The genesis of LearnFast languages was found in my own desire to learn a language as an adult even though I have little natural affinity for languages. I set out to learn the Polish language as an adult. I initially tried various language learning programs on the market. I also tried taking classes, I moved to Poland and took classes there, I used private tutors. However, I made little inroads other than having a collection of language programs and text books.
It was not until I developed my own method did I make heroic progress. In fact people asked ‘how did I learn a language so quickly’. Further, they asked ‘could I do it again’?
All learning is self study.
I experimented with different ways of learning a language.
For example, with simple 3″x5″ flash cards, I did make some progress. Flash cards force you to remember and test and challenges that memory.
Learnfast languages audio works this way:
- Audio flashcards – at the core this is an audio flashcard program that progressively builds you to a higher and higher level.
- Time Stretched loops – that is words and phrases are presented at a normal rate of speed and a slowed rate of speed for efficient absorption.
- Brainwaves – Certain word lists have a propriety sound wave pattern embedded in the background to enhance learning. I am not saying this is literally downloading a language to your brain, but you will be pleasantly surprised at your progress.
Q. Why did we focus on an audio flashcard program? A. Memory is mostly about retrieval
Memory is usually a recall issues rather than a formation or retention problem. Let me explain, once you have a bit of information in your brain the challenge is to pull it out , and articulate it. The brain does a pretty good job of forming a memory. However, to use it in practical situations, memory is about retrieval.
For example, once you learn something it is there, stored somewhere in your brains, even multiple locations. However, if challenged you might not be able to remember until someone reminds you. Then you say ‘yes that is right’. That is evidence that the memory bit is in your brain and it is just a recall issues.
Illustration of memory retrieval
Think about State capitals you learned in the second grade. If someone were to ask you the capital of some distant state, you would not be able to remember. If someone were to remind you, then you say, ‘aha that is right’. That illustrates that memory is often retrieval issue. This is what flash cards work on, the practice of retrieval.
What you really need to do is keep on testing your brain, massaging it and working it and testing it again until you build a strong pathway of memory retraction memory retrieval the ability to take a bite of memory from your brain and bring it to your consciousness.
Language memory is like creating a path through a field
Think of the brain like an open field. A memory is somewhere in that field. If you walked to that location once, you might find it again or the field might get overgrown. If you keep on going to that same location to the field you will see a well trodden path develop. It will be easy for you to access that information. This is how the brain works. The memory exists, it is just about creating a clear path to it so you can get there when you need to.
It is that simple.
This metaphor is a basis for learning languages and my program. You practice the memory until you own it.
Q. Yes, but why Audio Flashcards? A. Because language is auditory
You need to practice the retraction of a memory, over and over. Flashcards are a correct premise. However, for foreign languages, it needs to be audio, rather than visual. Because language is about listening and speaking.
- Languages are largely connected with Wernicke and Broca’s area in the brain. These are auditory areas.
Visual flashcards have a check mark as a selling point, but if you focus on pure audio, you make greater progress.
Q. Is not the brain largely visual? A. Yes but internal images are what count for languages
Large parts of the brain are connected to vision so would it not make sense to have visual images in the flashcards. Not really because what the brain needs is a sound. The brain is very specialized with language learning. A word is not stored in the image part of the brain but in an audio memory, which needs to be in exact location of the brain for audio. External images if anything can be distracting.
Mnemonics and internal images
If you want to use imagery in remembering I recommend making Mnemonics in your imagination. The Ancient Greeks use this to remember their stories and learn languages.
When I heard a word that was hard to remember, I created a mnemonic. It stuck to my brain. You can visualize the mnemonic, this works. Write me if you have questions on mnemonics, this combined with audio is a winning formula. I do not include mnemonics in the program as it is more meaningful if you create your own when you get stuck, as the basis of mnemonics is that they should me personal, funny or sensual for maximum emotional imprinting. If you create the mnemonic, while you listen to our program you will own it.
Q. Why do we time stretch our audio loops? A. Sound needs to be slowed down so you can get your tongue around new foreign pronunciations
I take it slow, and spoon feed very small chunks of information at a very slow rate of speed so your brain can absorb and process this information. Next your practice it.
Learning a language is very challenging, the pronunciation, the grammar, the remembering of a strange sounding multisyllabic word, let alone the formation of a sentence with all those components put together in the right way.
