Pimsleur
The proven audio-first language learning method used by millions since 1963.
How to Get Started
- Sign up at pimsleur.com or download the app
- Choose your language — 50+ available
- Start Unit 1 of the 30-minute audio lesson
- Listen and repeat out loud — no reading required
- Progress daily at a pace designed by Dr Pimsleur's research
What You Can Learn
- 30-minute structured audio lessons
- Conversational speaking from lesson 1
- Reading and cultural notes (supplementary)
- Spaced repetition of vocabulary
- 50+ languages including uncommon ones
Key Features
- Audio-first, hands-free learning
- 30-minute daily sessions
- Designed by a linguist (Dr Paul Pimsleur)
- Great for commuting or exercising
- Scientifically validated method
- Offline audio downloads
About Pimsleur
Pimsleur is one of the oldest and most respected language learning programmes in the world, created by Dr Paul Pimsleur in the 1960s based on his research into memory and language acquisition. The method focuses on listening and speaking rather than reading and writing.
Each 30-minute lesson is carefully structured using spaced repetition — a technique that presents words and phrases at precisely the right intervals to encode them in long-term memory. Because the lessons are audio-only, they are ideal for people learning during commutes, exercise, or other activities.
Pimsleur covers over 50 languages, including less common options like Farsi, Swahili, and Ojibwe. While it is premium-priced, its scientifically grounded method and proven results make it a top choice for serious adult language learners.