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Pimsleur Comprehensive Spanish
Pimsleur Spanish I [Lessons 1-30]
The Easiest and Fastest Way to Learn Spanish
Did you know that Spanish is the world’s second most commonly spoken language? For Americans, it’s one of the easiest to learn, and you won’t find anything faster or easier than the Pimsleur® Method. Even knowing a little bit of Spanish will make travel to Latin America or Spanish-speaking countries a breeze. Whether you want to travel, communicate with friends or colleagues, reconnect with family, or just understand more of what’s going on in the world around you, learning Spanish will expand your horizons and immeasurably enrich your life.
The best part is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or take years to master. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes, and we get you speaking right from the first day. Pimsleur courses use a scientifically-proven method that puts you in control of your learning. If you’ve tried other language learning methods but found they simply didn’t stick, then you owe it to yourself to give Pimsleur a try.
Why Pimsleur?
- Quick + Easy – Only 30 minutes a day.
- Portable + Flexible – Core lessons can be done anytime, anywhere, and easily fit into your busy life.
- Proven Method – Works when other methods fail.
- Self-Paced – Go fast or go slow – it’s up to you.
- Based in Science – Developed using proven research on memory and learning.
- Cost-effective – Less expensive than classes or immersion, and features all native speakers.
- Genius – Triggers your brain’s natural aptitude to learn.
- Works for everyone – Recommended for ages 13 and above.
What’s Included?
- 30, 30-minute audio lessons
- 60 minutes of reading instruction to provide you with an introduction to reading Spanish designed to teach you to sound out words with correct pronunciation and accent
- in total, 16 hours of audio, all featuring native speakers
- a Reading Booklet and User’s Guide
What You’ll Learn
In the first 10 lessons, you’ll cover the saying hello, asking for or giving information, scheduling a meal or a meeting, asking for or giving basic directions, and much more. You’ll be able to handle minimum courtesy requirements, understand much of what you hear, and be understood at a beginning level, but with near-native pronunciation skills.
In the next 10 lessons, you’ll build on what you’ve learned. Expand your menu, increase your scheduling abilities from general to specific, start to deal with currency and exchanging money, refine your conversations and add over a hundred new vocabulary items. You’ll understand more of what you hear, and be able to participate with speech that is smoother and more confident.
In the final 10 lessons, you’ll be speaking and understanding at an intermediate level. In this phase, more directions are given in the target language, which moves your learning to a whole new plane. Lessons include shopping, visiting friends, going to a restaurant, plans for the evening, car trips, and talking about family. You’ll be able to speak comfortably about things that happened in the past and make plans for the future.
Reading Lessons are included at the end of Lesson 30 to provide you with an introduction to reading Spanish. These lessons, which total about one hour, are designed to teach you to sound out words with correct pronunciation and accent.
The Pimsleur Method
We make no secret of what makes this powerful method work so well. Paul Pimsleur spent his career researching and perfecting the precise elements anyone can use to learn a language quickly and easily. Here are a few of his “secrets”:
The Principle of Anticipation
In the nanosecond between a cue and your response, your brain has to work to come up with the right word. Having to do this boosts retention, and cements the word in your mind.
Core Vocabulary
Words, phrases, and sentences are selected for their usefulness in everyday conversation. We don’t overwhelm you with too much, but steadily increase your ability with every lesson.
Graduated Interval Recall
Reminders of new words and structures come up at the exact interval for maximum retention and storage into your long-term memory.
Organic Learning
You work on multiple aspects of the language simultaneously. We integrate grammar, vocabulary, rhythm, melody, and intonation into every lesson, which allows you to experience the language as a living, expressive form of human culture.
Learning in Context
Research has shown that learning new words in context dramatically accelerates your ability to remember. Every scene in every Pimsleur lesson is set inside a conversation between two people. There are no drills, and no memorization necessary for success.
