viii languages learn to hear best with their ears, not their eyes. His system enables the student to learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation in a natural, exciting way. This course is designed to teach you to understand and to speak the essential elements of your new language in a short time. During each half-hour lesson, you will actually be conversing with two people, using the type of language spoken by educated citizens in their everyday business and social life. The program’s unique method for presenting dialogue relieves you of most common learning problems. You will not have to memorize vocabulary lists or learn grammar rules, and there will be no written homework. Instead, an experienced American teacher will be your instructor on the tape, guiding you along in English. He will help you with pronunciation, provide simple explanations of how the language works, review previously-introduced material, refresh your memory when you may have forgotten a word, and gradually introduce you to the written language. In effect, he is your own private tutor. By following the directions of your tutor, and by joining in on the simulated conversations that are typical of those you’d encounter in situation, you will soon learn to speak, understand, read, and think in your new language. Every- thing you need is on the tapes and in this manual—all you need do is relax and follow the instructions of your tutor. How to Use the Tapes To get the full benefit of each lesson, try to create the best learning conditions. Choose a quiet room and a time when you can practice without interruption. If possible, choose a time of day when your mind is most alert, your body least fatigued. Another excellent place of study is your car. Just put a cassette in your cassette player and listen to the program while you are commuting or travelling. Each lesson is approximately 30 minutes long. Dr. Pimsleur’s research shows that this is the optimum length for learning to occur — any longer and the brain loses its ability to retain new information. Try your best to work through one lesson each and every day. You may move on to the next lesson daily or you may repeat one you feel unsure about, but it is important that you familiarize yourself with the language on a daily basis.