I am currently working on the Pimsleur Italian CDs. I am on lesson 6 of Italian II and I find them to be really good.

But I have a major rant. Why don't they offer some sort of written transcription of the lessons? I understand the whole theory, but to help in the memorization process, I wish they let you see exactly what you are hearing! It drives me batty. I think I am nearly to the point where I may go back to say the middle of Italian I and try to transcribe them myself (which will take hours for sure because I will undoubtedly have to look up the spelling of most of the Italian words not to mention all the English words). I am so frustrated.

Anyway, that's my rant for the day.

Sally

I am 48 years old and always did well in school. It took listening to Pimsleur (and other foreign language CDs) in the car this year for me to realize that I am a visual learner. I need to see the words!!! When I was listening to the Italian CDs, I would find myself trying to visualize the words to remember them (of course, I didn't know how to spell them, so my mental images were faulty.) I can totally relate to your frustrations.

My husband and I are the same...we need to see the words in order to implant them.

The tapes/CDs are great for the car but the whole system would be so much more valuable with a visual guide. The pronunciation key that comes in the small booklet isn't terribly helpful, IMO. I've asked about the recorded language courses before, however, and as they go I think Pimsleur is the best of the bunch.

I'm actually taking Italian 1 at the Boston Language Institute with a friend from this forum. I recommend it highly if you are in the Boston area. The textbook which accompanies the course is called Prego. I bought it on Amazon. It is a very well put together text. If I did not have the time or access to a school to take a full course I would purchase this book to act as a visual aid and to explain verb tenses, possessive pronouns, definite and indefinit articles yada, yada, yada. That stuff is nearly impossible for me to fathom with audio tapes alone. It is not a cheap text, but it is worth it, IMO.

It is a good idea not to show the written word. People tend to read written words as they see them in their own language. Perhaps less so in Italian, but I see it all the time in French, where the vowel sounds are mangled because the two languages pronounce them differently and the reader reverts to his language.

However...when one simply cannot understand what is being said, reading comes in handy.

I liked the Pimsleur French CDs, and would go with the method before a foreign language trip. Even though I have studied French and can read it a lot, Pimsleur helped me with the initial mini-panic I sometimes feel when spoken to and response is expected.

And then the person understands as long as s/he sees the word. Ask for directions in the street, and the answer will be incomprehensible. It is better to have the patience of hearing over and over again until it sinks in. I have not seen the CDs, but I imagine that any snetence is given in a visual context that allows the viewer to eventually get the gist of what is being said. If that is not the case, then hearing the words may well be a waste of time.

The thing is, everyone learns differently. There is a theory that we all learn at different levels of visual (seeing), audial (hearing), and kinesthetic (doing). The tapes are geared towards hearing, but some people are much more visual or kinesthetic. For instance, I can learn all three ways, but I am a much stronger visual learner. I picture the words in my head as I spell them (with Times font, no less) and I draw maps rather than give directions, etc.

I have a friend who was tested almost 100% kinesthetic. She was having a lot of problems in college (and had them in school earlier) and they thought she had a learning disability. After they figured this out, though, she did great. She's an engineer now

Thanks everyone! I am glad others share my frustration.

I really like the program, but yes there are times when I cannot figure out for the life of me what they are saying. And then it takes me like 15 of surfing on the internet to find the word. Ughhh! I just don't know why they don't sell a transcript.

I totally understand the importance of hearing it and learning it that way....but for reviewing purposes it would be so helpful. I listen to a lesson maybe 4 times before I move on and I mainly (only) listen while on the elliptical at the gym so I move slowly. I wish there was a way to review. Thanks for making me feel better!

Sally

I agree. I've been using the Spanish CDs for years and wish they had a written transcript as well. Sometimes when I'm really confused about what's going on, I use my translater and write down the word and keep notes in a spiral notebook. I also use other sources (Spanish for Dummies for one) and take classes. But really, I think what I really need is to live in Spain for at least 6 months !

I'm a visual learner too, which is why I quickly decided (after checking it out from the library) that Pimsleur is not for me. I need to know what the word looks like to know what it sounds like; I can then also better relate the word(s) to words I know in English or French.

