0
0
PRAGUE – A new study suggests adults may be able to learn foreign languages more effectively by mimicking how babies acquire their native tongue: by focusing on the melody and rhythm of speech before delving into written words.
Researchers from a recent study involving 174 Czech adults found that learning a new language’s sound patterns is more efficient when textual aids are avoided. This challenges conventional language-learning methods that often prioritize reading and writing from the outset.
The study, published in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, explored how adults perceive unfamiliar languages. Participants listened to five minutes of Māori, a language they had never encountered. They were then tested on their ability to distinguish Māori from Malay, another unfamiliar language, using audio clips filtered to resemble speech heard in the womb, emphasizing melody and rhythm.
The results were striking: participants could discern the languages despite the audio filtering, demonstrating their ability to grasp the melodic and rhythmic patterns with minimal exposure. However, when participants were exposed to Māori while reading subtitles—whether in the original spelling, altered spelling, or a foreign script—their ability to identify the language based on sound diminished.
“Our research builds on previous studies, which have found that spelling can interfere with how learners pronounce individual vowels and consonants of a non-native language,” said lead researcher Kateřina Chládková. “Our study shows that spelling can even hinder our natural ability to listen to speech melody and rhythm.”
The researchers argue that adults may benefit from adopting an auditory-focused approach, similar to how infants learn. This involves immersing oneself in spoken language—through conversations, podcasts, and native speech—before engaging with written forms.
“Listening without reading letters may help us to stop focusing on individual vowels, consonants and separate words, and instead absorb the overall flow of a language much like infants do,” Chládková explained.
The study also highlights the potential negative impact of premature exposure to alphabetic spelling in foreign language acquisition. By focusing on the global features of speech, such as its melody and rhythm, adults can create a foundation for further linguistic competence.
This research may prompt educators and language learners to reconsider traditional teaching methods, emphasizing immersive listening experiences to accelerate spoken proficiency.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided information and the study referenced. The study suggests a correlation between early auditory exposure and language learning, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish definitive causation. Individual results may vary, and the effectiveness of any language-learning method depends on various factors. This article should not be taken as definitive advice, and readers should consult with language learning professionals for personalized guidance.
