Most learners know 500 words but cannot connect them into natural speech. CD1 forces you to stop translating from English word-order to French word-order. It builds a "language reflex."
After mastering CD1, immediately watch a French TV show (e.g., Dix pour cent / Call My Agent! ). You will start to recognize the "Imparfait vs. Passé Composé" distinction naturally. Michel Thomas French Language Builder CD1
This is incredibly validating for the listener. When you struggle with a conjugation, you often hear one of the students on the recording struggle with the exact same thing. It lowers the affective filter—the anxiety of making mistakes—and creates a safe psychological space for learning. Most learners know 500 words but cannot connect