Company:Pimsleur Language Programs
 | |
| Type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | Concord, Massachusetts , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Mary Green (Vice President, Executive Editor) Tom McLean (Senior Vice President, Pimsleur) Kelly Saux (Vice President, Marketing) |
| Products | Pimsleur Language Programs |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster, LLC (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) |
| Website | pimsleur |
Pimsleur Language Programs (/ˈpɪmzlər/) is an American language-learning company that develops and publishes courses based on the Pimsleur Method™, an audio-first pedagogy emphasizing speaking and listening via spaced repetition and anticipation techniques.[1] The company is a division of Simon & Schuster and produces more than 50 language courses for English speakers, along with English-learning programs for speakers of other languages.[2]
Pimsleur courses are available via subscription or lifetime purchase through the Pimsleur mobile and web applications. The app is supported on iOS, Android, a companion web app, and Amazon Alexa devices, and includes playback integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for hands-free use while driving.[3]
History
Dr. Paul Pimsleur (1927–1976), a professor of applied linguistics and founding member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), developed the original Speak & Read series in the 1960s, including Essential Greek (1963), Essential French (1964), Essential Spanish (1966), and German Compact (1967).[1] He later produced a Twi course for the Peace Corps in 1971.[4] The programs were originally distributed under the title "A Tapeway Program".[5]
Between 1969 and 1970, Pimsleur collaborated with Charles A. S. and Beverly Heinle of The Center for Curriculum Development in Philadelphia, who began marketing the courses under the name "CCD/Tapeway Programs." In 1974, Heinle acquired the rights to Pimsleur and established Heinle & Heinle Enterprises to continue development and distribution.[6]
During the 1980s, the programs were sold under the brand "The Pimsleur Tapes" through Heinle & Heinle Enterprises in Concord, Massachusetts. SyberVision Systems founder Steven DeVore obtained an exclusive license to market the series, distributing it through direct-mail catalogs and televised infomercials that featured Beverly Pimsleur.[7]
In 1995, Simon & Schuster Audio began distributing Pimsleur courses to bookstores, and in 1997 the company acquired full ownership of the Pimsleur catalog from Heinle & Heinle Enterprises.[2] Following the acquisition, Simon & Schuster expanded the catalog to include more than 50 languages and over 200 individual courses, which continue to be produced in Concord, Massachusetts.[8]
From 2005 onward, digital editions were released through online resellers, and in 2008 the company partnered with Nickelodeon to launch Speak Spanish with Dora & Diego, its first children’s line.[9] The same year, Playaway was licensed to distribute the Pimsleur line to the U.S. military on pre-loaded players.[10]
Following natural disasters in 2010 and 2011, Pimsleur made several of its courses freely available to humanitarian workers, including Haitian Creole and Japanese.[11][12] In 2013, Pimsleur donated 15 lessons of its Tagalog course to support aid agencies and volunteers in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.[13]
In 2012, Pimsleur released Pimsleur Unlimited, an interactive software format for Spanish, German, French, and Italian courses, later expanded to additional languages.[14]
In 2018, Pimsleur introduced a mobile app for iOS and Android devices integrating voice control through Amazon Alexa and cross-platform syncing. The release replaced the Pimsleur Unlimited series with Pimsleur Premium digital subscriptions.[15]
In the same year, Pimsleur began offering a subscription-based model for its courses through its website in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The subscription business model was later made available internationally via in-app purchase in the Pimsleur mobile app.[16]
In 2021, the company launched an All Access plan providing access to its entire catalog of more than 50 languages under a single subscription.[17]
In 2022, Pimsleur offered its Ukrainian Premium course at no cost to support humanitarian relief efforts during the crisis in Ukraine.[18] The same year, it released Voice Coach, a speech-recognition feature providing pronunciation feedback to learners.[19]
In 2024, Pimsleur launched Pimsleur Minis, a series of short, topic-focused lessons on culture, grammar, and vocabulary for its ten most popular languages.[20]
In April 2025, Pimsleur added a Challenges & Rewards feature to its app, enabling users to earn points and badges through daily learning activities. In the United States, these points can be redeemed for third-party rewards.[17]
In 2025, Pimsleur released All Access Lifetime worldwide, a one-time purchase plan granting permanent access to all Pimsleur language courses and digital learning tools across multiple devices.[16] The same year, it launched an AI-driven Conversation Coach for Latin American Spanish, offering personalized lessons and lesson review.[17]
In October 2025, the company added Korean Minis to its app, expanding its collection of short-form lessons.[20]
Course structure
Pimsleur courses are primarily audio-based, focusing on the development of speaking and listening skills. Supplemental reading and study materials accompany the courses.[21] Each speaking lesson is approximately 30 minutes in length. Courses are organized into “Levels,” typically containing 30 speaking lessons per level and 20 reading lessons. The number of levels varies by language, ranging from one to five. For example, the French course includes five levels, totaling 150 speaking lessons, 100 reading lessons and roughly 80 hours of instruction.[22]
The program’s emphasis on speaking, listening, recall, and anticipation has been highlighted by cognitive science writers.[23]
Since the 2010s, Pimsleur has expanded the number of levels available for certain languages. Previously, the company offered a maximum of three levels for its most extensively developed languages, for a total of 90 lessons. Some languages now include up to five levels. Prior to this expansion, Pimsleur produced an additional “Plus” level for select courses. These “Plus” levels contained ten supplementary lessons intended for learners who had completed Levels 1 through 3. The “Plus” levels have since been discontinued.