This is why I methodically, break each part of the learning process into small progressive chunks.
Q. What are brainwaves doing in the program? A. Brainwaves work, feel free to research this on the web
Brainwaves enhance cognitive function.This is well researched. I use the in the program in certain sections in a way that is subtle and in the background.
You can do a simple test. You can play an online game like chess, or study or work with Mozart or Bach in the background and see if this helps focus and proformace.
- We developed proprietary sounds waves that are targeted specific for language learning.
How does the program develop contextually?
- We teach basic words.
- We subsequently build small sentences and dialogue.
- We add stories and history and authentic sounds of the culture
Each audio clip is a few minutes long. You will want to listen passively, than actively to these word lists until they become part of your consciousness.
Learnfast languages is simple and unpretentious. It uses audio clips that we altered the speed on, and you listen and learn and test yourself on.
I jettison the fluff and striped it down to a pure audio program because that is what works.
Eventually you can learn five thousand words. Once you learn 5000 words in no grammar really you can speak the language basic enough to communicate on the street.
Grammar and dialogues will come as you start to recognize the patterns of native speakers speaking, or subsequently pick up a basic grammar book and go though it, but this is secondary. I know teachers are gasping, but trust me, to learn a word, an accent and the grammar is too much initially.
This program is complete in itself, it gives you everything you need to the intermediate level including some grammar and dialogues. However the basic premise is to build you up basic words, slowly and gradually. This and holding is needed until you get to a critical level of communication.
In the end, this is what worked for me. When I personally learn my next languages, this is what I will use. For everyday of a normal person, the method of audio only provides the convenience to allow people to learn.
Q. Where can you learn? A. what do you like to do for fun?
What do you like to do for fun?
This program is fully audio-based which is because I believe that in order to learn you need to have a reasonable amount of exposure to the language. In contrast being chained to your computer it gets really tiring. You can be in your car, taking a nap, at the kitchen table, in the garden or or at the beach, or even on your computer working and have Learnfast in the background.
I also learned at the office, while doing Excel spreadsheets. I worked at my day job with ear bugs absorbing a new language in the background.
Where do I personally study? I like to study languages while I am doing activities like cleaning the house, relaxing or napping on the couch. The sofa, in a half-nap, was one of my favorite ways to listen and try to remember words. With time the words will sink in.
Q. What is the most common issue with language learning? A. Expectations
The biggest problem with language learning is expectations.
The you, the teacher or the program you just bought sets exceptions too high, and teaches too much at once. Language learning needs to be baby steps. Small and easy without tall tales about people who pick up language because it is in the air. I taught languages for years and never met a student like that. All I met were students who tried.
Language learners frequently get frustrated because so much is thrown at them, including complex grammar lessons. They encounter teachers and experts who never really learned a language as an adult, but were linguists who had been learning since childhood. Or they studied languages as their major in college. These are not people who should be teaching languages to adults because their training is the opposite of what adults need.
What you need to do is you need to slowly build small little fragments of words and syllables. One syllable in a foreign language is hard to remember. I personally develop my own mnemonic. When you learn a couple new words, you build confidence. I believe even if you learn 50 words you are empowered. Even 50 words and phrases, will get your far in among native speakers. having expectations like this will get you far. It got me to learn an entire language.
Q. Why I am not using the software I created? A. I wanted to release what works.
I initially programed a software program to learn languages. It was visual, interesting to look at and beautiful. As beautiful as this software is, and as much work, I put into it, I will not release this software below at this juncture. Why? I am results oriented. In my own personal experience, pure audio is the way to learn a language most efficiently. I may release this at a latter date, however, I am focusing on developing the audio program. It is hard to believe that I would do this. But again. I want you to learn a language. Naked professionally recorded audio with varied speeds with brainwaves are more effective.
Below are some screen shots from my software program which I am not selling.
The program is beautiful and I could make money from it, but that is not my purpose. It is to make sure you have a program that works effectively. All programs will work. I am not knocking any programs on the market or methods.
My goals is to give you something that works efficiently.
Does it work?
The audio program absolutely works. The reason I know it works is this is the method I used on myself to learn the Polish language, a very complex language mind you.
Give LearnFast languages a try and my hope is your will delightful surprised at this refreshingly simple and new technique to learn your target language.
