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Pimsleur Review

Sunday, February 9th

2025 Hebrew Lesson Reviews

Pimsleur Review 4 Star Rating

Pimsleur

4 Star Rating
  • Pricing from $19.95 to $20.95 per month or $164.95 per year
  • Listening approach
  • Preview content
  • 7-day free trial
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Can use both online and in the car
  • Mobile apps for Android
  • 4.4-star average user rating

With nearly five decades of experience, the Pimsleur Method, pioneered by Dr. Pimsleur, revolutionized self-taught language instruction. The program began with Modern Greek and has expanded to over 50 languages, including Hebrew. Pimsleur has gained recognition for its emphasis on learning through listening. Initially employing cassettes and CDs, the method has evolved into an online subscription, allowing learners to access content conveniently and flexibly.

Free lesson to preview

To get started learning Hebrew on Pimsleur, you can start with the complimentary Hebrew Level 1 lesson. This hands-on introduction gives you a glimpse into Pimsleur's unique approach, with each lesson centered on 30-minute conversations. Creating an account requires only an email address and password, and on top of the free lesson, you can access a 7-day free trial with the option to upgrade to a subscription.

Share your account with your family

One feature we loved is that Pimsleur accommodates multiple learners within the same household, allowing up to four students to share a subscription across unlimited devices. This flexibility extends to a Driving Mode, where you can practice your Hebrew while commuting. While Pimsleur lacks speech recognition tools and a game-based approach, it is an appealing option for those who appreciate learning through audio methods.

Best Hebrew Lessons

Monthly and annual prices

There are three ways to subscribe to Pimsleur. The first is the one-language plan. If you just want to learn Hebrew, the cost is $19.95 per month. Now, if you're interested in Pimsleur's full catalog of languages, you can get access to all of them for $20.95 per month. Considering there is only a $1 difference between the single language and full access plans, it may make more sense for most to go with the full subscription. Finally, if you want to commit to a full year in advance, you can get access to all languages for $131.96 for the first year and $164.95 per year for every year after.

Progress through listening methods

The Pimsleur method breaks down learning into syllables and words, guiding learners through mastering sentences and dialogues. With 30-minute conversations as the basis of the learning system, you can easily progress in your Hebrew on the go. However, with limited access to other kinds of learning methods like written exercises, speaking exercises, or puzzles, this may not be ideal for those who don't succeed in languages just by listening (or who need to be able to read and write in Hebrew, not just speak and understand it).

30-day money-back guarantee

Pimsleur is confident in its effectiveness, so the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you purchase directly from Pimsleur or through their customer service call center, and you are not satisfied, you can return the product within 30 days. Be aware that it notes that if your subscription comes with a 7-day free trial, you may not be eligible for a refund, so you may want to double-check that before subscribing.

Best Hebrew Lessons

Solid reputation among language bloggers

In general, Pimsleur has a solid reputation. With most language learning blogs and review sites rating the company around 4.4 stars, the general consensus is that the program is effective, and its 50+ years in the industry offer understandable expertise. Pimsleur offers a mobile app, and we found a similar rating average on the Google Play store. Customers love how effective the lessons are. While some customers complained about issues with the voice reader, most were very happy with their progression through Pimsleur.

Solid service for listening lessons

As a trusted and dependable option, Pimsleur offers an alternative for individuals who enjoy learning Hebrew without textbooks or formal grammar lessons. While it may not include the advanced features found in other platforms, the method's success over the years is praised by bloggers and professional linguists. Pimsleur's free sample provides ample information for learners to determine if this approach aligns with their preferences for mastering Hebrew. However, if you're looking for something beyond listening lessons, Pimsleur won't be ideal for you. For this reason, it gets a strong rating overall, but it doesn't rate higher due to some of those missing methodology features.

Where Can You Find the Best Hebrew Lessons?

Suppose you find yourself contemplating a relocation to Israel, or maybe just a trip to visit the Holy Land. Maybe you'd like to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school. No matter what your reason is, finding affordable Hebrew lessons that fit into your daily routine can be a hassle.

There are many reasons why online Hebrew lessons have surged in popularity. For most people, securing in-person lessons isn't a viable option. Whether it's too expensive or takes too much time driving from lesson to lesson, in-person learning can be a huge roadblock to moving forward with your language learning goals, particularly if you're not located in a Hebrew-speaking area.

