Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can learn a language with the Michel Thomas method. For example, in 1997 in a BBC documentary  by Nigel Levy, Michel taught French to a group of sixteen-year-olds who had been told they could never learn a language. He gave them the ability to use the new language far beyond their expectations – in just a week. Whatever your motivation for learning to speak a new language, the Michel Thomas courses quite offer the most effective method available.

These courses teach you the structure of the language and focus on speaking, listening and understanding. They do not correlate to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale but by the end of the Intermediate course you will have a good understanding of the language and you will have covered all verb forms in the language.

Once you purchase a Michel Thomas course, you are under no pressure to complete in a set period. You learn at a pace that feels comfortable. Many find that they gain confidence in speaking much more quickly than via conventional study. The Michel Thomas Method is based on understanding, not memorization, so there is no set limit to the length of time that you should study the course.

Michel Thomas was born Moniek Kroskof, the only son of a Jewish family who owned a textile factory in Poland in 1914. As a young boy, Michel was sent to live in Germany to escape the anti-Semitism directed at his family. Living in Vienna in 1938, when the Nazis annexed Austria, Michel was rendered stateless as a Jew.

He fled the country for France, and when the Germans invaded, he joined the French Resistance and adopted the name Michel Thomas. He spent two brutal years in French concentration and labour camps, narrowly avoiding being sent to Auschwitz. He escaped, surviving capture, interrogation by Klaus Barbie, and torture by the Gestapo. His mastery of languages enabled him to adopt many identities. At the end of the war, he masterminded operations to uncover war criminals and infiltrate underground Nazi groups.

In 1944, Michel was nominated for the Silver Star medal for his service to the US Army’s 45th Infantry Division in France. The award was finally presented to him in May 2004, sixty years later.

It was during Michel’s wartime experiences, particularly his torture by the Gestapo, that he became aware of the immense, largely untapped, power of the brain. By focusing all his strength on inventing a story plausible enough to satisfy his torturers, he discovered an ability to place his mind beyond the physical and to block out pain. He said, “I concentrated so hard, that I stopped feeling pain. I was amazed at myself.”

Fascinated by this experience, he was determined that after the war, he would devote himself to exploring how the brain worked and dedicated his life to education. “I contemplated the untapped reserves of the human mind. The great hidden depths of the brain. I learned from it.”

In 1947, he moved to Los Angeles and set up the Michel Thomas Language Centers, teaching languages for over fifty years in New York, Beverly Hills and London.

His extraordinary life and revolutionary teaching methods were documented in Nigel Levy’s film The Language Master, which brought Michel Thomas to a wider public in the UK and beyond for the first time.

There are a few books about the Michel Thomas, including Christopher Robbins’ Test of Courage (a biography) and Dr Jonathan Solity’s The Learning Revolution (a history of the man and his method). His extraordinary life and revolutionary teaching methods were documented in Nigel Levy’s film The Language Master, which brought Michel Thomas to a wider public in the UK and beyond for the first time.

You can find out if the method works for you by listening to a free twenty-minute taster of any course. You will find the free lesson available on the relevant language page on this website.

If you are a complete beginner, or you feel like you need to brush up on the basics, you should begin with the Foundation course. This is an eight-hour beginner course that will prepare you well for progression onto more advanced courses.

If you are not a beginner, and want to choose one of the more advanced courses, you can download any of the course booklets for free to get a sense of the key phrases being taught and determine where to begin.

The courses are designed to progress in this order (note not all levels are available for all languages):

1. 1. Foundation
2. 2. Foundation Plus
3. 4. Intermediate
4. 5. Vocabulary
5. 6. Fluent Conversation

The Michel Thomas courses teach everyday conversational language that will allow you to communicate in a wide variety of situations. You will gain the ability to create your own sentences and use the language naturally, having absorbed the vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Phase 1 courses

Foundation, Foundation Plus and Intermediate courses form the Phase 1 foundation for all your learning. These courses focus on teaching verbs and verb tenses, which form the structure of the language. While you will learn a large amount of useful vocabulary, it is limited so as not to overburden your learning.

Phase 2 courses

Vocabulary and Fluent Conversation, the Phase 2 courses, build on your foundation by increasing your vocabulary knowledge, and conversational fluency.

To get an overview of the course content please download the free booklets that accompany each of our courses on our website.

Foundation

Foundation is a beginner’s Phase 1 course that teaches the basic structure of the language. You will learn along with two students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. Within the first hour you will be able to construct simple sentences, and by the end of the course you will have the confidence to understand and speak the basics of the language you are learning.

This live course lasts between 8-10 hours, but you will learn at your own pace, pausing and repeating where necessary. This course also includes two hours of review audio, with only the phrases learnt (no explanations or repetition), which should be listened to after completing the course to check your learning.

Foundation Plus

Foundation Plus is a two-hour Phase 1 course for improving beginners, which takes the form of a one-to-one seminar. This course consolidates everything you’ve learned in the Foundation course. Or, if you’re new to Michel Thomas, it’s ideal for brushing up your language skills. This course will widen your vocabulary and teach authentic phrases and expressions, as well as providing a comprehensive grasp of the structure of the language, enabling you to communicate with confidence.

Intermediate

Intermediate is a Phase 1 course, taking the form of a 5-6 hour live lesson which expands upon what you have learnt in the Foundation and Foundation Plus courses. You will learn along with two students, hearing both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course.

As with the earlier levels, the Intermediate course breaks down the language into building blocks that are introduced sequentially so you can create more complex sentences, improve your conversation skills, and your grammar and vocabulary.

You will learn at your own pace, pausing and repeating where necessary. This course also includes one hour of review audio, which includes only the phrases learnt (with no explanations or repetition), which should be listened to after completing the course to check your learning.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is a Phase 2 course which adds key vocabulary to your foundation, with over 1000 new words and phrases. You will learn alongside two students, including speakers of the target language, so you can improve your pronunciation. The course includes 5 hours of live audio.

Fluent Conversation

Fluent Conversation is a 5-6 hour Phase 2 advanced intermediate course which follows on from the previous courses. This course includes real conversations on key topics, teacher and student lessons covering language structures, and sections specifically focusing on pronunciation. The focus on colloquial language, cultural insights, and conversation strategies used by speakers of the target language will enable you to communicate more naturally and incorporate contemporary language and culture into your repertoire.

Below you can see how the latest edition of each course relates to their previous iterations (arranged from latest edition –> earliest edition).

• Foundation** (latest edition) = Total = Foundation = Beginner’s
• Foundation Plus (latest edition) = Masterclass = Language Builder
• Intermediate (latest edition) = Perfect = Advanced
• Vocabulary (latest edition) = Vocabulary Builder = Vocabulary Course
• Fluent Conversation (latest edition) = Insider’s

If you are considering a purchase, we always recommend getting the latest edition.

The Michel Thomas courses are recorded in a classroom situation which takes the pressure away from you learning on your own. You enjoy the students’ success, and you learn from their mistakes. The students on the recordings are not reading from scripts and they have received no additional instruction or preparation – just the guidance you hear on the recording. You, as the learner, become the third student and participate actively in the class.

The courses are recorded live in a studio with two real students. Each language is learned in ‘real-time’ conditions. There is no need to stop for homework, additional exercises or vocabulary memorization. The emphasis is on giving yourself time to think out responses to the teacher’s prompts; by thinking things through, you will be embedding the language in your brain in the way that research has shown to be the most effective way of transferring information to your long-term memory.

As a publisher we only offer audio courses of the Michel Thomas Method, we do not offer personal tuition or training in the method.

Michel Thomas’ legacy was such that even after his death in 2005, customers wanted more Michel Thomas courses. There was also demand for new courses in major world languages. Hodder & Stoughton – publishers of Michel Thomas – responded with a careful vetting of talented authors/teachers who dedicated themselves to mastering his method and adapting it to produce courses that authentically reproduced his approach. Editors and authors scrupulously oversaw each and every draft and subsequent recording sessions and the results are a testimony to the man and his method.

