Pimsleur vs MosaLingua
Overview
Pimsleur is one of the most established names in language learning with 5+ decades of experience behind it. The scientifically backed Pimsleur Method helps you absorb new vocabulary and phrases and commit them to memory efficiently and fast. There’s a big emphasis on learning by listening and repeating. Games, quizzes and speech recognition technology add variety to what is a very systematic approach to learning a new language.
MosaLingua is a language learning program offering courses based on the MosaLearning® method. This is scientifically proven to help with language learning and to commit new knowledge to long term memory. It has features such as 24/7 access to a virtual tutor that learns your needs and interests, and Hands-Free learning which make it possible to practice whenever and wherever suits you.
Pros
- Scientifically proven “Pimsleur Method” structured to help you learn fast and retain information
- Speech recognition technology with feedback to hone pronunciation
- Flexible learning across all devices, with hands free for on the go learning
- Easy to use with fun review activities including match quizzes, voice coach, and speed rounds
- Strong focus on core vocabulary and structures in practical, real-life conversations
- Uses MosaLearning®, a scientifically researched method that optimizes memory
- Comes with a lot of course content and incorporates all of the elements of language such as vocabulary, speaking, listening, grammar, reading
- MosaChat AI gives you 24/7 access to a personal language eTutor
- You can target your weaknesses and add materials to your flashcards to help you memorize that content
- Connects you to their active team of native speaking teachers
- Web and app based so you can learn on the go
- Lessons cover useful and relevant topics and content is regularly updated
Cons
- Basic subscription is audio only
- Core lessons can seem monotonous and repetitive
- No placement test
- Not ideal for teaching grammar and writing
- Only 9 languages available (though this isn’t a problem if the language you’re interested in is offered)
- Navigation is not as intuitive as I’d like it to be
Best for
Best for: Beginners and those with limited knowledge of a language who want to get talking straight away. Especially suited to those who learn by listening who enjoy a structured approach to their learning. Also great for people who want to brush up on basic “survival skills” -- those key phrases you’ll need on vacation or travelling.
Best for: Anyone who wants to learn a new language from scratch or wants to improve their existing skills. It’s great for those with busy schedules looking for a flexible, self-directed language learning resource packed with high-quality content.
Price
From $14.99 per month
From $4.99 per month
Number of users
n/a
12 million
Overall
Overall: A structured and efficient way to learn a new language that gets you speaking more intuitively and understanding quickly in a way that really sticks.
To providerOverall: The MosaLarning® system is backed by scientific research and the platform focuses on all the elements you need to master a language. The Hands-Free element and the massive library of content make it worth the investment for me. And, of course, the introduction of MosaChat AI gives you 24/7 access to real-time feedback from a personal ‘tutor’ that constantly adjusts to your level and learns about your needs and interests. As long as the language(s) you want to learn are offered by MosaLingua, I would recommend taking the 15 day free trial to see if it suits you.
To providerSupported languages
Albanian, Arabic (Eastern, Egyptian, Modern Standard), Armenian (Eastern and Western), Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari Persian, Dutch, Farsi Persian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean Lithuanian, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese (Brazillian and European), Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish (Latin American and Spain-Castilan), Swahili, Swedish, Swiss German, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, English (ESL)
Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and English
About
Pimsleur is named after American linguist, Dr Paul Pimsleur. After years of researching the most effective way to commit a new language to memory, Dr Pimsleur developed the Pimsleur method.
This method was first used by the Pimsleur company to produce reel to reel taped language courses which was then transferred to CD.
In the mid 2000s, Pimsleur began to offer digital learning courses before developing their app in 2018. You can also use Pimsleur on your lap or desktop.
There are now millions of users of Pimsleur products.
MosaLingua is a language learning platform founded in 2009.
Its team consists of language experts and teachers from 15 different countries. They’re available for email support and keep site content and learning tools up to date and relevant.
It offers lots of different options for language learning. But basically, languages are taught using a system based on 5 cognitive science and psychology concepts:
- Spaced Repetition System -- correctly spaced out review sessions to commit information to long-term memory
- Active Recall -- techniques that help you extract information easily from your memory, without assistance or a clue
- Metacognition -- Opportunities to reflect on your learning
- Pareto Principle – Focussing on the most frequently used words to make fast progress
- Learner Motivation and Psychology -- in-person support via email to personalize your learning method
Together, these 5 concepts form the MosaLearning® method (Motivating Optimized System for Adaptive Learning).
