Learning Method: The Third Ear
The basic idea behind The Third Ear language learning system is that each of us already knows how to learn a language. And, sitting in a traditional classroom is the least effective way to do the learning. While learning to read and write a language is important for literacy, it is less important for really getting the essence of a new language. And getting the essence is critical if you really want to be fluent.
When you are learning a language one of the most important things you can do is start with the body language. Body language between different cultures has lots of overlap so, when you start there, you already have a head start.
But, it goes further. There are differences, in terms of the rhythms and sounds of every language. These differences are not related to words, but rather to the overall feel of a language. When you focus your attention on this area you will find that, somehow, learning the words just seems easier.
You could say that, in some very important ways, your body is your Third Ear. Learn to listen with the body and language learning becomes that much easier.
Of course, when you learn a new language you must also listen to the sounds, and the way words are pronounced. If you can't hear it, you can't say it correctly. And if you can't say it correctly, other people are not going to be able to understand you. So, your ears are very important. That's another reason why this approach is called The Third Ear.
Beyond the body, and beyond really listening, there is something else. Deep inside, each of us has an intuitive sense of how to use language. It's something that we were all born with. It had to be, because otherwise we may not have learned our mother tongue. As we grow up, this sense tends to get a little rusty. The rustier it gets, the harder it may seem to learn a new language. But, deep down, that intuitive ability is still there. A basic premise of The Third Ear is that you can dust off the rust, and reactivate that ability. And, when you do, no new language is too hard. In fact, the whole process might just become enjoyable.
Sounds interesting? You can get your copy of The Third Ear via the following channels:
- iTunes App
- Amazon (eBook or Paperback)
Praise for The Third Ear Approach to Language Learning
  The Third Ear got the big things in my mind right. It help me set my mental framework for a year and a half of intensive Chinese learning. I can see a real value because it focuses on the big picture, and what you can do to get ready for learning a new language. I've been a lot more effective than, I would guess, over 95% of my fellow students in terms of how much I've achieved in the time I have been studying.- Paris Shepherd Learning Mandarin Chinese in Dalian, China |
 The Third Ear captures at a fundamental level the personal barriers you have to overcome when you learn a new language. Barriers of embarrassment, barriers of self-doubt that you can learn a language at all. (I know) quite a few people who have used concepts in The Third Ear to learn Chinese Mandarin quite quickly, much more quickly than people who are spending hours in language schools or language workshops.- David Brooks Vice-President, Coca-Cola Beverages China |
 Most of all, what The Third Ear did was change the way I looked at language learning. It made me see it as something that was a lot of fun and very achievable. It breaks the mindset that language can only be learned by a child. It shows you that as an adult you can leverage all the advantages and knowledge that you have to identify patterns, understand structure and come up with lots of interesting shortcuts in learning a language.- Naaz Kazi Learned Spanish in Colombia and is now Sales Manager, I-Flex Solutions Chile |
 The Third Ear describes precisely the process for adults to be successful in learning a language. I think it's a very practical and real view of what it takes, and the book lays out the skills in a step by step way. I think that if somebody is really genuinely committed to learning a language, what's set out in The Third Ear represents the prescriptive way to do that well.- Graham Barkus Learning & Development Manager, Cathay Pacific Airlines |
 One of the things I did to avoid getting overwhelmed by how many words I didn't know was to, as The Third Ear suggested, focus on the category words. So instead of trying to remember every single noun, I learned the broad noun for that category, and use that as a base to help build my knowledge of the more specific words as I went. I also found focusing on the glue words - really important joining words that help facilitate the language - really helped me was well in my learning.- Zoe Fitzgerald Learned Portuguese and is now Manager of Diversity & Inclusion, ABN-Amro Banco De Brazil |
 One of the main points that The Third Ear teaches you is to practice, practice, practice. You have to avoid fear, avoid your fear of being misunderstood by people when you are learning language. People are always scared when they speak or when they are making a sentence. (People) are scared that they will be misunderstood and they feel ashamed about this. You have to practice, and just say it in the language that you are learning instead of always translating.- Sir David Santandreu Calonge Linguistics Expert, City Univerisity Hong Kong (David was knighted in 2008 for his work teaching French language and culture) |
 I thought The Third Ear was wonderfully refreshing in that it actually made me understand how we tend to learn languages the wrong way, we tend to be bound by grammar and structure in picking up a language and I think that I found most useful was that we just have to listen to what we call audibols, and just soak in the language naturally and keep using the language, that's really the essence.- Steven Tan Learning Cantonese in Hong Kong |
 The Third Ear was for me a revelation because I had always thought learning languages was about studying and practicing and getting the grammar right and being perfect at it. The book allowed me to ease up on myself in terms of study, and allowed me just to inhale / embrace the language around me. My comprehension improved dramatically so it's made a big difference to the way I have approached Mandarin.- Lorna Davis Managing Director, Danone Biscuits China |
 Probably the hardest thing about learning Mandarin is in knowing where to start. Everything is different - the tones, characters, pronunciations.
Thankfully, I was able to read The Third Ear before starting my leaning in China and it really helped focus my learning style with some simple, but surprisingly effective techniques. The book is very readable and motivating for anyone looking to pick up a new language, no matter what their age.
- Julian Hewitt Learned Chinese and is now Shanghai Branch Manager, The Beijing Axis Consulting Company |
 This book was just what I needed! My problem had always been "I'm not ready to speak Chinese yet".
Looking back, I'm not sure when I was ever going to be ready. I think I was convincing myself that somehow, magically, I was going to be "qualified" one day. Having read The Third Ear, I can see that was never going to be the case.
So, armed with my new found confidence, I went out into the world and had fun with the language.
When I finally summoned up the courage to use what little I already know, I was amazed by the results.
- Bob Coleman Learning Mandarin in Shenzhen, China |