Active Participation
The Pimsleur Method + active learner participation = success. This method works with every language and every learner who follows it. You gain the power to recall and use what you know, and to add new words easily, exactly as you do in English.
The Spanish Language
Spanish is the official language of 19 Latin American nations, as well as ...
Did you know that Spanish is the world’s second most commonly spoken language? For Americans, it’s one of the easiest to learn, and you won’t find anything faster or easier than the Pimsleur® Method. Even knowing a little bit of Spanish will make travel to Latin America or Spanish-speaking countries a breeze. Whether you want to travel, communicate with friends or colleagues, reconnect with family, or just understand more of what’s going on in the world around you, learning Spanish will expand your horizons and immeasurably enrich your life.
The best part is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or take years to master. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes, and we get you speaking right from the first day. Pimsleur courses use a scientifically-proven method that puts you in control of your learning. If you’ve tried other language learning methods but found they simply didn’t stick, then you owe it to yourself to give Pimsleur a try.
Why Pimsleur?
- Quick + Easy – Only 30 minutes a day.
- Portable + Flexible – Core lessons can be done anytime, anywhere, and easily fit into your busy life.
- Proven Method – Works when other methods fail.
- Self-Paced – Go fast or go slow – it’s up to you.
- Based in Science – Developed using proven research on memory and learning.
- Cost-effective – Less expensive than classes or immersion, and features all native speakers.
- Genius – Triggers your brain’s natural aptitude to learn.
- Works for everyone – Recommended for ages 13 and above.
What’s Included?
- 30, 30-minute audio lessons
- 60 minutes of reading instruction to provide you with an introduction to reading Spanish designed to teach you to sound out words with correct pronunciation and accent
- in total, 16 hours of audio, all featuring native speakers
- a Reading Booklet and User’s Guide
What You’ll Learn
In the first 10 lessons, you’ll cover the saying hello, asking for or giving information, scheduling a meal or a meeting, asking for or giving basic directions, and much more. You’ll be able to handle minimum courtesy requirements, understand much of what you hear, and be understood at a beginning level, but with near-native pronunciation skills.
In the next 10 lessons, you’ll build on what you’ve learned. Expand your menu, increase your scheduling abilities from general to specific, start to deal with currency and exchanging money, refine your conversations and add over a hundred new vocabulary items. You’ll understand more of what you hear, and be able to participate with speech that is smoother and more confident.
In the final 10 lessons, you’ll be speaking and understanding at an intermediate level. In this phase, more directions are given in the target language, which moves your learning to a whole new plane. Lessons include shopping, visiting friends, going to a restaurant, plans for the evening, car trips, and talking about family. You’ll be able to speak comfortably about things that happened in the past and make plans for the future.
Reading Lessons are included at the end of Lesson 30 to provide you with an introduction to reading Spanish. These lessons, which total about one hour, are designed to teach you to sound out words with correct pronunciation and accent.
The Pimsleur Method
We make no secret of what makes this powerful method work so well. Paul Pimsleur spent his career researching and perfecting the precise elements anyone can use to learn a language quickly and easily. Here are a few of his “secrets”:
The Principle of Anticipation
In the nanosecond between a cue and your response, your brain has to work to come up with the right word. Having to do this boosts retention, and cements the word in your mind.
Core Vocabulary
Words, phrases, and sentences are selected for their usefulness in everyday conversation. We don’t overwhelm you with too much, but steadily increase your ability with every lesson.
Graduated Interval Recall
Reminders of new words and structures come up at the exact interval for maximum retention and storage into your long-term memory.
Organic Learning
You work on multiple aspects of the language simultaneously. We integrate grammar, vocabulary, rhythm, melody, and intonation into every lesson, which allows you to experience the language as a living, expressive form of human culture.
Learning in Context
Research has shown that learning new words in context dramatically accelerates your ability to remember. Every scene in every Pimsleur lesson is set inside a conversation between two people. There are no drills, and no memorization necessary for success.