By joining MosaLingua, you will connect with over 12 million users and native speakers of your target language. You will also have access to constantly updated advice, resources and techniques from the Mosa team to help you learn and master foreign languages.
How it works
Pimsleur is a subscription service with a number of options to fit your budget and needs.
Each language contains a variety of levels ranging from 1 (beginner) to 5 (expert). Some languages only have 3 or 4. Each level contains 30 half hour lessons which should be taken daily.
Whatever language or level you’re on, Pimsleur teaches you using “The Pimsleur Method.” What is this? Well, Dr Paul Pimsleur’s years of research in the field of applied linguistics led him to conclude that effective language teaching course needed to combine the following key elements:
Graduated interval recall
Dr Pimsleur discovered that when words and phrases are presented at gradually increasing intervals, students’ memories improve each time. He then figured out the best spacing sequence to move new learning from short to long-term memory. This spaced repetition method is at the heart of all Pimsleur’s programs.
The principle of anticipation
Our brains are hard-wired to predict, or anticipate, correct responses. So, if you’re given a chance to predict an answer, it enters your memory even before the lesson presents it. If it’s correct and then reinforced, new connections are made in the brain.
Core Vocabulary
Learning a little at a time with a chance to internalize it speeds up the learning process. So, since you can communicate in any language with relatively few words and structures, Pimsleur focuses on this core. This, in turn, provides a framework to keep adding new words and phrases to.
Organic Learning
To help your brain pick up tone, rhythm and pronunciation, all new vocabulary and phrasing is introduced in a conversational context.
With all this in mind, Pimsleur lessons and review activities:
- Introduce you to core words and phrases at gradually decreasing intervals
Require you to participate by giving you time to recall and respond in a meaningful exchange
So though there is a strong focus on aural learning, you’re not listening passively. You are actively involved in what you’re listening to and required to respond, just as you would in real life situations.
There are several different ways to learn a language on MosaLingua. They are designed to suit different goals and learners of different levels. The levels are set according to the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR). These are:
- A1 - A2 beginners
- B1 - B2 Intermediate
- C1 - C2 Advanced
| Present level(s) | Aim | Best program | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1-C2 | Learn new vocabulary quickly and in authentic contexts | MosaLingua Premium subscription | All |
| A1-B1 | Improve your listening comprehension | MosaSeries subscription | French, German, Spanish, Italian |
| A2-B2 | Improve your spoken English | MosaSpeak English one off purchase | English |
| A2-B2 | Improve your spoken language skills | MosaSpeak one off purchase | French, German, Spanish, Italian |
| A1-B2 | Teach yourself a language quickly and efficiently, with helpful tips from polyglots | MosaTraining one off purchase | All |
Overall, MosaLingua works with a set of flashcards, dialogues, and audiobooks.
For this review I trialled MosaLingua Premium and used it to learn Spanish.
The Spanish course consists of 19 levels. Each with a set of flashcards, dialogues and audiobooks. The number of flashcards varies. For example, Level 0 (basic) has 25 flashcards, whereas Level 9 (medium) has 897!
Using the flashcards you exercise your auditory and visual memory while you record yourself repeating the word or phrase. There are no quizzes or exams for each level.
The MosaLearning® Method is used each time you start to learn a set of flashcards and you'll be alerted when you to stop to avoid memory saturation.
What a lesson is like
Level 1 lessons all begin with listening to a conversation. Pimsleur then deconstructs this conversation and teaches you to say the elements out loud.
To help make it easier for you to fully grasp new words, Pimsleur breaks them down syllable by syllable. Interestingly, it starts with the last syllable and works backwards when teaching a new word.
Words and phrases are spoken frequently and slowly. This means you’ll be able to fully grasp what to say and how to say it.
However, as the course progresses, the repetition speeds up; you’ll be surprised at how quickly you won't need the time or repetitions you did at first!
