How to Learn a Foreign Language by Dr. Paul Pimsleur
Why Dr. Paul Pimsleur Believed Anyone Can Learn a Language
Learning something new in any capacity can be intimidating. We get it. If you’ve thought about learning a new language, but are discouraged by what you’ve heard or how hard you think it might be, think again. In the groundbreaking book How to Learn a Foreign Language by Dr. Paul Pimsleur, Dr. Pimsleur reveals that success is all about confidence and conceptualizing the way you learn.
Confidence
Let’s all call it what it is. Speaking with clarity comes from confidence. Most people believe the emphasis is on what you learn, not how you learn. Paul Pimsleur’s philosophy on how to learn a foreign language focuses on this under-emphasized aspect - the how. And just like the Pimsleur Method™, our proprietary technique for language learning, it’s all about oral and aural skills.
To break it down: oral skills in language learning involve speaking clearly and effectively, aural skills involve the ability to listen and understand. In order to shape your confidence in communicating, both are key in your native language, making them even more vital in learning a new language.
By focusing on speaking and listening to the language, you’re introduced to a new language in the same way a child learns their native tongue. Pimsleur teaches you how to learn a foreign language with the right approach, regardless of your background or experience level.
Concepts
Paul Pimsleur’s simple, no-nonsense plan to learn a new language stresses three key concepts of language learning. Regardless of the language you’re trying to acquire, it all comes down to: grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Practicing this trio consistently is how to learn a foreign language, according to Dr. Pimsleur, and the rest will come naturally.
Grammar is the structural foundation of a language; it governs how words are combined to form meaningful sentences and conveys the relationships between different parts of speech.
Pronunciation refers to the way words and sounds are articulated. Mastering pronunciation is crucial because it affects how well you can be understood by native speakers and how well you can understand others.
Vocabulary is the collection of words and phrases that you use to express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. A rich vocabulary enables learners to engage in a wide range of conversations and comprehend various contexts, from everyday situations to more complex topics.
Everyone Can Learn a Foreign Language
Dr. Paul Pimsleur said that with the right method, anyone who had the drive and the need to learn a foreign language could do it. Innate intelligence doesn't matter, nor innate musical ability. What does matter is perseverance and a willingness to try. ... (Read More)
Why Learning a Language Isn't Hard
Dr. Paul Pimsleur said that with the right method, anyone who had the drive and the need to learn a foreign language could do it. Innate intelligence doesn’t matter, ... (Read More)
Are There "Easy" and "Hard" Languages?
There is much that goes in to determining how difficult a language is to learn. At the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), language difficulty is measured by the number of hours of classroom study it takes to “master” the language ... (Read More)
Using Pimsleur as a Shortcut to Mastery
Dr. Pimsleur’s Method uses a limited vocabulary to teach the structure and the common sounds of the language, and embedding cultural information and pronunciation practice into every lesson. By starting with Pimsleur, you get the core learning up front ... (Read More)
Start Your Language Learning Journey the Way Dr. Pimsleur Intended
Ready to take the next step in learning a new language? Pimsleur gives you everything required to make the process fast, efficient, and (most of all) fun! All our lessons and courses are based on the Pimsleur Method™, which applies many of the ideas presented in How to Learn a Foreign Language by Dr. Paul Pimsleur.
That means you’ll discover a new language with the correct cultural context, all while listening to and speaking the new language. Our platform is audio-first in approach, but you’ll also get plenty of supplementary assistance with fun, interactive learning modules including Digital Flash Cards, our AI voice coach for pronunciation, Speak Easy Challenges, and much more. You’ll see.
Get started today with Pimsleur and you’ll see for yourself how Paul Pimsleur’s proven methods on how to learn a foreign language really work!
