Our Language Learning Method

The Pimsleur® Method is the foundation upon which every Pimsleur course is built. It’s a scientifically proven set of principles designed to take a learner directly to the heart of the language, eliminating noise, confusion, and information overload. Our language learning methods focus on your natural speaking and listening skills to learn any new language like a child. When you first learned your native tongue, you didn’t read, study, or take grammar lessons. You practiced speaking the language after hearing people speak. These surprisingly simple language learning techniques – active collaborating, robust participation, and inherent curiosity – is what our learning system is all about, and is simply the best way to learn a new language. People all over the world are using Pimsleur programs to start speaking, understanding, and reading new languages quickly and easily. If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, you may find it hard to believe that something so simple could work so well. Pimsleur’s platform is one of the best language learning techniques, and our course material is immediately accessible for curious learners. The Pimsleur Method is made up of a few key principles:

People all over the world are using Pimsleur programs to start speaking, understanding, and reading new languages quickly and easily. If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, you may find it hard to believe that something so simple could work so well. Pimsleur’s platform is one of the best language learning techniques, and our course material is immediately accessible for curious learners. The Pimsleur Method is made up of a few key principles:

Graduated Interval Recall

Dr. Pimsleur’s research on memory was perhaps one of his most revolutionary achievements. He discovered that if learners were reminded of new words at gradually increasing intervals, each time they would remember longer than the time before. Dr. Pimsleur documented the optimal spacing for information to move from short-term into long-term, or permanent, memory. Graduated Interval Recall mirrors the easy, natural way a child learns a new language, and we’ve incorporated these intuitive language study methods into our courses and lessons. This theory is at the base of all the Pimsleur programs.

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Principle of Anticipation

Our brains are hard-wired to automatically process speech and “anticipate” a correct response. It’s an intricate thought process that most of us take for granted. Dr. Pimsleur’s research demonstrated that new connections are activated whenever this dynamic system is triggered. By systematically asking for understanding, pausing for a response, and then reinforcing the correct response, Pimsleur courses accelerate learning, increase understanding, and activate new neural pathways in the learner’s brain.

The Principle of Anticipation is one of the best language learning techniques. It’s all about “neural coding” knowledge – actually improving thinking and memory skills to assist in new language acquisition. With Pimsleur, you’ll actually boost your brain power with specifically proven language learning tools and resources.

Core Vocabulary

One common misconception when learning a new language is that you have to study and memorize a vast array of words and phrases. Some language study methods emphasize building the biggest vocabulary possible from the start. Not Pimsleur – we know that a working vocabulary will eventually flourish, once a core group of words are learned and spoken.

Effective communication in any language depends on mastery of a relatively limited number of words and structures. Trying to learn too much at once substantially slows the process, and many people quickly become discouraged. Pimsleur courses deliberately limit the amount you learn at any one time, giving your brain a chance to internalize each new item before moving on. Once this foundation is built, adding new words and phrases becomes easy and natural because there’s a clear framework to attach them to.

Organic Learning

Every new item introduced in a Pimsleur course is given within the context of a conversation or exchange. After all, you can spend endless hours buried in textbooks, but if you’re unable to communicate effectively, you never truly learn a new language. Interaction helps learning and retention in a multitude of ways, from allowing your brain to automatically integrate intonation, rhythm, melody, and pronunciation, to embedding prompts for your memory. When you need a word, it’s there – seamlessly on the tip of your tongue.

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Unleash Your Potential with Pimsleur’s Language Learning Methods

Put the Pimsleur Method to work for you (don’t worry – you’ll have plenty of fun)! We’ve embedded the Pimsleur Method into all of our lessons, so we’re one of the top language learning programs available today. Dr. Pimsleur cracked the code for effective language learning techniques decades ago. We’ve harnessed this innovative spirit and passion for teaching into all of our learning programs. Sign up today with a Premium or All Access subscription today and discover the pinnacle of language learning methods for yourself!

THE PIMSLEUR METHOD

Graduated Interval Recall

Principle of Anticipation

Core Vocabulary

Organic Learning

Unleash Your Potential with Pimsleur’s Language Learning Methods

Everyone Can Learn a Foreign Language

Why Learning a Language Isn't Hard

Are There "Easy" and "Hard" Languages?

About Dr. Pimsleur