I never liked taking language classes because they are just too shallow and I don’t like having to keep appointments. I like studying at my own pace. So I have a lot of interest in home courses. Today there are some good courses out there but a few years ago, it was just all crap. At least I thought so until someone (can’t remember who) told me about the Pimsleur course. I got the full french language course and instantly fell in love with the method.
Basically the method consists of forcing you to participate in increasingly complex imaginary conversations. It does this over and over, breaking things down and changing them around until everything starts to become a reflex reaction. You stop having to actively think about how to reply but you don’t just parrot a phrase like in some “courses”, you learn the whole structure of the sentences through practice.
After hearing a word, I was asked to repeat it after 15 seconds, then after 45 seconds, then again after a minute and the process continued. With time the intervals were measured in days and then weeks. Research has it that when you retrieve and use bits of information at specified intervals you are likely to remember it for a prolonged period of time. Pimsleur repeats essential information at the right time for your memory to retain it. With time as the intervals became longer and longer and I was able to remember without any help. The newly acquired language then became a permanent part of my long term memory and I was able to speak my new language fluently.
It employs organic learning (working on your core vocabulary) i.e. grammar and pronunciation at the same time. Native speakers in the audio cassettes help model your pronunciation making it perfect with time.
What I liked the most about the Pimsleur Method is that it doesn’t force you to stay glued to a notebook or a computer screen. You can walk around while you study, or lay in bed. I really liked just laying in bed because it helped me focus all of my attention on the material. Today with iPods this is even more of a plus relative to computer based methods.
Pimsleur is the real deal because it uses the question and answer technique. This system made me remember what I learned through a spoken rather than a written question/answer technique. I listened and heard two native speakers complete an exchange of thought while communicating in the same language that I was learning.
With the help of a tutor I was given clues that helped me understand the meanings. A similar question was then directed to me and I was asked to provide an answer. This method of giving cues, pausing for an answer then responding (cue-pause-response) makes one anticipate a response (anticipation) and thereby forcing the mind to retrieve the correct answer. Due to the clear and organized learning, you’ll automatically remember what you have learned and also respond positively to the foreign situation.
If you compare the Pimsleur to other courses, you will find that it is does not teach a wide vocabulary. However, you will benefit from it more in the end because you will be motivated to complete it and retain the basics in the long run. Sometimes, little information is better. If I ever want to pick up another language, I would definitely start with a Pimsleur course. Again, what I liked about the Pimsleur method is that it at least gets me started instead of procrastinating.
The Pimsleur Approach Scam is one of a number language courses that the author writes about. If you would like to read more then goto Why learn a language
Related Reading:
Language, Culture, and Teaching: Critical Perspectives (Language, Culture, and Teaching Series)Distinguished multiculturalist Sonia Nieto speaks directly to current and future teachers in this thoughtful integration of a selection of her key writings with creative pedagogical features. Offering information, insights, and motivation to teach students of diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds, this text is intended for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level students and professional development courses.
Examples are included throughout to illustrate real-life dilemmas about diversity that teachers face in their own classrooms; ideas about how language, culture, and teaching are linked; and ways to engage with these ideas through reflection and collaborative inquiry. Each chapter includes critical questions; classroom activities; and community activities suggesting projects beyond the classroom context.
Over half of the chapters are new to this edition, bringing it up-to-date in terms of recent educational policy issues and demographic changes in our society.
