Many of us can pretty much tell straight away when a technique “works” in class – the kids’ reaction often gives it away. 🙂

And in the next class we can see if it helped them remember any of what they learnt (or not as the case may be!)

For Tiger Parents…

Then when trying to persuade head teachers, boards of education or even parents, then academic research to back up what we say can really help. (Especially if there are big name universities saying it.)

So Julie just sent in this very interesting experiment from the University of Edinburgh on how singing in a foreign language can significantly improve learning how to speak it,  (http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2013/180713-singinglanguages )

This study provides the first experimental evidence that a listen-and-repeat singing method can support foreign language learning, and opens the door for future research in this area. One question is whether melody could provide an extra cue to jog people’s memory, helping them recall foreign words and phrases more easily.

– Dr Karen M. Ludke

Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Music in Human and Social Development

Cool, it’s always good to know we’re on the right track! 🙂

Be genki,

Richard