See how Paul Daniels used Linkword to change his life.
Video clip from the BBC QED programme, THE MAGIC OF MEMORY.
The Linkword Method: The Key To Language Learning For Dyslexia
Michael Gruneberg
The sad fact is that those with dyslexia are usually written off in schools and work as incapable of learning languages. That is about 10% of the population! I recently approached 2 schools dedicated to teaching dyslexic children who don’t even have language learning as an option for the students! The fact is that this assumption is totally wrong. The problem is how they are taught!
Below is an illustration of the Linkword method for learning vocabulary. Picture each of the images below in your mind’s eye as vividly as you can for about 10 seconds.
The Japanese for SHORTS is HAN ZUBON
Imagine my HANDS UPON your SHORTS
The German for BRIDE is BRAUT (pronounced as in SPROUT)
Imagine a Belgian BRIDE, a Brussels BRAUT
The Italian for NIGHT is NOTTE
Imagine spending a NAUGHTY NIGHT out
The Spanish for COW is VACA
Imagine a COW with a VACUUM cleaner, cleaning a field
The French for HEDGEHOG is HERISSON
Imagine your HAIRY SON looks like a HEDGEHOG
What is the English for: HERISSON, VACA, NOTTE, BRAUT, HAN ZUBON?
If you got most of them right, the Linkword method will help you learn the language of your choice. Linkword also teaches grammar in a really easy way.
WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE IT WORKS IN GENERAL
Although the method has been around since at least the 19th century, the first studies proving it worked were done some 50 years ago. They showed that learning vocabulary with this method was about 3 times faster than normal learning. At least 100 studies since then have shown that the method is very significantly faster that a variety of alternatives including the normal rote learning. Using this method Tim Ferriss of the FOUR HOUR WEEK fame claimed you can learn 200-300 words in a day and 1200 word in a few weeks.
Studies we have conducted showed that a group of manages at Thomson holidays learned a vocabulary of 400 words AND a basic Grammar in 12 hours- about 3 times faster than normal as assessed by an independent assessor. In fact an assessment of normal learning of languages by school children in the UK found that on average they learned only about 800-900 words in 4 years!!
WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE IT WORKS FOR DYSLEXICS AND POOR LEARNERS
We carried out a study at Rugby school in the UK. The class was of poor and dyslexic language learners. They spent one class a week using the Linkword course, which uses the keyword method for teaching vocabulary as well as teaching a basic grammar. After 7 months the students were given an end of term exam. The average mark for the class went up from 38% the year before to 50%. A quarter of the class were promoted to the class above, something that had never happened before! furthermore the pupils reported far higher feelings of enjoyment and speed of learning.
https://www.linkwordlanguages.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Linkword-at-Rugby-School.pdf
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09571730285200231
A second study which was carried out in another well known school, compared a group of pupils who were dyslexic with another group of students who were of average ability at language learning. Before the study started, all students were given a vocabulary test in French and it was found that dyslexic learners were significantly poorer in their vocabulary knowledge.
Both groups were then taught about 56 words using the linkword course in French described above. The findings were that both groups retained significantly more than previously, and that the dyslexia group now learned at the same level as the non dyslexic group. No study as far as I am aware has ever shown dyslexic learners learn to the same level as non dyslexic learners.
https://www.linkwordlanguages.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Linkword-in-the-classroom.pdf
As can be seen below Adult learners can also benefit greatly
WHAT ADULT LEARNERS THINK
“I am dyslexic. A few years ago, I found ‘Linkword’, I started to learn Spanish and it is absolutely fabulous. My husband does it with me and we both love it. It has to be one of the easiest ways of learning a language in the world. I run the British Dyslexia Centre and have told many parents about this way of teaching languages”
Maria Chivers, British Dyslexia Centre.
I have just discovered Linkword and I am Dyslexic. After a few hours of using the system I found it was very helpful. The Visual layout and color use is most effective for me.”
