4th Place: Pimsleur French Audio Lessons
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If you are looking to learn French fast and only want to learn conversationalist French then Pimsleur French is for you. Pimsleur French is completely audio based, so if you want to learn French using audio CDs then this French course is for you. THE BOTTOM LINE
Pimsleur French’s singular goal is to get you speaking French fast. While this does work to some degree I have to say it feels like much of what I learned would have evaporated if I didn’t have the other courses to reinforce my knowledge. Pimsleur focuses on teaching you the most common vocabulary and grammar used in the French language. Their theme is communication and from the get go you are presented with tactics and strategies to handle common social scenarios. For example, one of the first French lessons teaches you to ask “Do you speak English?” in French. Communication is easier if you can establish that you both speak a common language
While I applaud them on their mission (heck, everyone wants a French Course that will have you speaking perfect French tomorrow!) their teaching methods are rather one-dimensional.
The Pimsleur method is completely audio based and is interactive only to the point of repeating what the narrator says. While this type of learning style may fit some people it leaves many hanging out to dry. Those who are visual learners or good with analogies will not get along well with Pimsleur and would be better suited for the multi-faceted teaching systems practiced by Rosetta Stone, Rocket French or Power Glide.
I would only recommend Pimsleur if you are looking to get a quick fix (like if you are going on vacation to a French speaking nation next month) and are not looking to learn and practice French over the long term.
Pimsleur offers several products but their flagship program is their “French Comprehensive Series”, all available for purchase online. This series is made up of three parts, each sold individually.
Their French Comprehensive 1 Course, priced at $209.00 dollars, is divided into 30 half hour long French lessons with approximately 16 hours worth of strictly audio material. When you compare this to the hundreds of hours packed into Rosetta Stone, Rocket French and Power Glide’s French programs Pimsleur just doesn’t seem to stack up.
Their French Comprehensive 1, 2 and 3 package retails for $597. When I contrasted this with Rocket French, which retails for $99 and offers more audio material, engaging games and word association techniques, I began to wonder how Pimsleur stays in business.
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Course Type: Audio CD Program
Purchase Price: $209.00
Course Type: Audio CD Program
Purchase Price: $209.00
If you are looking to learn French fast and only want to learn conversationalist French then Pimsleur French is for you. Pimsleur French is completely audio based, so if you want to learn French using audio CDs then this French course is for you. THE BOTTOM LINE
Pimsleur French’s singular goal is to get you speaking French fast. While this does work to some degree I have to say it feels like much of what I learned would have evaporated if I didn’t have the other courses to reinforce my knowledge. Pimsleur focuses on teaching you the most common vocabulary and grammar used in the French language. Their theme is communication and from the get go you are presented with tactics and strategies to handle common social scenarios. For example, one of the first French lessons teaches you to ask “Do you speak English?” in French. Communication is easier if you can establish that you both speak a common language
While I applaud them on their mission (heck, everyone wants a French Course that will have you speaking perfect French tomorrow!) their teaching methods are rather one-dimensional.
The Pimsleur method is completely audio based and is interactive only to the point of repeating what the narrator says. While this type of learning style may fit some people it leaves many hanging out to dry. Those who are visual learners or good with analogies will not get along well with Pimsleur and would be better suited for the multi-faceted teaching systems practiced by Rosetta Stone, Rocket French or Power Glide.
I would only recommend Pimsleur if you are looking to get a quick fix (like if you are going on vacation to a French speaking nation next month) and are not looking to learn and practice French over the long term.
Pimsleur offers several products but their flagship program is their “French Comprehensive Series”, all available for purchase online. This series is made up of three parts, each sold individually.
Their French Comprehensive 1 Course, priced at $209.00 dollars, is divided into 30 half hour long French lessons with approximately 16 hours worth of strictly audio material. When you compare this to the hundreds of hours packed into Rosetta Stone, Rocket French and Power Glide’s French programs Pimsleur just doesn’t seem to stack up.
Their French Comprehensive 1, 2 and 3 package retails for $597. When I contrasted this with Rocket French, which retails for $99 and offers more audio material, engaging games and word association techniques, I began to wonder how Pimsleur stays in business.
1.French Guy said …
I don’t agree with this review. I ordered Pimsleur French about a year ago and thought it was excellent. Their product my be primarily audio based but this type of learning works for many people. It worked for me! I didn’t have time to sit in front of a computer and learn french. I took the Pimsleur CDs and listened and learned in my car driving to and from work. A great way to pass the time if you hate commuting! In addition Pimsleur takes a common sense approach to learning French. I learned words I will use in everyday french conversation; not words like “box” and “cat” that I will hardly ever use. Sorry to say it Kristina but just because you don’t learn well through audio doesn’t mean that others don’t either.
2.Kristina said …
Hi French Guy,
I can see where you’re coming from and this is why I mentioned that the audio style does work for some people. But the simple truth is it doesn’t work for all people and that is why Pimsleur loses points in comparison to the other products in this review.
Pimsleur is good at what they focus on: audio based french lessons. But this single approach does not cut it when contrasted against more comprehensive products like Rosetta Stone French and Rocket French.
3.Cander said …
Great One
I must say, its worth it! My link, http://house-of.com/kris/,thanks haha