Active Participation
The Pimsleur Method + active learner participation = success. This method works with every language and every learner who follows it. You gain the power to recall and use what you know, and to add new words easily, exactly as you do in English.
The Spanish Language
Spanish is the official language of 19 Latin American nations, as well as ...
Audio CD
First published February 1, 1995
49 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 29, 2008
Attempted to improve my Peggy Hill Espanish; failed. Also note: I'm lazy.
It should also be noted that this program is sort of dedicated to, like, very formal fifties-style Castellano, "encantado" instead of "mucho gusto" etc. So I guess you end up sounding like old-fashioned and gay, like some kind of Spanish-speaking Truman Capote or something.
It should also be noted that this program is sort of dedicated to, like, very formal fifties-style Castellano, "encantado" instead of "mucho gusto" etc. So I guess you end up sounding like old-fashioned and gay, like some kind of Spanish-speaking Truman Capote or something.
June 14, 2018
I got through this first level of the Pimsleur Spanish course. I have also gone through the entire Pimsleur Russian course, and the Spanish course follows an analogous methodology. New words and grammar are introduced one at a time. Lots of repetitions follow, and the new words return less and less frequently as the course progresses. Pimsleur is not the only course to use this methodology, but it is the most comprehensive. The course is primarily for learning to listen and speak the language. Reading is secondary, and writing is not included at all.
Previously I had taken the Learn Spanish with Paul Noble audiobook course. I appreciate both the Paul Noble approach and the Pimsleur method. They are complementary, and together they gave me a decent enough foundation, considering how much time I put into it. The Pimsleur CD's are very expensive, but I borrowed them from the library. That may be a consideration for a student of foreign languages.
Previously I had taken the Learn Spanish with Paul Noble audiobook course. I appreciate both the Paul Noble approach and the Pimsleur method. They are complementary, and together they gave me a decent enough foundation, considering how much time I put into it. The Pimsleur CD's are very expensive, but I borrowed them from the library. That may be a consideration for a student of foreign languages.
November 19, 2007
Pimsleur is by far the most effective Spanish learning system I have encountered.
The system is simple. They explain how to say something in spanish. Ask you a question in spanish about what they just explained. You answer in spanish. They repeat the correct answer. This goes on for hours and hours, each question building on the last.
The system is simple. They explain how to say something in spanish. Ask you a question in spanish about what they just explained. You answer in spanish. They repeat the correct answer. This goes on for hours and hours, each question building on the last.
November 18, 2011
The best investment in improving my language skills that I have ever made! I studied in high school, at university, and even completed a Spanish Diploma program with flying colours, but I couldn't speak or understand a word. I wish I had this program from the very beginning of my linguistic adventures. I believe what this program offers that others do not is a confidence-building environment.
I did have some confusion about what type of Spanish this is, however, as within the first few lessons you learn the word for the language you are speaking as "Castellano," which implies that you are learning the Spanish one would speak and hear in Spain. It's not! I went to Madrid, and it did my head in how very different Castellano is from the LATIN AMERICAN Spanish I had studied my entire life. They are as different as British and American English. It takes a little adjusting to get the hang of Castellano.
I did have some confusion about what type of Spanish this is, however, as within the first few lessons you learn the word for the language you are speaking as "Castellano," which implies that you are learning the Spanish one would speak and hear in Spain. It's not! I went to Madrid, and it did my head in how very different Castellano is from the LATIN AMERICAN Spanish I had studied my entire life. They are as different as British and American English. It takes a little adjusting to get the hang of Castellano.
February 16, 2014
I started this series of Audio CD's pretty unconvinced by the words being taught. It seemed very dated and I do believe it was produced in the 50's or 60's. Lots of "usted" instead of tú, encantado instead of mucho gusto when you meet someone. Castellano instead of Español...
But I stuck with it and I'm happy I did. Despite its flaws, I think this series is pretty strong in the way it introduces and teaches the basics of the language and it definitely helped solidify the lessons I was learning elsewhere.