Sorry and I'm not trying to be "wise" or anything, but could the reason be that their CD/Tapes are expected to be used by and marketed primarily to commuters (drivers).

Some of the drivers out there would be trying to reference the transcripts while driving. They have enough to do with eating and talking on the cell phone. No need for another distraction with a printed text of their language course.

MvK

Mark,
I NEVER use the tapes when driving. I have enough trouble driving without them, but maybe that (and being on cell phones) explains some of the reckless drivers out there!

I realize that this is not a European language...but I'm using the Pimsleur course for Mandarin.
I tried to take Mandarin classes but I was unable to master the pronunciation. It is hard when you are in a class with other students and pronouncing words together. I needed the repetition I get from the Pimsleur tapes and I can turn the volume up LOUD when I cannot master a certain word. I am learning much more than I did in class, although like SRS, I do listen to the lessons a few times before I move on.
I like that I can progress at my own pace. And Yes, I have a long commute so I don't have to take more time out of my schedule.

I went through the three French levels before a trip to Paris. When I didn't "get" a word I would look it up on an internet translator, but mostly went with the program as intended. I was four days in Paris before someone replied in English to me when I addressed them in French. Also had many compliments on my language skills.

Now, I'm into Italian, I do find some French slipping into my responses.

As someone earlier mentioned, it's the ability to reply, to not get too stuck that is useful.

I drive to work with the tape for about half the time and then finish it up in the parking lot. I've found the Italian has better slow pronunciations when words are introduced.

I'm a huge Pimsleur fan, but I agree--I would have preferred a written transcript, especially for review, but also in the (relatively rare) cases where I couldn't make out the words. (I was doing the Spanish tapes--my main problems were the "r" sounds.) I dealt with the problem by getting a dictionary and looking up the (English) words (um, not while driving). Sometimes I'd write up lists to help me memorize the trickier words or phrases. I also bought a small grammar book. But a basically I just went through the tapes during my commute. I ended up with very good pronunciation and comprehension (even though I had to adjust the pronunciation for Spain--not a problem). I was able to navigate very comfortably during our Spanish trip, even though my overall knowledge was much less than my knowledge of French--where I have a good vocabulary but bad pronunciation and, by extension, difficulty comprehending. To fix that, I'm now working on the French tapes.
By the way, someone has transcribed the Spanish tapes and he will sell you the transcription. I found his name through the Amazon website, I think. The only problem is that it's an earlier version of the tapes, so the transcription isn't exact.

Carolyn, That is great that someone does transcriptions of the Spanish version. I wish someone would do it for Italian! I looked a little but didn't find anything. Really Pimsleur should do this themselves and then make money off it, but they clearly don't want my opinion!

The main problem with the audio only language programs is that the learner does not develop the ability to read signs and instructions in the language when these are encountered. I often needed to understand written instructions or directions. I find travel to be much easier and more comfortable when I can understand the written signs around me as well as understanding when someone speaks to me.

Most people find that an all around approach is best for getting a new language “stuck” in the mind. Seeing, hearing, repeating all work together, no matter what your learning style is, a combined approach enhances your chances of retaining the new information.

The most important thing about using any system is to do it regularly and really study. That means read it, listen to it, and REPEAT OUT LOUD on a daily basis. The problem that most people have is that they study silently so when they do actually say the words they have a problem because the sounds are so unfamiliar to their tongue.

I have tried the Pimsleur method, but I found the audio only to be very limiting. I needed to see the conjugations of the verbs to be able to fully understand them since the subtle differences in pronunciation can be confusing. In French so many words sound so similar that it gets confusing, even the French have said that to me.

I much prefer and have used most successfully the Living Language Immersion series to make it possible for me to progress quickly.

Some will say you have actually "learned" a foreign language when you start THINKING in it.

I just hope you will not allow yourself to be discouraged, despite your best intentions and your hard work, when you get to Italy, someone finds out you speak English, and absolutely insists on practicing their conversational English with you.