Lesson structure
Each 30 minute speaking lesson begins with a brief conversation in the target language. An English speaking instructor then presents the conversation (or the relevant new material after the first lesson) in English. The new material is then presented gradually within the context previous taught words and phrases. Long words or phrases may be repeated using back-chaining, where the instructor repeats the end, tacks on the preceding portions, and eventually says the entire phrase as the learner repeats. The user will actively be asked to anticipate answers and use previously taught structures to come up with their own answers. The lessons often conclude with a brief recap conversation in the target language to review the new material covered in the lesson. Learners are instructed to continue to the next lesson the following day if they feel they have reached 80% proficiency with the material covered.
Reading lessons are also available, but separate from the speaking lessons. They teach reading skills through a phonetic approach developed by Dr. Pimsleur. The lessons teach the sounds of individual letters and how letters combine to form new sounds. As you progress through these reading lessons and master this phonetic approach, you will then start to read for meaning. Note that the Reading Lessons do not teach you to read the same words and phrases you are learning in the speaking lessons. The words have been carefully curated to facilitate the phonetic approach, focusing on sound-to-symbol relationships rather than vocabulary memorization. This design allows learners to internalize the phonetic structure of the language and build accurate pronunciation habits before associating written forms with meaning. There are 20 reading lessons per level.
The Pimsleur App combines its original audio-based learning system with modern digital tools available through mobile and web applications. These enhancements, branded under Pimsleur Premium, introduce interactive exercises, review games, and progress-tracking features designed to complement the 30-minute speaking lessons. The app includes tools for vocabulary review, pronunciation feedback, conversation simulation, and motivational challenges that encourage consistent daily practice.[24]
Premium Features
Since 2018, the Pimsleur Premium format and accompanying mobile and web applications have expanded the traditional audio-only program with a range of interactive and gamified tools designed to enhance vocabulary retention, reading skills, speaking accuracy, and learner engagement.
Flashcards
Digital flashcards accompany each lesson, allowing users to review key vocabulary and phrases both visually and aurally. They employ spaced-repetition scheduling to strengthen recall and connect spoken forms to their written equivalents.[21]
Quick Match
Quick Match is a quiz-style activity where learners match phrases or translations under light time pressure. It reinforces recognition and comprehension of core vocabulary through short, interactive practice sessions.[21]
SpeakEasy
The SpeakEasy tool provides guided conversation practice based on full transcript dialogues from the main lessons. Learners listen to native-speaker exchanges, read optional transcripts, and repeat lines aloud to simulate real conversational flow and pronunciation.[25]
Skills
Skills are topic-based review collections that group vocabulary and phrases thematically (for example, travel, family, or dining). These modules enable focused study beyond the fixed lesson order.[26]
Speed Round
Speed Round is a timed game that asks learners to respond or identify correct phrases as quickly as possible, simulating the speed of real conversation and helping to improve spontaneous recall.[21]
Bonus Packs
Some courses include Bonus Packs, which add vocabulary expansions and thematic drills designed to help learners expand their vocabulary.[25]
Voice Coach
Introduced in 2024, Voice Coach uses speech-recognition technology to assess pronunciation and fluency. Learners can record themselves, receive performance feedback, and compare their speech to native-speaker models.[19] It also allows learners to obtain a Certificate of Achievement for completing the course.
Conversation Coach
The AI-powered Conversation Coach provides a space for users to practice real conversations on any topic they choose, helping users refine conversational competence beyond pronunciation alone. The AI Coach incorporates various aspects of the Pimsleur Method to facilitate these conversations and help the student along. (Currently available for Spanish Latin American only).
Minis
Minis are short, focused lessons that cover cultural notes, vocabulary expansions, or grammar tips. They are found under the "Enrich" section of the app and serve as compact supplements to the standard 30-minute audio lessons.[20]
Challenges & Rewards
Added in 2025, the Challenges & Rewards system introduces gamification through daily and weekly tasks. Completing lessons, games, or conversations earns users points and badges, encouraging consistent study habits. U.S. Users can redeem these points for third-party rewards.
Streaks
The app tracks consecutive days of study in a streak counter, encouraging daily engagement. Maintaining a streak complements Pimsleur’s use of daily spaced recall for long-term retention.[21]
Course content
The most comprehensively developed Pimsleur Language Programs (those with three or more levels) cover a wide range of material relevant to learners traveling or living in a place where the target language is spoken. Learners who complete a course with 3-5 levels should expect to be presented with 1500-2500 vocabulary words and cover topics such as:
- Courtesies
- Verification of understanding
- Travel essentials
- Communication
- Use of formal & informal address
- Directions & locations
- Transportation
- Numbers & counting
- Food & drink
- Time & date
- Money
- Work & Business
- Leisure & sport
- Family life
- Education
- Personal health
- Relationships
- Weather & temperature
- Cities, states, & countries
- Political and economic
- Feelings and emotions
- Health and wellness
- History
- Accidents, illnesses, and unforeseen events
- Expressing opinions
- Emergencies
- Activities (e.g., college reunion, wedding reception, etc.)