I wouldn't use it as my primary learning method, but each lesson is about 25 minutes or so and I listen when I am doing other things - like taking a shower or doing the dishes. Can't hurt, and so helpful for pronunciation as well as auditory learning and understanding.
But I stuck with it and I'm happy I did. Despite its flaws, I think this series is pretty strong in the way it introduces and teaches the basics of the language and it definitely helped solidify the lessons I was learning elsewhere.
I wouldn't use it as my primary learning method, but each lesson is about 25 minutes or so and I listen when I am doing other things - like taking a shower or doing the dishes. Can't hurt, and so helpful for pronunciation as well as auditory learning and understanding.
January 12, 2015
While it took me multiple times to get each word, I eventually got to the last unit, and at least have enough Spanish to get by on my trip to Panama later this month. The hardest part for me was 19 and 20, and 12 and 13, which stumped me for the longest time. Otherwise a really good course.
October 9, 2020
Learning Spanish and the neighbors probably think that I'm crazy. Out on my walks I listen to Pimsleur Spanish and actually speak out loud not in my head! You're suppose to become comfortable with the material before moving on to the next lesson. I've found that I do a lesson on two different days at least before moving to the next lesson. DO NOT speed the audio up!
The repetition is really good for your memory. Listen then repeat out loud and then they say it again. Lots of time to think through your responses. Also they say it in english and ask you to say the same thing in Spanish. Then there are many times you respond to a question in Spanish. Much of it is building on conversations. It jumps back to previous sentences, lessons and words so that you retain the information.
Listen, speak and learn!
The repetition is really good for your memory. Listen then repeat out loud and then they say it again. Lots of time to think through your responses. Also they say it in english and ask you to say the same thing in Spanish. Then there are many times you respond to a question in Spanish. Much of it is building on conversations. It jumps back to previous sentences, lessons and words so that you retain the information.
Listen, speak and learn!
February 18, 2025
It's useful to hear the language and to repeat a lot of key phrases, but this set of lessons is mostly repeating and memorization instead of explanation. I am guessing that more explanations come later. But for instance, it has sentences with voy and vamos, then later started saying ir in sentences, but never explained that ir was the unconjugated form (or maybe I missed it because it was going a little fast). That said, because you can listen to it while doing simple chores, it's very convenient and is great to add to other learning methods. Also, I could borrow it from my library, which is another nice bonus. So I would recommend people add this to their learning plan, but I also think it's a little dated and there are a lot of other great learning options for languages available these days that might be more useful for some.
February 19, 2019
I didn't do a good job at all of keeping up with this but I do feel like I learned some basics. You should do each lesson on subsequent days. So you should do these lessons over the course of 5 days. It look me almost 2 years to complete the five lessons! But I went from basically zero knowledge of Spanish to a bit of knowledge of Spanish which is what I was going for.
November 20, 2024
It took until the fourth lesson to explain that this is European Spanish. Might be my bad, but this is the only one I could find out my library, and I wish I could’ve known this wasn’t letting American Spanish at the very beginning. I have always used Pimsleur before I traveland enjoy these programs. Just probably should’ve realized if it says comprehensive Spanish they are talking about Spain?
July 31, 2017
I can't compare this to other Spanish audio lessons because it's the only one I've used, but it worked for me. On to Level 2 now.
March 13, 2021
Had Spanish in college and it was difficult, and I could barely introduce myself. After 30 lessons I'm giving directions to my mother-in-law in spanish. It'll have you speaking faster than any book.
January 8, 2024
I gotta say, it really works
September 12, 2024
Extremely effective when done as suggested.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
November 17, 2024
Excellent review of basic Spanish.
November 17, 2011
Yehey! Ahora, puedo hablar Español como una niña. <- I suppose there's something awkward or spectacularly wrong with that sentence. Anyway, "Me gusta comer. Me gusta beber. Muchas gracias!"
