| While the Rosetta Stone Japanese learning | | | | technique, called this type of interactive learning |
| system is the largest selling language software | | | | an "input/output" versus a passive learning |
| program, the Pimsleur language system is one of | | | | technique. While they don't exactly like to give Dr. |
| the longest selling systems. Pimsleur and Rosetta | | | | Pimsleur credit for it, most if not all modern |
| Stone share some common elements, but Pimleur | | | | language learning programs also employ this |
| also includes elements that appear to be at least | | | | technique. |
| theoretically opposed to their competitor's | | | | Another one of Dr. Pimsleur's contributions to |
| system. | | | | language teaching is called "graduated recall." When |
| Both Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone take a scientific | | | | we learn a new word for the first time, we will |
| approach to teaching foreign languages. They are | | | | only remember it for a minute or two, no matter |
| both based on well-tested linguistic and | | | | how many times it is repeated to us. If the word |
| psychological learning models. In particular, they | | | | is repeated to us at graduated intervals, more |
| share the belief that languages are best learned | | | | frequently at first and then at longer intervals, we |
| from the ground up in the same way that children | | | | will memorize the word more quickly and retain it |
| learn their native language. Neither system wastes | | | | longer than if it is repeatedly "drummed into our |
| time with a lot of translation or grammar lessons. | | | | heads." |
| They both jump in and teach the student the | | | | The Pimsleur Japanese learning series of CD's will |
| spoken language. | | | | appeal to those learners who like a thoroughly |
| Where the Pimsleur method differs from the | | | | comprehensive audio teaching system that can |
| Rosetta Stone method is that while Rosetta | | | | quickly teach students how to speak and |
| Stone, theoretically at least, opposes the | | | | comprehend spoken Japanese. This method is |
| behaviorist (or behavioralist) approach to teaching, | | | | used by the CIA and the FBI - hence the Pimsleur |
| Pimsleur actively employs it and has historically | | | | slogan: "Learn like a spy! Pass for a native!" At |
| used it as part of their marketing strategy. Dr. | | | | $274 per 30 lesson (30 minutes per lesson) unit, |
| Paul Pimsleur introduced his language teaching | | | | the entire suite of lessons costs over $800, so it |
| technique over forty years ago, at the height of | | | | is for "true believers" only. It does come with a |
| behaviorism's popularity. | | | | money back guarantee, but you may want to try |
| At its most fundamental level, behaviorism takes | | | | their short starter kit first. At just under $20, it |
| a mechanistic view of human behavior. We are | | | | contains the first 8 lessons and is designed for |
| basically automatons who respond to stimuli and | | | | people who just want to understand some |
| lack any unique and meaningful human qualities. | | | | fundamental Japanese. |
| The strict behaviorist believes, for example, that | | | | If you are interested in learning to read and write |
| free will is an illusion. | | | | Japanese, you will have to look elsewhere. The |
| While a more humanistic approach to both learning | | | | Pimsleur Japanese learning system is entirely |
| and psychology has been adopted in more recent | | | | devoted to conversational Japanese. While the |
| years, nobody denies the effectiveness of many | | | | approach may be considered limited, Dr. Pimsleur |
| behaviorist-based models, including Dr. Pimsleur's. | | | | believed that a language can be more thoroughly |
| Two of the Pimsleur system's techniques for | | | | grasped if it is learned in this way, just as children |
| memorization and retention are particularly | | | | master their spoken language long before they |
| noteworthy. | | | | learn their alphabet. |
| The first of these methods is derived from the | | | | Teaching students to quickly speak and |
| "Principle of Anticipation." What this means is that | | | | comprehend conversational Japanese is where |
| the learner must anticipate the answer to a | | | | Pimsleur excels. While it may not appeal to all, it is |
| question rather than have the answer given to | | | | a very effective system and has been used by |
| them time and time again until it "sticks." Dr. Paul | | | | businesses and government agencies for decades |
| Pimsleur, creator of the Pimsleur language learning | | | | simply because it does its job so well. |