Although French language apps like Babbel and Duolingo may receive more notoriety within the language learning industry, many individuals turn to Pimsleur instead given their unique learning method. In this review, we cover everything you need to know about the Pimsleur French course so you can decide whether it is the right fit for your specific needs.
Pimsleur
- Multiple Subscription Options
- Money Back Guarantee
Pros
- Perfect fit for individuals who learn best through audio
- Heavy exposure to fluent French speakers improves listening comprehension
- Variety of practice drills following audio lessons help with material retention
- Voice Coach tool provides feedback on your pronunciation
- Sleek, intuitive digital platform and mobile app
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other apps like Babbel and Rosetta Stone
- Not an ideal program for visual learners
- Limited grammar instruction
How The Pimsleur French Course Works
First, let’s quickly cover how the Pimsleur French course is organized. From a bird’s eye view, there are five main, overarching levels (1-5) with each level becoming more complex and challenging as you progress.
Then within each level, there are 30 lessons, which break down further into several individual sections. The first of which is a 30 minute audio exercise in which an English speaking host walks you through a conversation between two fluent French speakers, and as the conversation progresses, the host regularly pauses to explain what the French speakers are talking about, give contextual background, and discuss any grammar rules that are relevant to the conversation. More importantly, the host also engages you by asking questions and encouraging participation to ensure you’re following along and understanding the concepts at hand.
Then following the audio exercise, you are then tasked with completing a variety of quick-hit practice drills that cover various aspects of reading, writing, and speaking. All told, you’re looking at around 45 to 60 minutes per lesson.
That’s the Pimsleur course and lesson format in a nutshell. The key takeaway is that the audio exercises really form the foundation of the Pimsleur curriculum with the idea being that heavy exposure to fluent French speakers within the context of a real conversation will accelerate the learning process and boost material retention.
Pimsleur French Cost
Next up, let’s talk cost and how Pimsleur compares to other French language apps. The company offers a couple different plans to choose from. The first is a monthly subscription that costs around $20, and the second is a lifetime plan that costs north of $400.
Now in comparison to other apps, Pimsleur lands near the middle of the industry. Their monthly subscription is slightly more expensive than the likes of Babbel and Rosetta Stone, for example, but cheaper than say Rocket French or Michel Thomas.
However, keep in mind that Pimsleur does offer sales and special promotions fairly regularly so you hopefully will not have to pay full price.
Pros Explained
Now that we’ve covered the Pimsleur course structure, lesson format and pricing, let’s move into the advantages and disadvantages that you need to be aware of prior to purchasing this course.
Perfect For Auditory Learners
The first advantage of using Pimsleur to learn French is its suitability for auditory learners. To put it simply, if you absorb information best through listening rather than reading or watching, for example, and you have a good memory for spoken content, then Pimsleur is likely a perfect match for you.
Again, this is because the company’s interactive audio exercises really form the bedrock of the entire course, and effectively make up roughly 75% of the instruction.
Learn French On-The-Go
Another advantage in favor of Pimsleur, and this ties into the previous point, is that the company’s audio-based lessons allow for learning on-the-go. This means you’re not confined to your desk, or constantly staring at your phone. Instead, you can simply put your phone in your pocket and listen to a lesson while your completing household chores, or waiting in line at the DMV, for instance.
Additionally, if you have a job that involves a long commute, or you spend a fair amount of time in the car, Pimsleur offers a hands-free driving mode. Therefore, if you have a hectic schedule, and are frequently on the move, Pimsleur provides a convenient way to make progress towards your language learning journey.
Pimsleur Voice Coach
The third advantage is a relatively recent addition to their program, but worth mentioning, and that’s Pimsleur’s Voice Coach. This feature records your speech, and gives feedback on your pronunciation. How it works is that after finishing the audio portion of each lesson, you’re prompted to complete various practice exercises, including speaking drills where you listen and repeat French phrases and sentences in order to refine your pronunciation.
After testing this tool, our team found Pimsleur’s speech technology comparable to that of Babbel and Rocket’s – its quick, accurate, and user-friendly.
Overall, the addition of the Voice Coach tool has greatly enhances Pimsleur’s French program. After all, improving your pronunciation not only develops your own listening comprehension, but it also boosts your confidence level so that you are more willing to engage in conversations and practice.
The Pimsleur Digital Platform
Finally, let’s talk about the fourth advantage: the Pimsleur digital platform and mobile app. While this might not seem like a major point, we believe it’s worth noting.
In comparison to other French apps we’ve tested, Pimsleur’s digital platform is significantly more modern and user-friendly. It’s evident that the company has dedicated considerable effort and resources to ensure an exceptional user experience.
Cons Explained
Now that we’ve covered the advantages of using Pimsleur to learn French, let’s turn the tables and discuss the disadvantages as well.
Limited Visual Appeal
The first disadvantage as you might expect is that Pimsleur is not the best choice for visual learners. There are no videos within lessons, and even the use of graphics and images throughout the course is minimal.
Again, just to reiterate, this course relies more on audio, so if you learn and retain information better through visual means, you might find an app like Babbel French or Rosetta Stone French more suitable.
Long Lesson Format
Unfornately, the Pimsleur lessons are pretty lengthy. Altogether, you’re investing around 45 minutes to an hour in completing a single lesson.
Therefore, you have to be realistic with yourself. If you only have 5 to 10 minutes per day to spare for learning French, perhaps you should consider a different app with a shorter lesson duration.
Limited Grammar Instruction
Finally, grammar is not a central focus within the Pimsleur curriculum. The explanations and detail the company provides are on the brief side, which some language experts might view negatively.
However, others argue the opposite viewpoint, suggesting that an excessive emphasis on grammar can impede learning, especially in the initial stages. Therefore, it ultimately depends on your perspective.
If you prefer a program that includes comprehensive grammar lessons to aid your understanding of verb conjugation, adjective agreement, and tenses and moods within the French language, then you might find the Rocket French course more suitable, as their curriculum dedicates ample time to detailed grammar instruction.
On the other hand, if you’d rather postpone intensive grammar study until you have a basic grasp of the language, then Pimsleur could be a good fit for you.
Verdict: Is Pimsleur Good For Learning French?
Time to answer the big question – is Pimsleur a good option for learning French?
Well, after using and reviewing the program, we think the answer is largely yes. Sure, there are a few downsides to the Pimsleur course. Most notably, it’s not going to be the best option for visual learners, and the lessons are somewhat lengthy to complete, but other than that, we think Pimsleur is one of the most well-rounded French courses on the market.
Myself and the rest of our team love the contextual, engaging audio exercises that feature fluent French speakers, the company’s speech recognition software is top-notch, and the diverse set of reinforcement drills following each audio lesson help with material retention. All in all, we highly recommend Pimsleur for learning French.
The Pimsleur French course costs $20 per month. Alternatively, if you do not want to sign up for a monthly subscription plan, the company also offers a lifetime plan.
It depends on your specific goals and timeline. If you plan to spend 10-20 hours per week studying French, expect to reach an intermediate level of fluency within four to six months using Pimsleur.
There are five levels within the Pimsleur French program. Within each level, there are 30 lessons to complete.
Yes, factoring in the cost of the company’s monthly subscription plan, our team believes Pimsleur French is worth the money. It is one of the most complete and effective French language courses our team has tested.
