Dr. Paul Pimsleur(19281976) was one of the world's experts in applied linguistics. He taught French phonetics and phonemics at University of California, Los Angeles after obtaining his Ph.D. in French from Columbia University.
His research was focused into understanding the language acquisition process, especially the organic learning of children that speak a language without knowing its formal structure. For this, he studied the learning process of groups made of children, adults, and multilingual adults. The result of this research was the Pimsleur language learning system.
The Pimsleur language learning system (PLLS) is a language acquisition method developed by Dr. Paul Pimsleur and based on four main principles:
- Anticipation
- Graduated interval recall
- Organic learning
- Learning like a child
Dr. Pimsleur's breakthrough audio programs use a natural mode of interactive communication questions and answers; statement and rejoinder; give and take beginning with the most frequently utilized vocabulary native speakers use in their every day conversations with each other. These are the most useful words and structures every language learner needs to insure communication. |