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Is Pimsleur the best French learning app? That depends significantly on you.
Every language learning app features a particular approach, strategy, and design, which means it might appeal to some learners and leave others cold. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the Pimsleur app.
I spent a few days trying out the Classic and Premium versions of the Pimsleur French app. Here’s what I discovered.
Is Pimsleur the best French learning app?
The Pimsleur French app could be a good fit for audio learners, especially for students who want to amp up their French pronunciation skills.
On the other hand, the Classic Pimsleur French app’s lack of visual resources and even its bland interface in both versions will probably leave fellow visual learners feeling disconnected and disoriented.
Pimsleur also provides no basic, concrete explanation of French grammar, and the the Classic version’s lack of visuals means you won’t get to learn or study French spelling, either.
Pimsleur’s Premium version does include a number of different review and practice activities with a visual element, but it often feels like these are harder than they need to be, since users will have only heard words and phrases, not learned how to spell them.
Luckily, there are many other French learning apps out there that take a less biased approach and always allow you to see sentences, phrases, and dialogue transcripts, even if they focus on audio learning. Some, like the French Together app, also allow you the option of hiding lines of dialogue and then clicking to reveal them, if you want to practice that way.
What is the Pimsleur French app?
Based on a language learning method developed by Dr. Paul Pimsleur in the 1960’s, and available in one form or another (cassettes, CD’s, downloads, etc.) since the 1980’s, Pimsleur is a language learning app you can use on your computer or mobile device(s).
For Dr. Pimsleur, languages are best learned through listening and repetition, as opposed, say, to writing or grammar exercises or reading.
But while many other apps (including French Together) might make listening exercises a priority but have other resources, the Pimsleur Method relies heavily — or in some cases, entirely — on audio learning and the repetition of words, sounds, and syllables, with little or no print or visual resources. Learners listen to dialogues and then follow a series of lessons that build on vocabulary from these dialogues.
The Pimsleur French app consists of five learning levels. These roughly cover from beginner to around the B1 or B2 CEFR levels.
Each Pimsleur lesson typically starts with a short dialogue.You aren’t necessarily expected to understand the dialogues in the lessons at first. Typically, they will be broken down, phrase by phrase or sentence by sentence, and explained or put into context in some way. You’ll be asked to repeat certain parts or maybe asked how to say certain things. If you are used to French Together, this focus on dialogues will feel familiar.
Then, there’s usually a big shift. Suddenly, other words, sounds, or even concepts like new phrases will be added. You’ll be asked to practice (or, if you’ve heard them in previous lessons, review) them.
This is all a part of Dr. Pimsleur’s beliefs on language acquisition. On the plus side, it certainly keeps you on your toes. But at times it might feel like it’s given you whiplash, or even that you simply wanted more practice with what you were working on and now you have to move on to something else.
Luckily, you can easily pause and/or replay the lessons, which is helpful. But if you were to strictly follow the method, I get the impression that you wouldn’t do this.
Once you’ve finished the day’s lesson, that’s it. Well…unless you have the Pimsleur app’s Premium version, which includes review exercises.
An important note about the Pimsleur French app
There are two versions of the Pimsleur French app. This is very important to be aware of.
The Classic Pimsleur app consists of 30 lessons of about 30 minutes for each level you purchase. These are audio-only and you can’t slow down the audio speed, although you can replay/rewind lessons. There are no additional review or exercise materials offered. As in both versions of the Pimsleur app, there are no transcripts, either.
The Premium Pimsleur app option consists of those 30 lessons of 30 or so minutes for each level you purchase. It also includes exercises and review materials for each lesson. Most of these are actually what you’d expect from a standard app, even a free one: flash cards, speaking exercises, fill-in-the blank sentences and the like. There are also audio lessons for selected grammar and culture concepts.
What’s good about the Pimsleur French app
Here’s what I appreciated about the Pimsleur French app.
• Pimsleur has been effective for lots of people over the years.
• The use of repetition and listening-only lessons are helpful for pronunciation and listening skills.
• Good for audio learners.
• A good resource for French learners focused on pronunciation.
• Pimsleur’s Premium version offers a variety of practice and review activities for each lesson.
What’s not good about the Pimsleur French app
Here’s what I didn’t like about the Pimsleur French app.
• Probably not the best choice for people who are visual learners and/or who prefer a structured approach to language learning. I know this is the case for me. Of all the French learning apps I’ve reviewed, I’ve really disliked Pimsleur and cannot imagine using it to learn French. Of course, everyone is different….
• No lesson transcripts or any sort of written French (at least in the Classic version of Pimsleur). The Pimsleur Premium app includes a few visual exercises and elements like flashcards, but these are extras and there are still no transcripts. Prioritizing audio learning may make it easier for learners to correctly pronounce French sounds and words and improve their listening skills. But on the other hand, since French spelling and French pronunciation are often so different, many users may not end up knowing how to spell the vocabulary and verb endings they learn.
• No written, structured grammar lessons or explanations.
• While the Pimsleur Method has been an effective way for lots of people to learn and remember basic French vocabulary, it doesn’t teach more than that. If you want to talk about a wide range of topics, improvise a conversation, or discuss a niche subject, Pimsleur won’t teach you to do that.
• The French you’ll learn tends to be more formal than everyday conversational French (this is particularly noticeable when you compare it to a conversational app like French Together).
• The Premium version’s review and practice lessons are often harder than they need to be, since audio-only lesson means users haven’t had any way of reading the words and phrases. Sometimes, the phrases in the review exercises don’t even have an audio recording to listen to as a point of reference.
• One of the most disappointing things about my experience with Pimsleur is that both the web and the mobile app versions of Pimsleur couldn’t read my computer or my phone’s microphone. This sometimes happens with language learning apps, but what’s especially frustrating is that the Pimsleur app asked me to change settings within my computer or phone to allow cookies, which is very sketchy. This is especially disappointing because Pimsleur is not a free app and has such a strong emphasis on spoken French.
How much does Pimsleur cost?
As a general rule, the Pimsleur French app costs between $100 and $500 depending on which version and level you choose, and whether you purchase a single level or all of the Pimsleur app levels.
As of this writing, Pimsleur’s Classic French course, which includes 30-minute audio lessons with no review or practice exercises and no visual aids, starts at around $100. Prices vary depending on which level you choose. You can purchase unlimited access to all five levels of the Classic Pimsleur French course for $484.
As of this writing, Pimsleur’s Premium French course, which includes 30-minute audio lessons and a number of supplementary audio lessons, as well as written and audio review and practice exercises, starts at around $125. Prices vary depending on which level you choose. You can purchase unlimited access to all five levels of the Premium Pimsleur French course for $506.
Check the Pimsleur website in your country for prices in your local currency.
Should I use Pimsleur to learn French?
The Pimsleur Method has been effective for many people, especially those with a focus on being able to have basic, somewhat formal French conversations during, say, a trip. People who are very focused on French pronunciation may also find the Pimsleur French app to be a great resource.
But for visual learners or for those of us who want to learn things like everyday conversational French, reading skills, and/or at least a little bit of basic French grammar, it’s probably better to look elsewhere.
Fortunately, there are a lot of other French learning apps out there that might fit your learning needs better. For instance, French Together lets you learn contemporary spoken French and also includes transcripts and exercises that help you see how French words are spelled, not just how they’re pronounced.
I hope this Pimsleur review was helpful. Whichever app(s) you choose to learn or practice French, good luck and enjoy your French learning journey!