Pimsleur Italian Review: 5 Months Only?

Summary

In this video, Lewis reviews Pimsleur Italian, a language learning program that consists of five levels, each with 30 lessons. He answers key questions about the effectiveness of the program, including whether it's worth it, the level of fluency you can expect (B1 level), and the time commitment (approximately five months). The program is based on audio lessons with spaced repetition, allowing users to learn on-the-go. Lewis also highlights an affordable alternative to the full-price option, recommending a subscription plan for just $15-20/month. The review concludes with an invitation to share personal experiences with Pimsleur Italian.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pimsleur Italian is a five-level audio-based language course designed to teach Italian through daily 30-minute lessons.
• 😀 The program lasts for 150 days, or approximately five months, with one lesson per day for each of the five levels.
• 😀 Pimsleur is effective due to its scientific approach to language learning, based on the principles of spaced repetition and active participation.
• 😀 Spaced repetition ensures learners review vocabulary and grammar at increasing intervals to enhance long-term retention.
• 😀 The program encourages active recall, where learners are prompted to recall and participate in conversations, making learning more effective.
• 😀 Pimsleur Italian fits into everyday life, allowing learners to study while commuting, exercising, or doing housework, making it ideal for those with busy schedules.
• 😀 By completing the five levels, learners will acquire around 2,000 words, which represent about 90% of the vocabulary used in typical spoken Italian conversations.
• 😀 After completing the course, learners will have a B1-level proficiency in Italian, allowing them to confidently engage in everyday conversations with native speakers.
• 😀 The Pimsleur course is priced at $575 for the full five levels, but an alternative subscription plan costs about $15-$20 per month, totaling $100 for the entire program.
• 😀 Pimsleur's approach is more practical and effective than traditional university language courses, especially for conversational skills.
• 😀 The program includes a free trial and discounted subscription plan, which can be accessed through a hidden link on the Pimsleur website.

Q & A

What is Pimsleur Italian and how is it structured?

Pimsleur Italian is a five-level language learning course, with each level consisting of 30 lessons, totaling 150 lessons. The course is primarily audio-based, allowing learners to listen to and participate in conversations while on the go, such as during commutes or exercises.

How long does it take to complete the Pimsleur Italian course?

The Pimsleur Italian course takes about five months to complete, as it includes 150 lessons (one per day), each lasting 30 minutes.

What are the benefits of the Pimsleur Italian subscription plan?

The subscription plan for Pimsleur Italian allows learners to pay a monthly fee of $15-$20, providing access to all the lessons for a total of around $100 for the entire program. This is a more affordable option compared to the full course price of $575.

Is Pimsleur Italian worth the investment?

Yes, Pimsleur Italian is considered worth the investment due to its scientifically proven learning methods, such as spaced repetition and active participation, which help reinforce long-term retention of language material.

How does Pimsleur Italian help learners retain what they learn?

Pimsleur Italian uses spaced repetition, which involves reviewing vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation at strategic intervals. This method has been scientifically proven to improve memory retention and deepen mental processing, ensuring the learned material sticks long-term.

What level of fluency can you expect after completing Pimsleur Italian?

By the end of the five levels, learners can expect to reach a B1 fluency level, which allows for confident conversations in everyday situations but may not be sufficient for discussing complex topics like politics or science.

How many new words will learners acquire in Pimsleur Italian?

Pimsleur Italian teaches approximately 2,000 new words across all five levels. These words make up about 90% of the vocabulary used in typical spoken conversations in Italian.

What is the unique feature of Pimsleur Italian's learning methodology?

Pimsleur Italian emphasizes active participation, where learners are prompted to recall and respond in Italian during lessons. This approach, combined with spaced repetition, ensures deeper mental engagement and longer-lasting retention of the material.

Why is Pimsleur Italian considered a practical learning method?

Pimsleur Italian is practical because it allows learners to study passively during daily activities, such as commuting or exercising, without the need for dedicated study time. This makes it easier for people to integrate language learning into their busy schedules.

How does the Pimsleur Italian subscription plan differ from purchasing the full course?

The subscription plan provides access to the full Pimsleur Italian course for a monthly fee, totaling around $100 for the entire program. In contrast, the full course costs $575 if purchased outright. The subscription option is a more affordable way to access the course.