Mitch
I have used the Pimsleur audio program for both Spanish and German, and think it is great. The problem is that it does not go on forever. I was wondering if other Pimsleur users have found a good method to try and continue the same style of learning. Some Youtube videos are close, but I really wish Pimsleur had more levels, even if just for listening to different types of situations and new vocabulary. So, what have you used post-Pimsleur?
Apr 19, 2022 1:16 PM
Answers · 8
2
Pimsleur’s strength is at the beginner level; after that, it would be better to have something a bit more sophisticated. Anyhow, the next step might be Michelle Thomas (you might find some samples on Youtube). Rutledge has books (their “Colloquial” series) with the audio available online for free at their site. I’ve heard good things about Assimil, but have never tried it. Spanish and French are both extremely well covered, and have phonetic spelling systems, so once your pronunciation is OK, you can start using immersion-method language textbooks and graded readers (as Loki suggests). You should also start looking for listening material, preferably level-appropriate (podcasts, Deutsche-Welle is excellent for German) perhaps starting with songs you like.
April 19, 2022
2
I don't know how the levels match up exactly, but you could take a look at Glossika. Maybe an upper level from them would give you somewhere to go next. In my opinion however, after Pimsleur one should consume real content (check out: Ollie Richards' 'graded reader' books, plus a plugin called 'Language Reactor' to add interactive subtitles to Netflix, YT, etc – it gives you way more value) and speak to native speakers on a platform like... iTalki ;)
April 19, 2022
1
I've used pimsleur and love it, but I've found it leaves you with a big need to expand your vocabulary. I was considering glossika as my next step, but I still don't know much other than you memorise a billion sentences, but it's apparently aimed more at intermediate learners so it seems like it might be a logical next step for me. I've also tried the graded reader approach and found it really works for me. Alternatively I've used a teach yourself book to cement some more of the grammar in combination with paid italki lessons. You could get away with something as simple as a practice partner to role play conversations, and if you need some inspiration then sometimes having a bilingual picture dictionary can do the trick. I did try Michel Thomas, but I don't know how far it goes because I didn't like it anywhere near as much as pimsleur.
April 20, 2022
Thanks, all. I will definitely look at Glossika, which I was not familiar with. I don't mind endless repetitions of phrases... that is somewhat like what you get from Pimsleur. I forgot to mention that I do use and like Penton Overseas. I used them for Spanish and now for German. Once you get the basics of grammar down, I like being able to listen to the audio on my own time, usually in the car.
April 20, 2022
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