Languages
Pimsleur Language Programs offers courses for 50 different languages other than English. 15 ESL courses are offered.
| Language | Levels offered | Total number of lessons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albanian | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Arabic (Eastern) | 3 | 90 | Premium available |
| Arabic (Egyptian) | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Arabic (Modern Standard) | 3 | 90 | Premium available |
| Armenian (Eastern) | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Armenian (Western) | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Croatian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Czech | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Danish | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Dari | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Dutch | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Persian | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Finnish | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| French | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| German | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Greek | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Haitian Creole | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Hebrew | 3 | 90 | Premium available |
| Hindi | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Hungarian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Icelandic | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Indonesian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Inglés | 3 | 90 | Premium available |
| Irish | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Italian | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Japanese | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Korean | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Lithuanian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Norwegian | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Ojibwe | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Pashto | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Polish | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Brazilian Portuguese | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| European Portuguese | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Punjabi | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Romanian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Russian | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Spanish (Latin American) | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| European Spanish | 5 | 150 | Premium available |
| Swahili | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Swedish | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Swiss German | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Tagalog | 2 | 60 | Premium available |
| Thai | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Turkish | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Twi | 1 | 10 | Premium available |
| Ukrainian | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Urdu | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
| Vietnamese | 1 | 30 | Premium available |
Pimsleur also teaches English as a second or foreign language (ESL) in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, French, Vietnamese, Persian, Korean, Cantonese Chinese, Haitian, German, Japanese and Hindi.
Corporate structure
Pimsleur Language Programs is owned by Simon & Schuster Audio, a division of Simon & Schuster, which is part of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
Offices
- Corporate headquarters are in New York, New York.
- Editorial offices are in Concord, Massachusetts. All courses are developed, produced, and recorded at this location.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dr. Paul Pimsleur and the Science of Speaking". The New York Times. November 12, 1973. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/12/archives/language-methods-review.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Simon & Schuster Acquires Pimsleur Language Programs". 1997. https://about.simonandschuster.biz/news/pimsleur-acquisition/.
- ↑ "Pimsleur App Overview". https://www.pimsleur.com/pimsleur-app/.
- ↑ "ACTFL Founding Members". https://www.actfl.org/about-actfl/history.
- ↑ "Pimsleur: About Our Founder". https://www.pimsleur.com/about-us.
- ↑ "Language Lessons on Tape: The Pimsleur Method". The Chronicle of Higher Education. 1976.
- ↑ "Language Tapes Go Mass Market". Advertising Age. 1986.
- ↑ "Simon & Schuster Expands Pimsleur Language Programs". Publishers Weekly. March 3, 1998.
- ↑ "Pimsleur and Nick Jr. Announce Children’s Language Line". 2008. https://www.nickjr.com/press/pimsleur-language-programs/.
- ↑ "Playaway Partners with Pimsleur for Military Language Learning". 2008. https://www.playaway.com/press/pimsleur-military.
- ↑ "Boston Foundation Partners with Pimsleur for Haitian Relief". 2010. https://www.tbf.org/news/2010/pimsleur-creole-release.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Donates Japanese Lessons for Tsunami Relief". 2011. https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/pimsleur-tsunami-relief.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Donates Tagalog Lessons for Typhoon Haiyan Relief". 2013. https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/pimsleur-haiyan-donation.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Launches Unlimited Interactive Format". Language Magazine. 2012.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Launches New App for Mobile Learners". May 22, 2018. https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/22/pimsleur-app-launch/.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Pimsleur Expands With Subscription-Based Model". Forbes. June 2021.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Pimsleur Adds AI Conversation Coach to Its Language Platform". Wired. April 2025.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Offers Free Ukrainian Course for Humanitarian Response". March 2022. https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/ukrainian-course-relief/.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Pimsleur Voice Coach FAQ". https://d1enwirvb3djmg.cloudfront.net/Pimsleur-Guides-Booklets/Pimsleur_Voice_Coach_FAQ.pdf.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Advanced Language Learning with the Pimsleur App". https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/advanced-language-learning-with-the-pimsleur-app/.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 "Pimsleur FAQ". https://www.pimsleur.com/pimsleur-faq/.
- ↑ "Pimsleur French Course Catalog". https://www.pimsleur.com/learn-french.
- ↑ "How to Learn a Foreign Language, Part 2". Psychology Today. January 15, 2013. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/youre-hired/201301/how-to-learn-a-language.
- ↑ "Pimsleur App Overview". https://www.pimsleur.com/pimsleur-app/.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Pimsleur German Premium". https://www.pimsleur.com/learn-german/lifetime-subscription/.
- ↑ "Pimsleur Review". https://www.sololingual.com/apps-programs/pimsleur-review.
- ↑ "Online Language Courses & Programs to Learn Languages | Pimsleur ®". https://www.pimsleur.com/list-of-languages.
External links
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