Today, we continue with The Most Amazing Story For Your English. If you missed the first part, you can catch up here.
“The typical individual of the area has a good command of at least three languages. Many speak five or six fluently, and even more with some facility. This is not unusual or restricted to a few exceptional individuals—it is the rule.”
— Arthur P. Sorensen Jr., American Anthropologist, 1967
In 1959, America was king of the world.
That was the year Dr. Arthur Sorenson left his home in New York to live with the Vaupes Indians in the jungles of South America.
In America, there was the most advanced medicine and machines and the most money.
And, of course, they had the best schools.
Or did they….?
In 1959, the United States spent $183 million on teaching math, science and language; in 1960, it increased to, $222 million.
Some classrooms had modern technology, like headsets, microphones and recorders.
A language teacher spent 4-5 years learning to teach.
And the result?
1-2% of students became conversational in a foreign language.
Meanwhile, in the Amazon…
No schools.
No teachers.
No books.
And everyone spoke 3-6 languages.
The Secret
The Vaupes Indians listened.
And they listened a lot.
Before even trying to speak a new language, they listen to the language for two years.
It started as a child; a man must marry a woman from a different tribe (and language), so both parents speak different languages at home.
But it continues throughout their life.
They listen, they learn a new language.
Listen, learn. Listen, learn.
Even in old age, they are learning new languages.
“That’s all?” you’re probably wondering.
That’s all.
No complicated grammar charts.
No gamified apps.
Not even one teacher.
They just listen.
After all, isn’t that how we all learned to understand our first language?
Sorenson, himself, started to use their method.
He started to listen.
And when he left the rainforest for the last time after 2-3 years of living with the Vaupes, he could speak 3-5 of their languages.
Do you think this method could help you?
How much English did you listen to today?
Tomorrow: Let’s talk about you and your listening.
And let’s make a plan for you to get results.
М-р Виг! Вы просто прелесть! И ваш метод обучения замечательный!
Thanks for asking! My listening routin is: every day Bridge Audio, and Extra Strength listening lesson in the evening (or the next morning). Every day I try to listen Send Seven simple news, usually I listen twice. Sometimes I listen podcasts, especially I like Luke’s english, because of the different topics. He speaks alot, sometimes I get tired, but I find it useful to listen more without “picture”. As well, I watch Netflix series.
That’s.so interesting, how about that!
All this experiences remind me an other big guy Paul Gauguin who left the comfortable life in Paris bored for its rules and conveniences and made a voyage to Tahiti 🏝 island for finding inspiration, a new life, new people.The result was amazing!
It is a good example. I hope it help us.