Most Outlandish Claim (General discussion) Language Learning Forum

Most Outlandish Claim
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13 messages over 2 pages: 1 2 Next >>

leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6551 days ago
2365 posts - 3804 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

Message 1 of 13

13 March 2011 at 11:16pm | IP Logged

What's the most outlandish claim you've ever heard a language product make? Or how about a polyglot?
1 person has voted this message useful

jazzboy.bebop
Senior Member
Norway
norwegianthroughnove
Joined 5419 days ago
439 posts - 800 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Norwegian

Message 2 of 13

14 March 2011 at 12:01am | IP Logged

"Learn a Language in 10 Days with Pimsleur"

Cringe worthy.
6 persons have voted this message useful

leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6551 days ago
2365 posts - 3804 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

Message 3 of 13

14 March 2011 at 12:03am | IP Logged

pimsleurapproach.com wrote:

Use the Pimsleur Approach to speak a new language in only 10 days! Pimsleur
courses took over 40 years to develop and perfect. Just sit back and listen while the audio does the work for you.
Each CD has been scientifically sequenced to rapidly lock language material into your brain after just one listen.
You'll absorb your new language effortlessly without any reading, writing or computer use.

speak a new language in only 10 days - s/b speak a few sentences in 10 days
the audio does the work for you - thank goodness we don't have to think!
lock language material into your brain after just one listen - I waited last in line for brains, 'cause it takes me 2
listens
You'll absorb your new language effortlessly - thank goodness we don't have to think

1 person has voted this message useful

leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6551 days ago
2365 posts - 3804 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

Message 4 of 13

14 March 2011 at 12:10am | IP Logged

michelthomas.com wrote:

You are able to absorb the structures effortlessly and apply them naturally, right from the
start.

The brains I got are sorta rotten and insane, because I require effort.

michelthomas.com wrote:

His approach gives startling results within a remarkably short time, all without the
need for books, memorizing, or homework.

That's a pretty neat trick, learning a language without memorizing anything.
2 persons have voted this message useful

jazzboy.bebop
Senior Member
Norway
norwegianthroughnove
Joined 5419 days ago
439 posts - 800 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Norwegian

Message 5 of 13

14 March 2011 at 12:10am | IP Logged

leosmith wrote:

pimsleurapproach.com wrote:

Use the Pimsleur Approach to speak a new
language in only 10 days! Pimsleur
courses took over 40 years to develop and perfect. Just sit back and listen while the
audio does the work for you.
Each CD has been scientifically sequenced to rapidly lock language material into your
brain after just one listen.
You'll absorb your new language effortlessly without any reading, writing or computer
use.

speak a new language in only 10 days - s/b speak a few sentences in 10 days
the audio does the work for you - thank goodness we don't have to think!
lock language material into your brain after just one listen - I waited last in line
for brains, 'cause it takes me 2
listens
You'll absorb your new language effortlessly - thank goodness we don't have to think

Cost to learn how to ask for directions to the Colosseum using Pimsleur: $9.95.
The look on your face when you realise you can't understand the reply: Priceless.
15 persons have voted this message useful

leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6551 days ago
2365 posts - 3804 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

Message 6 of 13

14 March 2011 at 12:23am | IP Logged

an old post :

leosmith wrote:

In a previous thread, a member quoted a vender selling Pimsleur products. The quote
essentially stated that Pimsleur teaches 2500 words in its 90 lesson programs. I know this to be false, so I
assumed the vender had been taken in by Pimsleur's misleading advertising.

In the past, Pimsleur has stated that 2500 words are needed to reach everyday proficiency in a language. They
never called it fluency, or even the 95% vocab mark. They went on to talk more about their product, but never
made the specific claim that they teach 2500 words. In reality, the 90 programs teach 500 words.

This new vender claim annoyed me, because I felt they had crossed the line from misleading to lying. So I wrote
to the vender stating that I thought they had been misled. They were actually very polite and cooperative. They
ended up emailing Pimsleur support about it, and forwarded this reply to me:

__________________________
Dear Cristian,

Thank you very much for your e-mail. If you were to say complete all three levels of Spanish (I, II, and III) you will
then have the knowledge of over 2500 words. This is basically the amount of words you currently use in your
everyday life. Also, upon completion of each level, you will gain about 33% fluency in Spanish (or the language of
your choice). So after all three levels have been completed, you will be at about 99% fluency!
__________________________

In my opinion, this is a blatant lie. I'd like to convince Pimsleur to stop making these claims. Any suggestions?

1 person has voted this message useful

Cainntear
Pentaglot
Senior Member
Scotland
linguafrankly.blogsp
Joined 6012 days ago
4399 posts - 7687 votes

Speaks: Lowland Scots, English*, French, Spanish, Scottish Gaelic
Studies: Catalan, Italian, German, Irish, Welsh

Message 7 of 13

14 March 2011 at 1:08am | IP Logged

leosmith wrote:

michelthomas.com wrote:

His approach gives startling results within a remarkably short time, all without the
need for books, memorizing, or homework.

That's a pretty neat trick, learning a language without memorizing anything.

There's a subtle difference between "memorising" and "remembering".

The most outlandish claim I've heard is the magic pixie dust imbued in the work of Baroque composers that sets the brain into a mega learning mode or somesuch.
3 persons have voted this message useful

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