In Pimsleur German 1, I learned and increased my German vocabulary and conversation skills by:
Listening to dialogues
Repeating words and phrases aloud
Using the Voice coach voice recognition software to correct my pronunciation
Using flashcards to revise new vocabulary
Completing quick match quizzes and speed rounds
Reviewing learnt words or expressions until I was confident using them
During my week completing the course, I noticed a considerable improvement in both my pronunciation and understanding of German. In fact, I could sometimes predict the meanings of conversations even before Pimsleur began to break them down.
A typical Spanish lesson (and I assume other languages are the same) will start with some flashcards. It uses an approach based on visual, auditory, and written memory.
You first look at the flashcard which will have an image and accompanying audio with Spanish pronunciation.
Then, you have to record yourself repeating the word (you can record and repeat as many times as you need).
Once you have finalized your flashcards, MosaLingua generates learning statistics which give an idea of your learning speed.
You’re then invited to use the Dialogues and the Hands-Free section for practice.
There is a free section with a great selection of audiobooks, videos, and music in Spanish. These are divided according to your level and interests and some can only be unlocked once you have learned specific flashcards.
You can also navigate through the additional resources tab, which will guide you through an extensive variety of free newspapers, magazines, music, and cinema.
During my experience, I was able to practice the vocabulary I learned on the flashcards, my reading comprehension, and my pronunciation. After a week, I was able to track my progress, the number of flashcards that I had memorized, and new reading and listening material had been unlocked.
Who is it good for?
The Pimsleur method would suit anyone who’s:
- Looking to learn a new language from scratch
- Keen to start talking straight away and hold a conversation in 30 days
- Has some grasp of a language and wants to improve
- Learns best through a structured repetitive method
- Wants to improve their listening skills
- Wants to learn flexibly across all devices
The MosaLingua learning style would suit anyone who:
- Wants to learn a new language from scratch
- Has some grasp of a language and wants to improve
- Has a busy schedule and needs to fit lessons around their life
- Is looking for a flexible, self-directed language learning resource packed with high-quality content
- Wants a focus on developing conversational language
Features
- 50+ languages
- Hands free learning
- Speech recognition with feedback
- Review quizzes, flashcards and speed rounds
- Cultural differences reflected in course material
- Mobile and web based
- Gamification
- Science backed methodology
- MosaLearning® method based on scientific principles
- MosaLingua chat AI
- Flexible learning
- Hands-Free section
- Ability to connect to their team of native speaking teachers for advice and support
- Multiple curated resources
Is it worth it?
Yes, as long as you are clear about what Pimsleur is good for, and how it works.
You need to take on board that Pimsleur is highly structured and systematic, and that it’s this approach that makes it work. But it may not be to everyone’s taste.
Also, if you’re an analytical learner or a grammar nerd, Pimsleur is unlikely to suit your style.
But if you’re a beginner, or want to brush up your conversational skills for travel purposes, Pimsleur is definitely worth considering. Especially if you learn best by listening, don’t have time in your day to ‘sit and click’ and want to learn hands free and on the move.
The Pimsleur method cements new vocabulary and phrases into your memory in a way that helps you speak almost intuitively without thinking, and the Voice Coach (voice recognition and feedback system) develops great pronunciation.
Pimsluer’s emphasis on recall and repetition will have your conversational and listening skills up to a great standard in no time!
A seven day free trial will give you more than enough time to decide if the Pimsleur Method is right for you. If not, you just cancel within that time and no payment will be taken.
So what have you got to lose?
In a word: yes.
MosaLingua is best suited for independent learners that like to learn at their own pace.
The platform and its content are continuously updated and the MosaLarning® system is backed by scientific research and the platform focuses on all the elements you need to master a language.
The Hands-Free element and the massive library of content make it worth the investment for me. And, of course, the introduction of MosaChat AI gives you 24/7 access to real-time feedback from a personal ‘tutor’ that constantly adjusts to your level and learns about your needs and interests.
And as mentioned, since there is a 15 day free trial of MosaLingua, as well as a refund policy, you have little to lose by trying it out.
As long as the language(s) you want to learn are offered by MosaLingua, why not give it a go and see how far you can get? Just remember to stick with it, be disciplined, and keep in mind why you want to learn a language in the first place!