Languages > Spanish > Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30

Comments about Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I have a very busy schedule and can't spend time in front of the computer for learning. I had to find a way to be able to "listen and learn". I don't have good oral memory so I really have to concentrate.

I looked at many language learning options, and while all good, the Pimsleur method really works for me as I can listen whenever and run around and get stuff done. I actually listen to each lesson several times before progressing. I know some people have complained that there is not enough time to respond but there is, if you know the material! Also, I think that the approach means for you to react instinctively and not worry so much about thinking.

So take your time, do a lesson a day, but do each lesson more than once until your responses become instinctive. Between sessions, I think about the new words I've learned and try to create my own combinations. And of course, practice the pronunciation of words that I struggle with.

I plan to take Pimsleur all the way, and then begin on another language. Learning a language and struggling with things that are difficult for you, keeps your brain sharp!

Comments about Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I'm going to Spain in the fall & made a promise to myself to learn some spanish. I knew almost none. I bought Phase I about 4 weeks ago. The 30-min units are the perfect amount of time for me to focus. I love that each unit introduces only a few new words/concepts & that they repeat past lessons. I feel very motivated because I'm being successful with each unit. And I'm 70 y.o. I can feel my brain cells growing.

Comments about Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I had two years of Spanish in high school more than 50 years ago. I received high marks, although I never was able to engage in the most basic conversation. Years later, when I realized how rewarding it would be to speak a second language, I tried to take up where I left off. It didn't work. In fact, I have tried everything possible to regain my limited proficiency without success. I studied books, videos, vocabularies, verb conjugations, flash cards, you name it. None of these tools worked for me.

I had to swallow a lot of pride, but I finally decided that the only way I was going to really learn Spanish was to start over and learn the way my grandchildren are learning English. I am now on lesson 28 in the Pimsleur program and it's working for me.

I am using an MP3 player and I can stop it whenever I want to "think through" and answer before the voice tells me the answer. I can repeat a lesson as often as necessary to really learn the material too. Some lessons are more difficult than others, but I can usually move on to the next lesson after repeating a lesson three to six times. I do all of this in the privacy of my car or on a leisurely walk without the embarrassment of other people watching or listening and commenting on my mistakes.

My criticisms of the program are few. I believe they could do a better job of timing the length of the pauses following the instructions. Sometimes there is not enough time to say an entire phrase and sometimes you could say it three or four times before the next instruction. Another challenge is listening to instructions in Spanish. Listening skills are just as important as speaking skills, so I appreciate the process, but sometimes the Spanish instructions use vocabulary that has not been taught yet. I also think it would be good to have a basic grammar text to supplement the other reading materials.

The bottom line is this: I am a very satisfied customer. I am already dreaming of my next trip to a Latin American country where I can try out my newly acquired skills.

Comments about Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30:

While I had a little bit of trouble getting the lessons downloaded, once I contacted customer service, they were very helpful and gave me an easy link. Now I have all the lessons on my iPhone and do one every day on my drive to work or while out running errands or on the way to visit friends on the weekends. The lessons build on each other nicely and I can already understand much better than I did before after only 8 lessons.

I look forward to completing most of the lessons before my trip to Spain next month, and I will get plenty of opportunity to use my new skills while there.

Comments about Spanish Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I've been using this course for several years off and on. Use it while commuting. Have not used it for actual travel, but I do get complimented on my accent from others who speak Spanish, whenever I speak the Pimsleur Spanish. I normally have a Southern accent, so I think that's pretty good! I was reading "Skippy John Jones" books to my kids on a plane, and a total stranger complimented me on my accent! So, I guess the "listen, repeat" system seems to really work. I occasionally encounter Spanish speakers in my work, so I wanted to have some basis for communication with them. I think this is providing that basis. And it's fun! Would give it 5 stars, but I want to actual try it in a Spanish-speaking country first!

Service and delivery comments:

I think this is a good value. I've been very happy with it. Don't know how you could improve it, short of a "Matrix"-style upload directly into my brain!