Lee Slaughter from LATG website
“As a dyslexic person I was astonished at how quick, easy, effective and enjoyable the Linkword system is. The website says that, with Linkword, people can learn up to 3 times more quickly than with conventional methods. I would say that with my dyslexic condition I have actually learned even more quickly than that”
Andrew Glynn, Brixton
“I have had difficulty reading and spelling all my life as I suffer from dyslexia. I live in mid Portugal. I decided to give it a try. To my amazement it was working for me. I am totally hooked”
Peter G from the iOS Portuguese European customer rating
WHY DO DYSLEXIC LEARNERS BENEFIT FROM THE LINKWORD METHOD
One possible reason is that many dyslexic learners might have a specific problem in remembering the sound of a foreign word when associating an English word with a foreign word, e.g. The Spanish for COW is VACA. A study by Krug* looked at students who had specific language learning difficulties but not overall learning difficulties and found that these students had a specific problem in remembering the sound of foreign words. The Linkword method specifically addresses this problem by giving learners another English word to remember as a bridge to remembering the foreign word. Whatever the reason, it is clear that the Keyword method very much helps many dyslexic learners to a very significant extent, both in terms of performance and motivation.
SOME FAQ ABOUT THE LINKWORD METHOD
HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY LEARN
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.
https://www.linkwordlanguages.com/evidence-it-works/
HOW LONG DOES LEARNING LAST
We carried out a study on someone who learned Italian with Linkword 10 years previously and had not looked at it since. Without any revision he recalled about 30% of vocabulary. He then had 10 minutes to go through the glossary and then got about 70% correct. He was then given an hour to go through the course and got well over 90% correct.
WHY USING THE KEYWORD METHOD ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
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
This is a complicated question. One study has shown that poor images lead to less retention than rote learning, but that good images result in better retention! For our Linkword courses we tested and tested, dropping out images that did not lead to very high levels of retention. Only when the evidence of a number of studies (see above) showed that our images were working for the vast majority of people, did we go public.
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.
Another factor making Linkword courses unique is that the author of Linkword Dr Michael Gruneberg, has published a large number of studies in refereed journals showing the effectiveness of his Linkword courses. We know of no other language course where performance levels have been published to show that any claims we make are based on evidence. Not only have the studies shown how fast is learning with Linkword, but how much more enjoyable learning is as well and how much it boosts confidence.
For further information on Linkword courses, including free demos of 15 languages, go to
Languages courses are available for PC/Mac/MP3/ Android and iOS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF LINKWORD, DR MICHAEL GRUNEBERG
Dr Gruneberg’s background is as a university academic psychologist with an interest in memory and memory improvement. He has published a large number of research papers and books on Memory and Memory improvement and two popular books on memory improvement with his colleague, Professor Doulas Herrmann of Indiana State University.
He is a former President of the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, an international learned society. He has been involved in a number of broadcasts for the BBC, including writing the original script for the BBC QED programme, THE MAGIC of MEMORY and was the scientific consultant for the BBC series on Unforgettable Memory.
For a list of relevant publications on Linkword by Dr Gruneberg go to:
www.linkwordlanguages.com/evidence-it-works/
* Krug et al. (2002) A test of foreign language acquisition. Applied Cognitive Psychology .16, 211-221
Sharing a love of language (and the language of love)…
If paying attention to our Facebook and Twitter channels over the past 14 days you will have noticed that we have been bouncing through a riot of colour and wonderful images celebrating some of things that we love about language, culture, people and the places to explore that truly ‘open up’ to us when we are able to communicate effectively in a new language.
Such diversity, from Spanish surrealism (hands up all those who thought Picasso to be French? And yes I did, despite the ‘obvious-after-the-fact Pablo’ clue!) to German architecture, Italian eateries, French gardens and to learning Welsh via a Straining tower (who knew such things existed let alone looking like this…) its been quite a journey already.
Along the way we have met new friends (you know who you are) and have helped a whole bunch of happy people to embark on their own Spring language learning journey.
We were especially thrilled to have helped a young lad to begin learning Portuguese in order that he could better chat with the new girl in his school class who doesn’t yet speak much English! *aww* A wonderful example of the true power of language learning and yet another reminder of why we love doing what we do here at Linkword.
