how to learn a language by ear · simple conversation • dance analogy: the “2-step” •...

How to Learn a Language by Ear

In this lesson you will learn…

• The 3 steps to building Conversational fluency

• The 3 steps to build Command over the language

• How you actually “learn the language” in The Mimic Method.

Review

The Conventional Approach to Language Learning

1

📚✍Reading &

Writing

2

😐😮Understanding &

Speaking

3

👂👄Hearing &

Pronunciation


1

📚✍

2

😐😮

3

👂👄Reading &

WritingUnderstanding &

SpeakingHearing &

Pronunciation

Stuck Point

Language is a tool for Human Connection

Humans connect most through spoken conversation

The Conventional Approach Fails to Help us Connect


1 2

😐😮

3

📚✍Reading &


Speaking

👂👄Hearing &

Pronunciation

Stuck Point

The Un-Conventional Approach to Language Learning

1 2

😊😆

3

📚✍Reading &


Speaking

👂👄Hearing &

Pronunciation

The Mimic Method

1 2

😊😆

3

📚✍CommandConversation

👂👄Capacity

😊😆Conversation

Learning How to Converse is like Learning How to Dance


👯Dancing

=

The 3 Steps to Conversation

Simple Scripted Spontaneous


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Simple Conversation



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Simple Conversation• Dance Analogy: The “2-step”

• Description: Can have basic interactions with basic words/phrases and bad grammar.

• Why: Need to break the communication barrier asap - the only goal is to be understood.

• How: Use “Learn by Ear” programs like Pimsleur, Michel Thomas. Then learn how to ask these Key Questions:

• “How do you say (1st language word/2nd language description/body language) in (2nd language)?”

• “What does (2nd language word) mean?”

• “Can you say that again slowly please?”

Thing🍎

Sound

👄Movement

How do you actually learn the language?

😐 🍎 😐

Identify

😮👉 🍎

?

Ask

😐

😐👉 🍎 😮

Listen

😮👉 🍎 😐

Mimic

👄Thing Movement

Sound

🍎

😐 Link (Weak)

sound

😐 😐

Next time…

sound

😐 😐🍎👈

sound

🤔 😐🍎👈

Recall…

sound

😅 😒🍎

Recall (Fail)

sound

😐 😐

Next time…

sound

😐 😠🍎👈

sound

🤔 😠🍎👈

Recall…

sound

😃 😯🍎👈

Recall (Slow)

👄Thing Movement

Sound

🍎

😃 Link (Strong)

sound

😐 😐

Next time…

sound

😃 😮🍎👈

Recall (Fast)

👄Thing Movement

Sound

🍎

😎 Know

👄Thing Movement

Sound

🍎

👀

No Eyes Needed

Scripted Conversation



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Scripted Conversation• Dance Analogy: Your Go-to moves

• Description: Speaking perfect grammar and accent in memorized routines.

• Why: Make a good first impression with perfect grammar and accent; Strong start gives momentum to rest of conversation; Builds your grammar intuition without burdening you with grammar knowledge.

• How: Write English scripts for the most common scenarios, have translated by native, then memorize line by line.

Scripted Conversation

The 3 Steps to Conversation



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Spontaneous Conversation• Dance Analogy: Can freestyle steps and move combos.

• Description: Can speak freely about any subject without relying on a script.

• Why: To freely connect, you need to be able to feel like you can speak freely and understand most of what’s being said.

• How: Just gotta clock in that “Mat Time” until you reach “The Shift”.

The Shift

Sprint to The Shift asFast as Possible

The Mimic Method

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😊😆

3


👂👄Capacity

📚✍Command

Command

• At end of Conversation, you should speak as well as a 10 year old native speaker.

• “Command” is about speaking the language like an educated person.

• Need to have a foundation in conversation before you can build command (even though conventional approach starts here).

The 3 Steps to Command

Standard Scholastic Stylistic

📚✍Command

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The 3 Steps to Command• Standard Command: Go back and fix “awkward” grammar and

word choice, starting with the most awkward (use voice recordings and native speaker, can start building “Grammar Knowledge”).

• Scholastic Command: Read lots of text to rapidly build vocabulary and familiarity with more complex grammar structures.

• Stylistic Command: Practice writing with feedback, focus on explaining same concept in variety of ways to build eloquence.

The Mimic Method

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😊😆

3


👂👄Capacity

Next Lesson…

👂👄Capacity

how to learn a language by ear · simple conversation • dance analogy: the “2-step” •...

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