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Pimsleur is one of the oldest and most popular platforms with audio courses that can help you learn the language of your choice. Pimsleur is more than just a learning tool - it's a method. It boasts unique language courses and methods of learning, anchored on a strong academic foundation, and an unrivaled result-based reputation.
Currently, Pimsleur offers courses for 51 different languages, and it employs a call-response approach, where you get a phrase in your target language with its translation in audio format. Its primary focus is on speaking, listening, and pronunciation.
To start using Pimsleur, you must first create an account and subscribe. If you’re in Britain, the US, Australia, or Canada, there’s a subscription link to take you directly to Pimsleur’s website.
However, if you’re in another country, then you have to download their app either on Apple or Google Play via in-app purchases. After installing the app, log in using your Pimsleur.com account details, and wait for the course you selected to load and sync automatically.
Once it loads, click the PLAY button and start streaming. If your subscription entails more than one course, use the (☰) at the top right corner to access your other courses.
Pimsleur has a wide range of features to help you learn a new language effectively and with ease. At the top of the list, you'll find the reading lessons to introduce you to reading in your new language.
The quick match interactive phrase game allows you to challenge yourself with as many as 300 questions. In contrast, the numerous digital flashcards enable you to practice, perfect and review the course.
There are about 30 light bulb moments, which delve deeper into the culture and history of the language that you’re learning. With 30 remarkable high-resolution photographs, you can draw inspiration and enhance the cultural knowledge of the language that you’re learning.
Aditionally, there are 30 speak-easy conversations to aid you in refining your conversational skills as well as perfect your accent.
Pimsleur also offers lesson categories depending on the language that you want to study. Nevertheless, you’ll have access to all the lessons that are available for your specific language. The most popular languages have around 150 lessons. These "most popular languages" include Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, German, and French. All of these languages have 5 levels and each level has 30 lessons lasting about 30 minutes each. Pimsleur offers one lesson per day.
New AI-powered speech recognition feature - Voice Coach. Perfect your pronunciation and earn a Pimsleur certification. Available in 20 popular languages, with more to come!
Voice Coach is currently available for Chinese (Mandarin), Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English for Spanish Speakers, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Romanian, Russian, Spanish (Latin American), Swedish, Turkish, Spanish (Spain-Castilian)
The pricing plans for Pimsleur courses depend on the number of levels that you take, the language, and the format that you choose for the learning mode. For instance, you may find it cheaper to subscribe to the digital download (MP3) version as opposed to the CD sets.
The Pimsleur portal has very clear information regarding the available options and their corresponding prices based on the language that you choose. Depending on your location you can benefit from a free trial or a free first lesson, this way, you have an idea of what is in store for you before committing yourself to any payment.
Pimsleur comes with its fair share of pros and cons, as outlined below.
Besides its stellar and memorable content, Pimsleur offers the best platform to learn a foreign language. If your learning style favors audio lessons, then Pimsleur will perfectly fit into your lifestyle as you can learn a new language while you commute.
*In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for Top5Languages.com (at no extra cost for you).
