Pimsleur Spanish Review

Spanish is estimated to be spoken by 470 to 500 million people, making it the second most-spoken language in the world! It is the most widely spoken of the romance languages, and in the United States alone, you will find over 41 million native Spanish speakers.

The Spanish language is a useful asset for anyone to possess. If you are considering learning to speak Spanish, read more for our honest review of Pimsleur Spanish.

Summary of Pimsleur Spanish Review

Pimsleur Spanish is based on Dr. Paul Pimsleur’s idea that language learning is based on four core principles including the following.

Core Vocabulary

This principle states that most conversations use the same core words and that those are the words you should learn before all others. Once you learn these keywords, you can build from there. These words will get you to speak Spanish quickly.

Principle of Anticipation

This principle states that our brains are constantly trying to understand and respond to language. We anticipate responses to a conversation as we are listening to what is spoken. Pimsleur helps you to memorize the language by activating these brain connections.

Graduated Interval Recall

The Pimsleur Method capitalizes on the fact that certain words, when repeated at varying intervals are more likely to be stored in our long-term memory bank.

Organic Learning

This principle is based on using everyday scenarios or events to learn Spanish. You can relate to what is happening, so it is more likely to stay with you.

Pimsleur Spanish: PROS

Pro #1: Access Anywhere

Pimsleur is available on smartphones, tablets and computers. This makes it easy to learn on the go. Since you do not need to do more than listen, and sometimes rewind to listen again, you can easily complete your lessons when you work out, clean around the house, or go for walks.

Pro #2: Quick Lessons

Each lesson lasts about 30 minutes, which is easy for most people to fit into their schedules. You can also repeat lessons for better understanding if necessary.

Pro #3: Useful Vocabulary

There is a limited amount of vocabulary words, and this makes it easy to retain them to memory. Most of the vocabulary is useful and necessary for conversation, and pronunciation is emphasized so you know exactly how to speak them.

Pimsleur Spanish: CONS

Con #1: Dated, Mundane Lessons

The lessons can prove dated and slightly boring. This makes it difficult to want to continue studying. There are no reading or writing lessons, so you are relegated to audio learning only. This can be difficult for those who are visual or tactile learners.

Con #2: No Grammar Explanations

Pimsleur Spanish is only based on listening to and repeating conversations, so you will find little in the way of learning correct Spanish grammar. If you choose to become fluent in Spanish, you will definitely want more instruction on grammatical issues like sentence structure and verb conjugations.

Con #3: Expensive

Pimsleur is one of the most expensive language-learning programs out there when comparing monthly subscription prices.

Features of Pimsleur Spanish

Golden Rules

Pimsleur promises to have you speaking Spanish in 90 days as long as you follow the rules. Complete each 30-minute lesson in succession every day. Repeat what you hear aloud rather than in your head. Do not take notes; simply listen and repeat when prompted.

Easy to Use

It is easy to access your lessons because they are right in front of you on the screen. Lessons that are available to you have a “play” button. Locked lessons will open as you complete the prior lessons.

Learning Games and Tools (Premium)

If you upgrade to the Premium subscription, you will find a variety of “extras” to enhance your learning. These extras include interactive games, flashcards and quizzes to help cement your Spanish to memory.

Simple, Well-Designed Dashboard

The updated Pimsleur Spanish dashboard is simple and easy to navigate.

Who Is Pimsleur Spanish Good For?

Pimsleur Spanish is a good learning tool for those who:

Who Is Pimsleur Spanish NOT Good For?

Conversely, some people may not find Pimsleur’s method useful and that includes those who:

Pimsleur Spanish vs. The Competition

Pimsleur Spanish vs. SpanishPod101

SpanishPod101 offers a structured pathway to learn to speak Spanish along with alternative pathways for fast specific information. It consists of video and podcast lessons so you have some diversity with your studies. There are a variety of learning tools, flashcards and voice-recording tools..

There is a free seven-day trial period like Pimsleur’s. After that, the monthly cost can vary from $4 to as high as $43 per month depending on the level you choose. Coupon codes are easy to come by for additional discounts.

Pimsleur Spanish vs. Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is one of the older language-learning programs on the market like Pimsleur. It offers the choice of CD and books or an online platform to learn to speak Spanish. There will be video and audio lessons in vocabulary and grammar.

Is Pimsleur better than Rosetta Stone? While we cannot answer that definitively, we can say they are different. They do fall around the same monthly cost, but Rosetta Stone uses video, audio, and associated games to help with learning Spanish. It should be noted that many lessons in Rosetta Stone can be repetitive and boring.

Pimsleur Spanish vs. Rocket Spanish

Rocket Spanish has three learning levels designed to take you from beginner to advanced speaker. You can purchase the lessons as you go or all at once. There is no subscription service; only a one-time fee.
Rocket Spanish is in-depth and comprehensive covering Spanish grammar, writing and cultural norms. It is made up of a variety of learning methods including interactive audio lessons, quizzes and voice recordings.

Cost of Pimsleur Spanish

Pimsleur Spanish is available as a free seven-day trial. After the trial period, you can choose between Pimsleur Spanish or Pimsleur Premium Spanish monthly subscription plans. The Pimsleur Premium Spanish subscription includes everything offered by the Pimsleur Spanish including the items on the list.

Pimsleur Spanish Review: Final Thoughts

Pimsleur is one of the most expensive language-learning programs out there, but it does offer a unique way to learn a foreign language. It is lacking in grammatical explanations and visual activities so we feel it’s probably best suited for those who are just beginning to learn to speak Spanish.