Pimsleur Unlimited

Pimsleur Unlimited modernizes the renowned Pimsleur Method by offering interactive resources like a chat room and visual lessons. However, it still does not have speech recognition software and offers a very limited number of languages.

The bottom line

If you like learning with your ears, Pimsleur might be for you. Pimsleur Unlimited does not generate as much buzz as the web-based Rocket Languages, but its devoted fan base, built up over decades, makes Pimsleur Unlimited worth considering.

Setup

An audio-only method upgrades to a DVD. Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur Unlimited software is a modernized version of the Pimsleur audio-based language learning method, which was developed by a language expert about 50 years ago. For years the company sold CDs accompanied by hard-copy texts, but Pimsleur Unlimited now comes with a DVD that includes visual lessons and interactive exercises. After purchasing the product via the website or a retailer, you'll need to activate it online in order to take advantage of interactive features like audio chat rooms. The audio files can be transferred to mobile devices, including the Nook eBook reader. The software can be used by up to four people on four devices.

Interface

Learn, Review, Engage. The interface is divided into three categories: Learn, where you can practice audio-based lessons; Review, which includes quizzes and games; and Engage, where you can participate in audio chat rooms. Sharp, large photos and images enhance audio lessons. Because the method embraces "intuitive" learning, the lessons do not deconstruct the language for the student or focus on grammar -- a drawback or a benefit, again depending on how you learn.

Features

Flash cards, interactive exercises and games. Pimsleur's approach is to get you to practice 30 minutes a day for a month, so the lessons are divided into 30 half-hour segments. The software guides you through the lessons and checks "complete" when you finish, but you have the flexibility to change your lesson plan. In addition to the audio lessons, Pimsleur Unlimited includes reading and conversational tools along with hundreds of flash cards and games. Audio chat rooms give you the chance to talk in small groups with students and "cultural ambassadors" who also provide cultural tips. Some reviewers find Pimsleur's exercises and flash cards repetitive (think vocabulary drills) while others swear by the method's effectiveness. The product could use a recording device and speech recognition tool, which is critical for independent learners to self-assess their pronunciation.