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Afrikaans, a West Germanic language spoken mainly in South Africa and Namibia, is classified by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI) as a category 1 language. Its many similarities to its parent language, Dutch, and English (another West Germanic language) make Afrikaans one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
Does that mean learning Afrikaans is a piece of cake? I wish! But that’s hardly the case.
Learning a new language is always challenging. It can be especially hard to improve your conversational skills if you’re not in an Afrikaans-speaking community and you have no one to converse with.
I’d suggest using an audio-based app like Pimsleur but unfortunately, there’s no Pimsleur Afrikaans course yet. Nor is it available on Babbel or Rosetta Stone.
There are several alternatives to Pimsleur though, so you don’t have to postpone your learning!
What is Pimsleur?
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program created by linguist and professor Paul Pimsleur in the early 1960s. One of the oldest methods for learning languages, Pimsleur is known for its version of spaced repetition system (SRS) called graduated interval recall.
The way it works is amazing in both its simplicity and effectiveness: a word or phrase is taught repeatedly, with a larger gap each time. You hear the word or phrase again just before you forget it. With each growing interval, it sticks in your memory longer.
The well-timed intervals and repetitions are among the best things about Pimsleur. But make no mistake, it’s got plenty of excellent features, which I broke down in this detailed Pimsleur review.
The Pimsleur app breaks down lessons into 30-minute audio sessions. Some languages also come with interactive features such as flashcards and various games that help learners be more conversational.
Pimsleur has courses for over 50 languages. Shame though, as it still doesn’t cover languages such as Latin, Bulgarian, and Afrikaans.
The best Pimsleur alternatives
The great news is, you can still master this language even though there’s no Afrikaans on Pimsleur. You can check out our list of apps to learn Afrikaans but if you prefer a shortcut, simply start with any of these three apps!
1. Mondly
If you’re completely new to Afrikaans, Mondly is a great jump-off point. But aside from its beginner-friendly, bite-sized lessons, it also makes for a great refresher course for intermediate and advanced learners.
Like Pimsleur, Mondly teaches words and key phrases with audio recordings of native speakers. The lessons also come in “conversation” mode, allowing you to practice with a chatbot. These features help you improve your pronunciation and conversational skill.
Mondly also has a hands-free option that lets you respond in conversation and record your speech — a feature that isn’t found on Pimsleur.
You can get quick daily lessons on Mondly for free but it’s worth signing up for the Premium version to access unlimited content. Check out the latest offer here!
Key features:
- Bite-sized and engaging lessons that improve core skills
- Learn relevant vocabulary and grammar in context
- High-quality audio featuring native speakers
2. uTalk
uTalk is a refreshingly straightforward app that ditches complex grammar lessons in favor of pure, practical vocabulary. Its gamified lessons naturally ramps up in difficulty as you master new terms.
The content is surprisingly deep, featuring over 2,500 words and phrases spread across 60 everyday topics—ranging from basic “First Words” to niche subjects like technology and skiing. Every single item is recorded by native male and female speakers, so you’re hearing the authentic rhythm of the language.
Check out our detailed review here for more deets. Better yet, try it yourself!
Key features:
- Game-based learning
- High-quality recordings from both male and female native speakers
- Massive library for vocabulary building
3. Talkpal
If you’ve ever wished you could just gossip with a robot to learn a language, Talkpal is about as close as it gets. This GPT-powered AI tutor turns Afrikaans practice into a series of immersive, back-and-forth conversations that feel surprisingly human.
Unlike traditional apps that follow a rigid script, Talkpal gives you real-time feedback on your grammar and pronunciation while you chat. Plus, it’s designed to sharpen your reading, listening, and speaking skills through a variety of interactive modes.
You can dive into “Roleplays” to navigate real-world scenarios, tackle “Character Mode” to talk to historical figures, or use “Debate Mode” to sharpen your persuasion skills.
Key features:
- AI-powered immersion
- Instant corrections on your sentences and phrasing
- Active speaking practice
Other great resources to learn Afrikaans
Mondly, uTalk, and Talkpal are great whether you’re just starting on your Afrikaans journey or looking to review what you’ve learned in the past. For holistic learning though, you can explore additional resources.
Here are some of my favorites:
Preply: When you sign up with an Afrikaans tutor on Preply, you’ll also be receiving personalized coaching on vocab, grammar, and lots of conversation practice from a native speaker! And no need to commit to a tutor right away — you can book discounted trial lessons first.
italki: For more tutor options, check out Italki, a platform that lets you connect with professional Afrikaans teachers and community tutors. Both structured lessons and customized ones are available at flexible rates and schedules.
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Colloquial Afrikaans: The Complete Course for Beginners: This comprehensive book covers the essential skills you need for listening, speaking, reading, and writing Afrikaans. Filled with dialogues and exercises, this well-structured and jargon-free book is perfect for both self-learning and classroom use.
17 Minute Languages: Forget the long study sessions. This course uses a clever long-term memory method to help you master Afrikaans vocabulary in just 17 minutes a day. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and focuses on the most essential words to get you speaking quickly.
Complete Afrikaans by Teach Yourself: Ideal for beginners transitioning to the intermediate level, this coursebook has thematic units focused on everyday situations. You’ll learn useful vocabulary, easy-to-follow grammar concepts, and pronunciation tips.
Cudoo: Whether you’re a total novice or are already familiar with a few phrases, Cudoo’s Afrikaans courses will prove useful. Available in three levels and a Business course, these courses help with vocabulary learning, developing conversational skills, and mastering pronunciation.
Clozemaster: If you’re way past the beginner level and want to achieve advanced levels faster, Clozemaster’s gamified (read: competitive) approach is for you. Play your way through fill-in-the-blank exercises based only on context. This is one of the best ways to rapidly expand your vocabulary.
Simply Learn Afrikaans: Traveling to an Afrikaans-speaking country soon? With over 1,000 phrases in 30+ categories, this is a great app for learners and travelers alike. Play high-quality recordings of native speakers to boost your listening and speaking skills.
AfrikaansPod101: With AfrikaansPod101, you can listen to the dialogues and follow along with the transcripts. You can slow down the audio, record yourself speaking, and use interactive features like flashcards, word lists, and test yourself.
Afrikaans audiobooks: Innovative Languages, the team behind AfrikaansPod101, has a few audiobooks that are perfect for learning on the go… or while sleeping! Learn Afrikaans – Level 1 consists of 25 introductory lessons for a solid foundation. For passive (and possibly relaxing) learning, check out Learn Afrikaans While Sleeping.
Conclusion
The absence of a Pimsleur Afrikaans course is no excuse to give up learning this beautiful language. The list above proves that you’ve got plenty of options!
Whether you start with an app, an Afrikaans learning book, or other resources, the important first step is showing up. Commit to a learning schedule and you’ll soon find yourself mastering Afrikaans!
Pimsleur alternatives for learning Afrikaans – Pin it!
