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Learn a new language!
My impartiality as a journalist is very important to me and I will be writing about all kinds of language learning products and techniques on this blog, on my Facebook blog, on the Facebook group and on the new website brought to you by Earworms Learning.
The time has come to tell you how my fascination with learning new languages began. Cast your minds back to 2006.
For some reason known only to myself, I decided I wanted to learn German. At school, we were given a choice: French or Spanish. I passed my GCSE French exam in 1998 and somehow managed to get a C. But that was it. I’d never displayed any kind of “super learning ability” or “talent with languages.”
I searched Amazon.co.uk and other online retailers to see what sort of “Learn German” products were available. If I am honest, I wanted to cheat a little bit. I wanted to avoid the traditional, linear style of teaching and go for the “Learn German in a hurry” approach. Life as a freelancer is fun but it is rarely consistent. One day, you’re giving a talk on journalism to primary school children and the next you’re interviewing one of your heroes. I wasn’t sure how much time I could invest in the “Learn German Project”.
It was then that I discovered Rapid German Volume 1. Rapid German Volume 1 is produced by Earworms Learning and the product promised to help me learn German just by listening. These days, music releases receive air time ad nausea. One song is played over and over again until you start to find the song ‘catchy’ and you start to hum the lyrics and the words trip from your tongue. Eventually, you can’t help but remember the words to the song. Earworms Learning use that same principle in their products.
I listened to the CD a number of times. Within days I could remember some of the words in the German phrases on the CD and within weeks I found myself getting really excited when I realised that I could remember whole phrases in German.
It’s now 2008. I can still remember those German phrases and it has been a while since I listened to the CD. Other language learning products are available and who knows if Earworms products will work for you? The only way you can answer that question is to experience the products for yourself. If you do, let me know what you think.
The video I’ve included in this post is from Youtube and it is a short, visual introduction to Rapid Spanish Volume 1. It gives you a flavour of the Earworms experience. It is up to you to find what works for you. I’ll be writing about a whole range of language learning products and techniques but I am not here to sell you anything.
So why not pluck up the courage to learn a new language? Whether you go to an evening class, buy a product, learn a new technique or just go on holiday and learn while you explore, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you have fun learning a new language. However busy you are and no matter what the demands on your time are, learning a new language can be easy, enjoyable and entertaining and could enrich your life. So start today. I’m here as a guide but don’t take my word for it. Go out there, learn and explore.
March 4, 2008 at 11:25 am
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March 5, 2008 at 10:18 am
Congratulations on taking up such a marvellous challenge Martin and very pleased to meet you over at my Passing English blog. Let’s keep eachother posted!