Builds an instinct for sentence construction, grammar and conjugation without writing and reading. I suppose that's how we learned languages when we were children — something that Pimsleur uses to make learning easy-ish and not cumbersome. It's kind of awesome.
The program helps you with the most commonly used words for building sentences, but not this is not the kind of program to expand your vocabulary. (I had a trusty online dictionary to help me sort out vocab) Audio is slower than normal for the benefit of the novice.
Recommended for complete beginners (like me). This has been sitting in my house forever; ennui and spotty habit making are your enemies, as are everybody's. You'd need a study habit to finish these 30 minutes per day for 30 days programs.
Not very impressed with the last unit cramming the "tú" conjugation lessons. I suppose there's wisdom in that since basically, it's [ud conj + 's'].
Cumbersome to take it everyday; but fun. If you're a Filipino, you probably find Spanish relatively easy to take in. Borrowed vocab helps a lot.
Y mañana, unit II. Yo he aprendido mucho... quizás; necesito estudiar más. Quiero estudiar más con alguien. Estudio solo es muy difícil. haha <3
Builds an instinct for sentence construction, grammar and conjugation without writing and reading. I suppose that's how we learned languages when we were children — something that Pimsleur uses to make learning easy-ish and not cumbersome. It's kind of awesome.
The program helps you with the most commonly used words for building sentences, but not this is not the kind of program to expand your vocabulary. (I had a trusty online dictionary to help me sort out vocab) Audio is slower than normal for the benefit of the novice.
Recommended for complete beginners (like me). This has been sitting in my house forever; ennui and spotty habit making are your enemies, as are everybody's. You'd need a study habit to finish these 30 minutes per day for 30 days programs.
Not very impressed with the last unit cramming the "tú" conjugation lessons. I suppose there's wisdom in that since basically, it's [ud conj + 's'].
Cumbersome to take it everyday; but fun. If you're a Filipino, you probably find Spanish relatively easy to take in. Borrowed vocab helps a lot.
Y mañana, unit II. Yo he aprendido mucho... quizás; necesito estudiar más. Quiero estudiar más con alguien. Estudio solo es muy difícil. haha <3
January 31, 2014
The best way to learn a language. It is time consuming and takes a lot of time to learn, but Pimsleur really helps to cement a language into your head. Not only are you learning vocabulary, but you are learning how to formulate sentences on your own. My problem with courses that just teach you vocabulary or phrases, is that I never retain any of it. This gives a purpose to the words that you are learning. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning another language.
July 9, 2013
This is perfect to anyone beginning Spanish. The method is really great. The first level is supposed to get you to A1 level, fantasy word for the first level of being a beginner :D
The lessons are really well structured and the repetition is really good for your memory.
1 lesson a day and no pausing in one month you're good to go. Don't be as stupid as me.
Don't skip a day :)
The lessons are really well structured and the repetition is really good for your memory.
1 lesson a day and no pausing in one month you're good to go. Don't be as stupid as me.
Don't skip a day :)
November 25, 2015
Quite effective. I already speak portuguese and it helps a lot. I already did the first leve in Japanese, and although I think it was very good, it was no as much as Spanish. Despite the vocabulary is not that bit, the gist, the most important contrusctions and the feel of how to speak just stick. Started watching my Anime in Spanish after that and could understand a lot.
not-completed
January 19, 2009Just started the program. The Pimsleur Language Programs are supposed to be some of the best. The program uses anticipation and spaced vocabulary intervals to maximize retention.
Used an audible credit to get lessons I-V. I wonder if the library has the CDs?
Used an audible credit to get lessons I-V. I wonder if the library has the CDs?
December 5, 2008
I could not finish this audio book. It was too boring. I need a more visual method for learning languages. I need to see how things are spelled for one thing.
Want to read
October 16, 2010Gosh, I'm so optimistic! Or something.
December 23, 2014
I really like this method of learning Spanish. Better than Rosetta Stone. You listen and repeat. And listen and answer.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews