The Assimil method comprises two phases: a passive phase (assimilation) where, for the first few weeks, the student simply listens, reads and repeats; and the active phase, in which the student begins to communicate spontaneously using the naturally acquired language from the first phase. The method is simple, gimmick-free and has helped millions to learn a foreign language over more than 60 years. The course comprises a book and set of audio-cassettes or CDs, available separately or as a multimedia pack. The total running time for the audio materials is 3 hours 20 minutes.