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In Bulgarian, there’s a saying that goes, “Който се учи, той ще сполучи.” In English, this translates to “He who studies will succeed.”
Can there be a more fitting proverb for studying Bulgarian, or any language for that matter?
Deciding to learn Bulgarian is a great choice. Bulgarian is native to Bulgaria and is spoken in many Balkan territories, and knowing this language will help you speak to about 10 million people.
But, after making that awesome decision, you’ve hit a stumbling block: there’s no Bulgarian on Pimsleur!
Don’t let this dissuade you though. There are great apps for learning Bulgarian, even ones that are audio-based like Pimsleur.
What is Pimsleur?
What’s Pimsleur anyway?
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program that’s been around since the early 1960s. Created by linguist and professor Paul Pimsleur, the Pimsleur method teaches essential vocabulary using a unique spaced repetition system (SRS) called graduated interval recall.
What this means is that a word or phrase is taught repeatedly, with a larger gap each time. With well-timed intervals, you’ll hear the word or phrase again just before you forget it. The timing and repetition allow better recall.
On the app, you get 30-minute audio lessons. Depending on the language and subscription, you may also have access to interactive features such as flashcards and various games that help learners be more conversational.
Pimsleur covers over 50 languages. But it doesn’t have courses for languages like Afrikaans, Latin, and Bulgarian.
I understand why the lack of a Pimsleur Bulgarian course can be disappointing; I’ve tried Pimsleur myself and loved it. But, as I said earlier, there’s no need to postpone your learning when you still have great resources within reach.
The best Pimsleur alternatives
Here’s some good news: you can learn Bulgarian with a myriad of apps and other resources. I recommend starting with these three:
1. Mondly
If you’re a complete newbie to Bulgarian, an interactive app like Mondly can help you ease into unfamiliar territory. With its bite-sized lessons, learning Bulgarian will feel more like playing and not at all like intense studying.
Mondly has a variety of exercises to expand your vocabulary — from matching images to words to filling in blanks in sentences. But like Pimsleur, it can also help improve your pronunciation.
First, Mondly uses audio recordings of native speakers, so you’ll hear the right pronunciation of words and phrases. It also has a hands-free mode which allows you to mimic the sounds you hear. Plus, its Chatbot trains your conversational skills.
Mondly has a free app but it’s worth signing up for the Premium version to access all Bulgarian content. Check out the latest offer here!
Key features:
- Short and engaging lessons that you can fit into your daily routine
- Essential vocabulary and some grammar
- High-quality audio with a hands-free mode
2. LingChat
Regular conversations with native speakers are the best for building fluency, but they are not always within reach or within budget. Enter LingChat, a clever alternative that solves this dilemma by using artificial intelligence to simulate an immersive language environment.
It features a diverse collection of AI characters tailored for all ages and skill levels, allowing you to practice Bulgarian or over 50 other languages 24/7 without any of the usual stage fright.
The app offers role-playing simulations for everyday situations like navigating an airport or ordering a meal. If you have a specific goal in mind, you can even create custom scenarios to perfectly tailor your practice. As you chat, the AI monitors your speech and text, providing real-time grammar corrections and instant speaking improvement suggestions.
Key features:
- A variety of adaptive AI characters to practice with
- Instant grammar feedback
- Smart SRS flashcards
3. Glossika
Another great Pimsleur alternative is Glossika. What’s great with this platform is that it focuses on sentences, meaning you’re not just memorizing random sets of words.
To get started with Glossika, you can choose between two training modes: the intensive one, which includes practicing reading, writing, listening, and speaking, or the listening-only mode which is ideal for learning on the go.
Whatever you choose, Glossika will expose you to carefully curated sentences to help you learn vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction, and the nuances of the language as naturally as possible. The course includes a total of 3,000 sentences and a variety of interesting topics.
Key features:
- Tons of Bulgarian sentences to learn from
- Hear native pronunciation and accents
- Option to listen hands-free
Other great resources to learn Bulgarian
Mondly, LingChat, and BulgarianPod101 will help you get closer to your Bulgarian learning goals. But if you want a more holistic and immersive learning experience, why not explore more resources?
Here are some of my favorites:
Preply: Learn from native speakers by signing up with a Bulgarian tutor! Not only will you learn Bulgarian vocabulary and grammar but also get lots of conversational practice and cultural insights. You can even get a free tutor replacement if the first one’s not a good fit.
Italki: For more tutor options, check out Italki, a platform that lets you connect with professional Bulgarian teachers and community tutors. Customized lessons are available at flexible rates and schedules — what’s not to like?
Colloquial Bulgarian: As its name suggests, this book will help you learn Bulgarian the way it’s written and spoken by the locals. Unlike traditional textbooks, this book teaches essential vocabulary and grammar using relevant samples and without jargon.
BulgarianPod101: This platform offers podcast-style lessons, new and archived audio and video lessons covering all levels, plus lesson notes, transcripts, and vocabulary lists. While many of its lessons are available for free and on its YouTube channel, it’s worth considering a paid subscription to access all content.
Complete Bulgarian: This Bulgarian learning book covers beginner to intermediate levels, with thematic units that’ll help you tackle everyday situations. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation skills at the B2 level.
Clozemaster: Suppose you’re way past the beginner level. I recommend expanding your Bulgarian knowledge with a more challenging app like Clozemaster. Here, you’ll learn plenty of words and phrases simply by filling in the gaps in sentences and stretching your comprehension.
Cudoo: With over 100 lessons catering to various skill levels, Cudoo’s Bulgarian courses are great whether you’re learning to travel or to advance your career. These CEFR-based courses can be taken at your own pace and on any device. You earn a certificate with every completed course.
Simply Learn Bulgarian: A great option for travelers and students alike, Simply Learn Bulgarian offers 1,000+ phrases in 32 categories. It also comes with high-quality audio recorded by a native speaker, as well as smart flashcards for review.
Bulgarian Language Academy: This YouTube channel has a wealth of lessons covering just about anything you might want to learn — street signs, verbs, punctuation, how to say happy birthday, how to cook Bulgarian dishes, and more!
Conclusion
No Bulgarian on Pimsleur? No worries! You can still learn this wonderful language through the apps and other resources that I listed above.
The important thing is perseverance. On days when you don’t feel like studying, remember Капка по капка, вир става which is the Bulgarian way of saying “Drop by drop turns into a pool.” Stay persistent, enjoy learning, and you’ll soon be rewarded!