Pimsleur versus Michel Thomas: Which Is Better? |
Pimsleur and Michel Thomas are at once very similar and very different. So which is better? The answer is maybe less dramatic than one might suppose. They are both good, and they both should be a part of a language-learning program.
How are they similar? Both Pimsleur and Michel Thomas are audio based. They are in the same philosophical stream, emphasizing learning through listening and speaking. Many folks--including those of us in the United States--have realized that our formal school language classes translated into very little comprehension. There is a great deal of frustration after one has spent four or more years studying a language in school only to feel totally lost when trying to communicate in an actual organic conversation with a native speaker of that language. Often the most helpless feeling is the realization that the sound of the native speaker is like a completely different language than the one studied in school. After the basic greetings, everything might as well be Martian. In practice, language is largely an audio experience. We hear another speak, and then we, in turn, respond with words. Language is primarily a function of ears and mouths. In formal learning, we get stuck on the printed word. And that's why we end up focusing on our energy on conjugating irregular verbs instead of just hearing how people in the language actually talk in given circumstances. Trying as an adult can be just as frustrating. Many programs on the market leave the user with the same "count to ten / where is the bathroom" level of language comprehension. However, there are programs on the market that do go beyond this number counting and basic greetings comprehension. The unique quality that both Pimsleur and Michel Thomas bring to language learning is the emphasis on training the ear. The focus is not on memorizing strange forms of subjunctive. They both train the learner to hear and interact with a native speaker from the beginning. The critical component here is that the learner begins to get a feel for the rythmn of the language; the patterns start to develop; and vocabulary will gradual expand and become more natural. So where are they different?
| Element | | Pimsleur | | versus | | Michel Thomas |
| Price | X | ||
| Amount of Content | X | ||
| Quality of Content | Tie | Tie | |
| Structure of Content | X | ||
| Pacing for New Learners | X | ||
| Pacing for Intermediate Learners | X | ||
| Ease of Use | X |
Okay, so how are they different? One program isn't better than the other, they are just more appropriate for different situations. Pimsleur is my preference when starting a new language. Why? The pacing is slower in Pimsleur than in Michel Thomas. Some people think the pacing is too slow. I think it's perfect for new learners or for those who have studied a language with books and flashcards, but do not yet have an audio background in a language. The neat thing about Pimsleur is its length. Each level contains a whopping fifteen hours (yes, fifteen hours) of audio content. If you are learning a popular language like French or Spanish, Pimsleur offers dozens and dozens of hours of audio training. Compare that to your standard one or two CD generic language program out there. There's nothing else on the market with the amount of audio content than Pimsleur. The only thing on the market with more audio content than Pimsleur would be to just buy an actual audiobook in the language. But do the Pimsleur first, then move on to the audiobooks. Don't put the cart before the horse, or else you will get frustrated. The neat thing about Pimsleur is its quantity. This program has so many hours in that it can do something no other program can do: spend time actually learning how to put a sentence together. You learn patterns. It's the equivalent of having a personal tutor sit down with you each day. And this personal tutor is very patient. It's almost like he says, "Okay, today we are going to spend thirty minutes learning how to say I used to go to the movies, but now I like to go on walks. These examples build over time, and you will start to get the patterns. If you are learning a popular language like French, Spanish, or German, you will have five levels to go through. After those five levels, you will definitely develop an ear for the language, and be able to hold a conversation about certain topics with native speakers. Michel Thomas is great for enhancing or refreshing a language you already have some knowledge with. The pacing is faster than Pimsleur. Intermediate learners may prefer Michel Thomas in this respect, but beginners may find it too fast. While some say Pimsleur is slow and clinical, Michel Thomas is more informal, the lessons flowing like a conversation. The native speaker actually isn't the only one in the room: the program features other students, who will learn and make mistakes, like you. Some folks may find the other students on the lessons a distraction, but it does give the program an informal feel. While Pimsleur is liking sitting down one-on-one with a tutor, Michel Thomas is more like being at a table with other students. Another advantage of Michel Thomas is that the CDs are broken down into different tracks ever six minutes or so. Users may appreciate the ability in Michel Thomas to skip to the section where they need to work on. In Pimsleur, you sort of need to listen to the whole lesson again because it is not broken down into tracks.
While many people focus on the differences between these two programs, it should be emphasized that Paul Pimsleur and Michel Thomas would probably be friends if they ran into each other in real life. They were both great teachers who wanted to spread the joy of language learning. Both focused on the power of audio learning. Michel Thomas is about half the length of Pimsleur. However, some might argue that the faster pacing makes up for the lost time. Both programs cover similar content. My recommendation is to complete the first level of Pimsleur in the new language and then match it with the Michel Thomas. Learn with Pimsleur, and then solidify with Michel Thomas. Price is a concern for many people. Michel Thomas is considerably less expensive than Pimsleur, so for many that factor makes the decision. However, check your library for Pimsleur. Pimsleur also offers regular discounts on its online store. An alternative for Pimsleur users is to obtain the program electronically. A digital monthly subscription is cheaper than the physical formats if the user commits to getting through the lessons efficiently. Personally, I'm old fashioned, so I don't mind paying more for the CDs. In sum, use both of these programs in tandem, and you will find that your ear and speaking skills improve dramatically. Updated August 2019 Back to the top of the page