The Pimsleur method is an audio-based language acquisition method developed by Paul Pimsleur
that stresses active participation over rote memorization. During lessons, the listener
repeats words and phrases given by native speakers and constructs new phrases by inference.
As new phrases are introduced, the listener is prompted to recall older phrases. The prompts
for any given phrase are gradually spaced out in ever-increasing intervals. Between
1963 and 1971, Pimsleur created Greek, French, Spanish, German, and Twi courses while teaching
at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Pimsleur method focuses on proficiency
in speaking, as well as proficiency in reading. These two aspects are honed through thirty-minute
lessons, which are repeated until a score of at least 80% comprehension is achieved
before proceeding to the next lesson. During the lessons, students listen to native speakers
of the target language as they speak phrases in both the foreign language, as well as the
student’s main language. At graduated intervals, learners are prompted to repeat a phrase after
listening to the speaker. As the student progresses through the program, the interval increases,
as does the size of the vocabulary. The courses are made up of 30-minute daily sessions and
shorter reading lessons. They are published and sold by Pimsleur Language Programs.
Methodology Pimsleur developed his system using four principles
he regarded as important to forming memory associations and language recall.
Anticipation Language courses commonly require a student
to repeat after an instructor, which Pimsleur argued was not an aggressive way of learning.
Pimsleur developed a "challenge and response" technique, where a student was prompted to
translate a phrase into the target language. This technique is intended to be a more active
way of learning, requiring the student to think before responding. Pimsleur held that
the principle of anticipation reflected real-life conversations in which a speaker must recall
a phrase quickly.
Graduated-interval recall Graduated interval recall is a method of reviewing
learned vocabulary at increasingly longer intervals. It is a version of retention through
spaced repetition. For example, if a student is introduced to the word deux, then deux
is tested every few seconds, then every few minutes, then every few hours, and then every
few days. The goal of this spaced recall is to help the student move vocabulary into long-term
memory. Pimsleur's 1967 memory schedule was as follows:
5 seconds, 25 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, 1 day, 5 days, 25 days, 4
months, 2 years.
Core vocabulary The Pimsleur method focuses on teaching commonly
used words in order to build up a "core vocabulary". Word-frequency text analyses indicate that
a relatively small core vocabulary accounts for the majority of words spoken in a particular
language. For example, in English, a specific set of 2000 words composes about 80% of the
total printed words. Pimsleur courses average 500 words per level. Some languages have up
to 4 levels, while some languages only have one level.
The Pimsleur method never teaches grammar explicitly. Instead, grammar is presented
as common patterns and phrases that are repeated at intervals throughout the course. Pimsleur
claimed this is how native speakers learn grammar as children.
Organic learning The program is strictly auditory. Pimsleur
suggested auditory skill, learned through hearing and speech, is different from reading
and writing skill. He referred to his auditory system as "organic learning," which entails
studying grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation simultaneously. Pimsleur asserted that learning
by listening also enjoins the proper accent.
See also Language education
Language teaching methods Second language acquisition
Further reading Beuke, Carl J. "How To Learn a Language".
Psychology Today. – Brief article summarising some of the points from Pimsleur 1980.
Pimsleur, Paul. How to learn a foreign language. Boston: Heinle & Heinle. OCLC 7456201.
References
External links