Learning a new language takes time and, usually, money. Classes, textbooks, tutoring — these add up quickly, and over the months it can take to achieve proficiency, you’ll spend even more. But there are a few ways to learn a language that can save you both time and money. The most seemingly modern way to learn a language is through one of the CD- or software-based language courses, like Pimsleur, and probably the most famous, Rosetta Stone. They’re not necessarily frugal, but they are popular, so here’s a look at what they really are.
The Pimsleur method or the Pimsleur Approach is an audio-based language acquisition method developed by Paul Pimsleurthat stresses active participation over rote memorization. During lessons, the listener repeats words and phrases given by native speakers and constructs new phrases by inference. As new phrases are introduced, the listener is prompted to recall older phrases. The Pimsleur method focuses on proficiency in speaking, as well as proficiency in reading. These two aspects are honed through thirty-minute lessons, which are repeated until a score of at least 80% comprehension is achieved before proceeding to the next lesson.During the lessons, students listen to native speakers of the target language as they speak phrases in both the foreign language, as well as the student’s main language. At graduated-intervals, learners are prompted to repeat a phrase after listening to the speaker. As the student progresses through the program, the interval increases, as does the size of the vocabulary. The courses are made up of 30-minute daily sessions and shorter reading lessons. The pimsleur method offers self-study language learning solution of over 5o languages.
Rosetta stone’s teaching method, called as Dynamic Immersion, is designed to use the natural language learning ability that children use to learn their native language. Rosetta Course is a self-study interactive language learning course consists of