The Michel Thomas courses are a brilliant supplement to formal language study, as they can help you gain confidence in speaking and listening skills. Our courses do not follow a set curriculum, so they are not suitable as the sole study aid for a GCSE or equivalent qualification. If you wish to take a formal exam in a language, we would advise you to purchase a course that follows the curriculum of that specific qualification.

The audio content is the same across all platforms, however each product has different features.

• The website allows you to stream the audio online and access the supporting booklet for any Michel Thomas course across all your devices. It also allows you to download content to the accompanying Michel Thomas Method Library app on iOS and android. This also allows you to alter the speed of the audio if you need to.

• The audio course is available on all audio book platforms; there is also an accompanying booklet containing key vocabulary for reference.

Purchasing one of these will not give you access to another; they are separate products and the content is not transferable between them.

Digital versions of our courses are available from our website. This means you will be able to stream your courses online via your web browser, or download the course to the accompanying Michel Thomas Method Library app on iOS or android.

Please note that we do not sell CDs via our website. If you would like to purchase the courses on CD you can do so via most book retailers in the UK and USA, or from the Book Depository for worldwide delivery.

Firstly, please check you created an account for this product. You can only create an account for this on our website www.michelthomas.com or via the android app. The iOS Michel Thomas Language Library app is login only.

If you did create an account as above, please double check you are using the same details as the account you created. It is also worth double checking that you didn’t accidentally sign up with an email address containing a typo. If you typed your email address in correctly you should have received a confirmation email.

If the app is still not recognising you but should be, or if you think you may have signed up with an incorrect email address, please write to us here. Be sure to give as much information about where you signed up, which app you are trying to access and what problem you are having in your message, as well as giving us the email address associated with your account. This will enable us to resolve the issue more quickly.

There may be a short delay between getting your order confirmation and the course appearing in your library. However, if it takes longer than a few minutes, please try deleting and reinstalling the app. You should then see all purchased courses under ‘All Books’, from there you will be able to download the courses to your device. They will then appear in the ‘Downloads’ tab.

If after reinstalling the app you are still unable to see the course please write to us here. Please ensure you provide as much information as you can about where you purchased the course, which app you are trying to access it through, your account details and what you have tried so far. This will help us get to the bottom of the issue more quickly. the issue more quickly.

Ensure you have enough storage and have a strong wifi connection to download your course(s). If you cannot download your course you may need to wait until you have better internet connection, or clear some space on your device.

The Michel Thomas Language Library app can be used on Apple and Android devices. Once you have created an account you will be able to log into it on your computer via your internet browser, or on any iOS, android or Windows smartphone and tablet.

The Michel Thomas Language Library app accompanies michelthomas.com. It allows users to download their website purchases, booklets or free lessons into the app for offline learning on the go. It is available on iOS here and android here. Purchases are not possible within this app.

Please go to this URL to enter your code: https://library.michelthomas.com/redeem.

Our terms for licensing of digital content can be found here.

No, you can only download the courses you have purchased into the accompanying Michel Thomas Method Library app on iOS or android. Alternatively you can stream the courses online.

Once you have created your account and purchased a course you will be able to access and stream it online via our website in the ‘My library’ area. You can also download the accompanying Michel Thomas Method Library app from the apple app store or the google play store. Once you have downloaded the app you will need to log in, then you will be able to see all of the courses you have purchased listed under the ‘All Books’ tab; this is where you can download courses to the app. Once they have been downloaded to the app they will also appear in the ‘Downloads’ tab in the app.

You can access content in your library online using most browsers (Chrome, Mozilla, Internet explorer, Microsoft edge, Safari, opera etc.) and the app is available on both iOS and android as below.

Android: Android KitKat to latest
iOS: version 10.0 and above

Usually, if you have purchased a different course by mistake the best thing to do is to request a refund (by contacting us using this form) and then purchase the correct course.