The Best Hebrew Lessons Compare Hebrew Lessons Compare Hebrew Lesson Reviews What are the best Hebrew Lessons Best Hebrew Lesson Reviews

Hebrew Lesson FAQ

About nine million people around the world speak Hebrew, with five million using it as their native language. Also, many Jewish children outside of Israel attend Hebrew school two days a week from kindergarten through 10th grade, both to learn the language and deepen their religious understanding.
There are typically three main categories of Hebrew: modern, ancient, and the Yiddish dialect (which is actually derived from High German and mixed with Hebrew, originating in Central Europe with the Ashkenazi Jewish community). Most online Hebrew courses focus on the modern language as used in Israel and by speakers in other parts of the world. However, if you're interested in Hebrew specifically for understanding ancient scripture (like the Bible) or for communicating with Hasidic and Haredi Jews in Yiddish, it might be worth it to look for lessons that focus on those purposes.
You'll probably find Hebrew more challenging than your average Spanish or French class. Hebrew uses a different alphabet, is written from right to left, and has no vowels! The State Department ranks Hebrew as a Category III language on a difficulty scale from I to IV; the only languages designated as harder to learn than Hebrew are Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. But, with the right language program combined with your hard work and patience, you can absolutely learn to speak, read and write in Hebrew.
Start by learning the 22-letter "aleph bet” - yes, the Hebrew alphabet! Remember that you'll be reading from right to left, too. From there, work on basic vocabulary and verbs; don't worry too much about the pronunciation, because most native speakers of Hebrew are very understanding towards language learners. And, like any other language study, you'll be successful if you give yourself plenty of opportunities to learn and practice - daily if possible.
If you live in a community with many Jewish people, you might be able to find Hebrew lessons. But, will they fit your schedule? Can you get into the class? Are the classes geared primarily towards children? And, you're out of luck if you don't live near a Jewish community or a university that offers Hebrew courses. Learning Hebrew online is not only the most convenient way for you to study, but it's probably the most affordable too.
You may need to change the settings on your computer if you want to be able to type in Hebrew. Search for the instructions specific to your operating system (i.e. Windows or Mac). Alternately, you can use an online Hebrew keyboard that doesn't require you to make any big changes to your computer's settings.
Not at all. You can get Hebrew lessons on a month-to-month plan for anywhere from $4 to $30 per month, depending on the complexity of the program you select. Other language programs give you a one-time download or access to books and CDs that are yours to keep; you'll pay between $10 and $200 for these Hebrew lessons. Whichever format you choose, you'll spend much less than you would if you paid for per-credit-hour Hebrew coursework at a university.
It depends. Some providers offer a satisfaction guarantee that gives you a refund up to a certain timeframe, usually 30-60 days. Others may allow you to cancel your subscription at any time, but without giving you money back on your previous months' payments. It's a good idea to take advantage of any free trials or sample lessons offered for the Hebrew lessons you're considering; you'll get a feel for how the program approaches teaching and whether it's a good match for your learning style.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Luckily, the digital world of online learning opens up tons of possibilities that didn't exist before. Whether your Hebrew learning style tends towards auditory experiences, written practice, or speaking exercises, different Hebrew lesson programs place a deliberate emphasis on learning styles that fit your needs.

You can immerse yourself in audio files, encompassing syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for the purpose of repetition. Or if you're a visual learner, opt for a Hebrew language platform that ingeniously gamifies the entire learning trajectory. This includes not only grammar intricacies and writing exercises but also incorporates speech recognition software to facilitate a side-by-side comparison of your pronunciation with that of a native speaker.

Furthermore, virtually all online Hebrew lessons exhibit a commitment to infusing cultural and historical dimensions into your study sessions. Given the profound historical backdrop and symbolic significance of Hebrew, a nuanced understanding of the language often necessitates delving into its historical roots and comprehending its contemporary contextual applications.

You can also expect many modern options to use more conversational Hebrew like you would find if you talked to a native speaker in Israel. This way, you're not stuck with archaic grammar exercises or phrases that feel out of touch with modern language.

As you navigate the wide array of online Hebrew lessons, it might seem a little overwhelming at first. We've put together some helpful criteria to make sure you find the best fit:

  • Teaching methodology. What kind of learner are you? Do you prefer learning by listening? Maybe podcasts or narration are ideal for you? Do you prefer writing or gamified exercises to keep you engaged? While many Hebrew lessons incorporate all (or at least multiple) learning modalities, other platforms place heavy emphasis on one style or another. Keep in mind how you learn best to make sure you pick the right platform for your Hebrew studies.
  • Free trial option. The best Hebrew lessons let you test out the program before you pay. Keep an eye out for free trials, and how long they are, and be extra cautious if a company doesn't offer one. Language learning is a very personal thing, so you'll want to make sure the platform's lesson materials work for you in practice and not just in theory.
  • Cost vs. value. While the subscription price (or one-time fee) can be a huge part of your decision-making, you may want to check out the value for your money too. How many lessons will you get for what you spend? Does the program cover the difficulty levels you need? How many features does the service offer?
  • Reputation. While many Hebrew lesson providers aren't listed by the Better Business Bureau, there are tons of reviews on third-party sites and mobile apps to consider. Make sure that other students like you are succeeding with the platform of your choice.

To make your Hebrew learning journey the best it can be, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best options for taking Hebrew lessons available online today. We hope this helps you reach your ideal level of fluency whether you're learning for travel, for culture, or for fun. Hebrew is now in your reach with the right learning platform for you!

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