed Pimsleur review.
Uses Spaced Repetition System for language learning
What is the Spaced Repetition System? It is a memorization system where you are told about a word aloud, and the same word is repeated in intervals. Depending on your learning material, the word is repeated back to you in 1 minute, then after, 10 minutes, or so on. The Pimsleur language program is a well-researched language learning app that makes the users feel confident in trusting this app for their knowledge journey.
Audio Lessons That Practice Your Visual Imagery
Unlike language apps focusing only on memorizing vocabulary, you’ll learn a foreign language through conversations. The app takes you to that country and learns interesting cultural notes. Different ways of learning languages also grow through various teaching styles. If you like imagining yourself in that current situation to enhance your communication skills or just need visual cues, Pimsleur supports both your aural and verbal skills.
Focused On A Set Of Vocabulary Per Lesson
Learning a new language will overwhelm you if you keep consuming foreign vocabulary words that you can’t keep up with. The best feature that Pimsleu can offer is concentrating on a particular topic with a definite set of words. If you’re cramming too much vocabulary, it will get lost at a certain point in your language journey.
Learn Multiple Languages At The Same Time
Being passionate about learning a foreign language needs focus and steady practice. But if you’re a curious explorer and a language enthusiast, you can quickly change your current language.
Includes a Review Section To Test What You Have Learned
After you’ve learned the first part of your foreign language, you’ll have a chance to test yourself with the review section of Pimsleur. It includes the reading material of that topic you learned. You’ll also get a few interactive features like some Flashcards and the section “Quick Match,” for the current lesson to master vocabulary.
You can also practice speaking with their Speak Easy feature and matching phrases and vocabulary words with the Speed Round.
Gaps That Pimsleur Needs To Improve
Quizzes are asked in English
If you’re an English speaker and think that an English narrator benefits your learning, you are learning a language wrong. Sure, a few English instructions and options will help you navigate the course. However, it doesn’t help you to become familiar with the foreign language you are learning. The best immersion is having more questions and answers in the new language you are studying.
Does not have a writing practice
Another feature that might have helped Pimsleur is a writing practice for some languages. Practicing how to write while listening to the voice clip will help you recall what that vocabulary or phrase was used for.
Reading lessons are few
After a long day of listening to audio lessons, you may want to sit back and review some of the previous lessons. However, you’ll only get one PDF reading material per lesson and a few interactive features. You’ll have to find alternative apps if you’re looking for reading materials to complete your language learning.
Pimsleur subscription price is expensive
Pimsleur Unlimited is not cheap, as it asks for payment for every language you’re eager to learn. Many language learning apps offer free trials at least 7-14 days before payment. Language learners that might want to continue listening to audio files can listen to podcasts on streaming apps like Spotify or watch Youtube videos instead.
Context Isn’t Relevant For Everyone
From user reviews and personal experience, audio lessons with the same format can get boring, especially if some conversations are pretty dated. Many topics are catered toward business people or have a superficial situation that might not even be considered real conversations.
Hence, you’ll have to motivate yourself to continue looking for alternatives to teach you about the country’s culture. You may want to also find another app with chatbots that ask a series of questions.
Is Pimsleur The Best Audio Course Lesson For You?
To learn a language, you’ll need to find language courses that encourage you to remember vocabulary by prompting you to speak. Pimsleur is one of the longest-running language learning resources for audio lessons today. As an audio and visual learner, I’ve appreciated how much it challenged me to recall vocabulary from previous lessons.
Students that will learn from Pimsleur the most are visual-spatial learners. If you love narrative stories while learning a foreign language, you’ll enjoy Pimsleur.
We encourage you to use the Pimsleur method for 30 minutes daily diligently. With just a few lessons, you’ll learn how to speak with the locals and develop your way of memorizing new words.
Need An App For Reading And Writing Your Target Language? Practice With Ling!
Without a doubt, language acquisition works by using the proper learning method daily and with consistency. With the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) found in an audio lesson like Pimsleur, you’ll directly develop the right way of thinking in that language.
However, there are Pimsleur alternatives for advanced learners that need to practice the writing system of multiple languages. With the Ling App, you’ll not just learn vocabulary words and phrases by speaking aloud. You’ll also learn to write and read to enhance your other language skills. Try Ling along with your audio lessons to memorize vocabulary fast. Download Ling From the Play Store or the App Store and enjoy your learning now!