However, if the course you purchased by mistake is the same price as the one you want to change it for you can contact us here with proof of purchase and the email address associated with your account and we will be able to swap the courses for you.

Please note that you have 14 days to request a refund and you will not be able to return your course if you have already finished it.

Fill out this form and send to us within 14 days of us confirming your purchase and we will issue a refund within 14 days.

To purchase a course as a gift, select the product you would like to buy and upon check out, tick the ‘This is a gift’ box. Then enter the recipient’s name and email address, along with any message you would like to include. The recipient will then receive an email with details on how to access their course.

Every course has a free 20-minute lesson. Simply go to the language you want to learn, download the lesson and start learning today.

You must click on ‘unsubscribe’ which you will find in the footer of our marketing emails.

We’re sorry to see you go, but please follow these simple steps to delete your account:

1. Go to the settings icon in the top left of the home screen on the app
2. Select the ‘Account’ cog icon
3. Click on ‘Delete Account’

Please note that there is no way to restore your account once it’s been deleted, and all your progress will be lost; it will not be possible to regain access to your course at a future time.

We’re sorry to see you go, but please follow these simple steps to delete your account:

1. Ensure you are logged into your account on our website (select the ‘My Library’ button in the top right corner)
2. Select ‘Account’
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Delete my account’

Please note that there is no way to restore your account once it’s been deleted, and all your progress will be lost; it will not be possible to regain access to your course at a future time.

A Michel Thomas Method course purchased on the website can be accessed on the Michel Thomas Language Library app (on iOS and android), which accompanies the website, and allows you to download your course to listen to it offline. The courses on audio book platforms, CDs, as well as the Languages with Michel Thomas app are separate products, so courses bought via the Michel Thomas website cannot be transferred or accessed in these ways.

Firstly, please ensure you are looking at an official app, with Hachette UK (iOS) or Trellisys.net (android) listed as the developer.

The Michel Thomas Language Library on iOS and android is our official app which allows you to access content purchased online and download the content so you can listen on the move. It contains all languages and levels, and the supporting booklets. One account allows you to access the content online via your web browser or to download the content to the app on your iOS or android smartphone or tablet. You can find out more about the Michel Thomas Language Library here.

Note: Please be aware of pirate apps, such as:

These are not associated with Michel Thomas so any purchases made through these apps cannot be refunded.

If you encounter an app which you suspect to be a pirated version of our Michel Thomas apps please contact us here.

Unfortunately, there is no way to use courses purchased outside of the website (eg CD or audiobook platform), within the app. While the audio content is the same, they are different products with different features.

The original Michel Thomas languages (individual apps per language) iOS apps and the Languages with Michel Thomas app (with Mandala icon) the are no longer available on the app store due to technical reasons. However, we have another app, called the Michel Thomas Language Library, from which you can access your course(s) instead.

Due to App Store restrictions, we cannot migrate accounts across automatically, but with proof of purchase, we can send you a free code for the equivalent course(s) on our website (www.michelthomas.com), which will allow you to listen to the course and access the booklet PDF online via your browser or download the courses to the accompanying Michel Thomas Language Library app on iOS or android (blue icon with building blocks).

Please send your proof of purchase to this email, and we will take the necessary action accordingly.

We no longer produce CD courses, however the physical Michel Thomas courses (CDs) are still available from some book retailers.

Digital versions of the booklets are available to download on our website (simply navigate to the page of your language of choice). Please note that some of the course names have been changed (to better reflect the content) as below:

• Foundation became Total and is now Foundation (for some languages the Total courses included half of the Vocabulary Builder)
• Language Builder became Masterclass and is now Foundation Plus
• Advanced became Perfect and is now Intermediate (for some languages the Perfect courses included the Vocabulary Builder)
• Vocabulary Course became Vocabulary Builder and is now Vocabulary
• Insiders is now Fluent Conversation

Unfortunately, our products are all separate and not interchangeable. However, you can save the files from the CDs onto your computer and transfer them onto your MP3 device.