Linkword Languages describe their approach as making languages ‘fast to learn and easy to remember’. Gruneberg M.M.,(1996) The use of mnemonic strategies in the learning of non Roman foreign language alphabets. Language Learning Journal, 1, 82-83

I failed my test because I didn’t study –‘because’ gets the reader ready to learn why somebody failed their test.

Frequently Asked Questions

While this method could be used to teach from any language to any language, it is currently used almost exclusively to teach English speaking people other languages. Many different companies offer systems based on this method, but the list of languages offered is almost identical. Learning courses have been developed to teach students Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (both Brazilian and European), Russian, Spanish (both European and South American) and Welsh.” Our courses are built upon the science and principles of memory enhancement. These include methods of association, spaced retrieval, optimal colour-ways and testing patterns specifically designed to increase your speed of learning. It works! Linkword is a mnemonic system promoted by Michael Gruneberg since at least the early 1980s for learning languages based on the similarity of the sounds of words. The process involves creating an easily visualized scene that will link the words together. One example is the Russian word for cow (корова, pronounced roughly karova): think and visualize "I ran my car over a cow." (source: Wikipedia) Sommer S. and Gruneberg M (2002) The use of Linkword Language computer courses in a Classroom situation; A case study at Rugby school. Language Learning Journal, 26, 48-53

Linkword Languages courses are developed by Dr Michael Gruneberg, an internationally recognised expert in memory and learning methods. Another criticism of mnemonic techniques such as this is that they tend to assume a one-to-one relationship between the learner's first language and the target language. In reality, words often have a different range of meanings, and so the student must learn the complexity or nuance of the new words. For this reason, such techniques may be seen as a useful and powerful way to progress in the language, especially in the early stages, rather than giving a complete understanding. It can’t be the dog’s fault nor the cat’s –‘nor’ connects the idea that neither the cat or dog was at fault. Level 4 will enable you to read and understand the average newspaper article, watch a foreign language film and converse with people in a very wide range of situations abroad.

Linkwords

The deputy headteacher of my high school, Dr Steffen Sommer, was a linguist (I credit him with my passion for languages) who introduced me to Linkword and said that he had worked with Michael Gruenberg on linkword's early development - an article co-written by the two of them on its usage at his school is here if interested: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10. ... NNgwhvyGUl Imagine your HAIRY SON looks like a HEDGEHOG What is the English for: HERISSON, VACA, NOTTE, BRAUT, HAN ZUBON? Gruneberg M. and Pascoe K. (1996) The effectiveness of the keyword method for receptive and productive learning in the elderly. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 21, 102-109 If you’re trying to prove something or say something happened as a result of something else, then you will need words like the following:

As noted above, Tim Ferriss argues that 1200 words can be learned in a few days, and he is probably right. But when we started our studies, we found that after learning about 200 words learners wanted to learn grammar mixed in with vocabulary so that they could start communicating straight away. Learning only grammar became a bit boring after a time. So we developed a course which introduced simple grammar soon after a set of about 10 words was learned and let learners translate simple sentences within minutes of starting the course. Our research showed this strategy worked. In the Thomson holidays study, learners learned about 400 words in 12hours but in addition could communicate in sentences. A later study found that 600 words and a more advanced grammar could be learned in about 24 hours. HOW LONG DOES LEARNING LASTEach Survival course consists of approximately 200 words which can be learned in an astonishing 2-3 hours – far faster than normal learning speed. The courses will enable you to learn an amazing amount of targeted useful words in a wide range of languages. Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi (Urdu), Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish (European), Spanish (S. American), Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Welsh. The Linkword Spanish (European) Levels 1-4 course teaches a 1200 word vocabulary and cover all major grammar points in 60- 80 hours of learning. The average school pupil learns a vocabulary of 800-900 words in 4 years. Here's an example of its use. I'm brushing up my Latin, and like to run through the various conjugations and declensions in my head before going to sleep (it's wonderfully soothing!). To ensure I cover them all, I've devised the following mnemonics: The best language learning software I’ve tried. Having spent hundreds of pounds on Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur this software is pure gold to the language student. Linkword really does work! No rote method required, no endlessly repeating verbs and nouns to find the next day you’ve forgotten them. There is strong evidence that the more effort learners put into processing incoming information, the longer will the material be remembered.

Studies have shown that using imagery without testing what you have learned immediately after learning leads to less good learning than rote learning. In our studies and and courses we always tested learning immediately after a set of words had been learned to avoid this problem. Also, as noted above, just learning vocabuary is not the optimal way to use the method. IS MAKING UP YOUR OWN IMAGES BETTER THAN USING OTHERS However the quality of images is not the main issue. Linkword courses use optimal testing patterns , critical to long term retention. The vocabulary is integrated with grammar and both are tested with sentences using just presented material. It is this combination of Memory enhances that makes Linkword courses much more than using the keyword method.

Gruneberg M (1992) The practical application of memory aids. In Gruneberg m and Morris P. (Eds) Aspects of Memory: The Practical Aspects. London Routledge. Pimsleur is a tried and tested language-learning programme. Ideal for people who are not academic or prefer learning by doing, Pimsleur focuses on speaking and listening, rather than reading and writing. Personally, I have used this many times, and I have even written a more [etailed review on the Pimsleur course for Japanese.