Pimsleur Language Programs

Pimsleur Language Programs is an American language learning company that develops and publishes courses based on the Pimsleur method.

History

Dr. Paul Pimsleur, a professor and expert in applied linguistics and a founding member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL),^[1] wrote the original 5 courses: Speak & Read Essential Greek (1963), Speak & Read Essential French (1964), Speak & Read Essential Spanish (1966), German Compact (1967), and Twi developed for the Peace Corps (1971). The programs were originally called “A Tapeway Program.”

Starting in 1969-70, having tried unsuccessfully to market the programs, Paul gave them to Charles A.S. and Beverly Heinle at The Center for Curriculum Development in Philadelphia. The courses were repackaged and marketed as “CCD/Tapeway Programs.” In 1974, Charles Heinle bought the rights to Pimsleur and set up Heinle & Heinle Enterprises. In 1980, Mr. Heinle opened the Cassette Learning Centers, a stand in the Harvard Coop, in Cambridge, MA. Prospective users were invited to sit down and experience “The Pimsleur Tape”. “The Pimsleur Tapes” were published by Heinle & Heinle Enterprises based in Concord, MA. (these dates are incorrect. I worked at this company in 1989 at the Harvard Coop and Charles had only been there a short while, not 9 years.)

In 1983 Charles Heinle introduced SyberVision Systems founder Steven DeVore to the Pimsleur Russian program. DeVore, who had used a similar method to learn Finnish, exclusively licensed the Pimsleur programs. DeVore sold the programs in SyberVision's catalogs that were placed in the backseat pockets of major international air carriers and also mailed to 3 million SyberVision customers every month. SyberVision also produced and successfully sold Pimsleur programs via an infomercial that featured Beverly Pimsleur. SyberVision marketed the Pimsleur programs until 1997 before the license was sold to Simon & Schuster.

In 1995, Simon & Schuster took on distribution to bookstores. Before Heinle & Heinle Enterprises sold Pimsleur to Simon & Schuster in 1997, they added 27 new languages to the Pimsleur catalog. Since the acquisition, Simon & Schuster Audio has added another 27 languages. Pimsleur’s catalog currently stands at 59 languages and over 200 courses. The courses are still produced in Concord, MA and are available as digital audio downloads, CDs, and select languages are now available in interactive software format.

In 2005, Digital editions of some languages were made available through various resellers.

In 2008, Pimsleur's first children's line, Speak Spanish with Dora & Diego, was released in coordination with Nickelodeon's Nick Jr.

In 2008, Playaway is licensed to distribute the entire Pimsleur line to the military on pre-loaded players.

In 2010, Pimsleur donated its Haitian Creole course for free to relief and charity workers after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

In 2010, Pimsleur partnered with the USO, The Boston Foundation and Playaway to produce Pashto and Dari courses for U.S. troops serving in and being deployed to Afghanistan. This course is available for free to all military personnel. Operation Speak Easy^[2] was funded by a Boston-area philanthropist and Pimsleur-enthusiast.^[3]

In 2010, Pimsleur Digital line was relaunched in DRM-free format and at a new low price.

In 2011, Pimsleur donated 8 hours of its Japanese course to support aid agencies and volunteers in the wake of the Tsunami disaster.^[4]

In 2012, Pimsleur released a new interactive software version of their Spanish, German, French, and Italian courses called Pimsleur Unlimited.^[5]

In 2013, Pimsleur celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new blog Pimsleur Speaks: On Language, Learning, and Culture.^[6]

In 2013, Pimsleur donated 15 lessons of its Tagalog course to support aid agencies and volunteers in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.^[7]

The Audio

The Pimsleur Language Program offers a simple and straightforward method that makes it easy for anybody to learn. The audio consists of up to 5 levels (depending on language) and within these levels there are 30 lessons that are about 30 minutes each. It just teaches you how to speak the language without learning how to read and write. You start by listening to a conversation and not only do you learn it you'll be able to take part in it yourself once you're done with the lesson. When you start learning the language it teaches you how to pronounce the words just like a resident of the country and it actually makes people who speak the language think that you are very fluent.

Corporate structure

Pimsleur Language Programs is owned by Simon & Schuster Audio, a division of Simon & Schuster, which is part of CBS Corporation.

Offices

• Corporate headquarters are in New York, New York.
• Editorial offices are in Concord, Massachusetts. All courses are developed, produced, and recorded at this location.

Available languages

Pimsleur Language Programs' courses are available in the following languages:^[8]

See also

• Language education

References

External links

• Official website