FAQ
The Method
The term ‘earworms' or ‘catchy tunes' refers to those songs which you hear a few times and then just can't get out of your head. We are putting this phenomenon to a positive educational use.
The earworms programme not only anchors words and phrases into your memory in a very short time, it also fits in with busy lives, thus saving time. You can learn in a traffic jam, on the Underground, while jogging, where and when you want to. You take control.
You can be using your newfound knowledge within hours, unbelievable though it may seem. We recommend that you listen relatively intensively over a two-week period (the learning phase), and then continue periodically to listen in order to refresh your memory.
You can be using your newfound knowledge within hours, unbelievable though it may seem. We recommend that you listen relatively intensively over a two-week period (the learning phase), and then continue periodically to listen in order to refresh your memory.
The method's aim is simple: to enable you to hold a conversation in the target language. Within a few hours of listening to Volume 1 you'll be able to deal with situations like; taking a taxi, at the hotel, at the restaurant, requesting, polite phrases, finding your way, numbers, dealing with problems and so on.
Volume 2 will have you talking about yourself (past, present, and future), chatting, and even flirting! Volume 3 continues with more useful everyday situations while going more into the structure, the grammatical rules of the language.
Rapid Vol. 1, 2 & 3 are for all ages, although truthfully the subject matter appeals more to adults.
There is no such thing as "no talent for languages". Speaking a language is a natural human ability. It is also natural that the brain is hungry to learn. The art of language teaching and learning is supplying the material in an easily digestible, brain-friendly package. Forget what your teachers said, they were wrong! After seeing how easy learning a language can be with earworms, hopefully you will be motivated and continue with this most rewarding activity.
No, don't concentrate too hard... in fact try not to remember, just relax and enjoy it as if you are listening to the radio.
Of course, reading and writing are important. Included with all formats is a supporting booklet, a transcript of the course. It is provided as a PDF with the MP3 download product and App version. Although it is not essential, we recommend that you do also familiarise yourself with the written words.
The booklet includes the English and target language and the phonetics for each word or phrase along with other information to support your progress.
This course is ideal for dyslexics and people who just don't like book learning, also for blind people. In this case your aural sense of perception and memory will probably be heightened. For others, the booklet is a great support.
The Earworms Method draws on the latest research into accelerated learning and memory enhancement and takes advantage of the scientifically proven capacity of the mind to memorise words far better in melodic patterns. Our own trials point to the phenomena being even more powerful than we had anticipated. With earworms, students usually get over 90% in difficult vocabulary tests, compared to less than 50% with conventional book learning.
Yes. The Earworms Method follows closely the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) on Language Learning levels A1 to B1.
With the appeal of the earworms songs we hope that it is not a question of “having to” but rather a question of “wanting to”. But seriously: the memory is like a muscle, it needs to be trained and exercised. The ideal is listening relatively intensively at the beginning (the learning phase), thereafter listening periodically to review what you have learnt and refresh your memory.
In practical terms this means listening to the whole album the first day, in order to ‘tune your ear in' to the sounds of the target language. Then listen regularly, several times, over a period of one or two weeks, making sure that you listen to every track equally as many times.
After this, go through the booklet and test your knowledge, picking out any gaps that you may wish to concentrate on.
Lastly, the review phase. As we all know, memories fade, so it is important to refresh your memory by using the course at your leisure, say, once a week for the following few weeks. Thereafter, monthly. This review phase is crucial as it consolidates your knowledge and transfers it into your long-term memory. Although this demands self-discipline, it is of course without effort, as you are only listening to music. The result is that you will be able to recall the words and phrases with the same ease that you remember your telephone number or a nursery rhyme.
In practical terms this means listening to the whole album the first day, in order to ‘tune your ear in' to the sounds of the target language. Then listen regularly, several times, over a period of one or two weeks, making sure that you listen to every track equally as many times.
After this, go through the booklet and test your knowledge, picking out any gaps that you may wish to concentrate on.
Lastly, the review phase. As we all know, memories fade, so it is important to refresh your memory by using the course at your leisure, say, once a week for the following few weeks. Thereafter, monthly. This review phase is crucial as it consolidates your knowledge and transfers it into your long-term memory. Although this demands self-discipline, it is of course without effort, as you are only listening to music. The result is that you will be able to recall the words and phrases with the same ease that you remember your telephone number or a nursery rhyme.
A trip abroad is always good to get your linguistic juices flowing. Use your iDevices’s dictionary and notebook to take down any new and interesting words and phrases you might come across. Also, Internet resources are often very good. The BBC languages web site is very commendable: www.bbc.co.uk/languages