We are of course incredibly proud of the academic learning and science upon which all our courses are built, without it three quarters of a million people, and counting… would not have been able to have quickly learned and remembered their new language. But. It really is all about what people do with their new communication skills that inspires us. We love to hear of what people are hoping to achieve with their new language and even better, to share in your success stories.
If you have been toying with the idea of learning a new language for some time or now have a pressing need to quickly absorb some new vocabulary and grammar in a hurry, then please get in touch and we will be delighted to help in any way we can!
Our favourite example from the past week is the young man who is travelling to Florence in May to meet and speak with a charming young lady he met in London recently – at which point he wasn’t able to speak a single word of Italian! We are all romantics at heart and are happy to report that he is already up to 400+ plus words and well on the way to completing level 2 Linkword! We hope to be receiving our Tuscan wedding invitations soon…
So, back to business, it is already day 15 of our ’30 days of language’ series. To take part, like, love, follow, retweet or in any other way have some fun with language and with Linkword then visit Facebook or Twitter and who knows what you might win and what new stories we will all have to tell!
Evidence from 2 studies on how Linkword helps you to learn a language three times faster than normal
Learning Spanish: How a class of Thomson Holiday executives learned in 12 hours what normally takes 40 hours when they used Linkword!
LINKWORD BOOSTS LEARNING SPANISH OF TRAVEL EXECUTIVES BY OVER 300%: A CASE STUDY
Reported in an article published in the Language Learning Journal
THE THOMSON HOLIDAY STUDY
Five Thomson holiday executives were presented with the Linkword Language course by a teacher reading the Linkword Script. After 12 hours of teaching (Spread over 3 days) the executives were tested by a consultant employed at that time by Berlitz. He was not told of the method of teaching but was presented with the vocabulary and grammar taught and he tested the executives for over half an hour mostly in a question and answer session held in Spanish.
Peter Marsh, the training Manager at Thomson holidays reported to the Financial Times .It took around 12 hours to teach them about 400 words and as basic grammar, a regime that would normally take about 40 hours using traditional techniques. At the end of the three day course we were amazed , particularly at the 98% recall and the high level of motivation of the managers concerned. The managers made no mistakes in finding the English equivalents of Spanish words and only four minor mistakes in translating from English to Spanish.
Learning Spanish: How a class of poor language learners were able to use Linkword to learn Spanish and vastly improve their exam performance
LINKWORD GIVES PUPILS A BOOST IN LEARNING SPANISH: A CASE STUDY
Reported in an article published in the Language Learning Journal
THE BISHOP VAUGHAN SCHOOL STUDY
A B stream class of second year pupils learning Spanish used the Linkword Spanish Language course. The pupils has one session per week and another session using conventional teaching methods, for one term. A different vocabulary was taught in each session.
An end of term test administered by Mr Vernon Thomas, head of Languages, found the mean vocabulary score on Spanish following conventional teaching was 23.5% but 69% for the vocabulary taught using Linkword. One pupil out of 16 passed with conventional teaching, 14 out of 16 passed with Linkword Teaching.
Mr Thomas reported to the Western Mail that the performance of pupils with low Linguistic ability was considerably higher using Linkword than with conventional methods.
Retention of foreign vocabulary learned using the keyword method: a ten-year follow-up.
- Alan Beaton, University of Wales, Swansea
- Michael Gruneberg, University of Wales, Swansea
- Nick Ellis, University of Wales, Bangor
Abstract
This article assesses one individual’s level of recall for foreign vocabulary learned ten years previously using the keyword method. Without any revision at all, he remembered 35% of the test words with spelling fully correct and over 50% with only very minor errors of spelling. After 10 minutes spent looking at a vocabulary list, recall increased to 65% and 76% respectively. After a period of revision lasting a further 1½ hours, recall was virtually 100%. This level of recall was maintained for at least one month. The results indicate 1) that the keyword method (as incorporated in Linkword courses) may be used to learn a large list of vocabulary; and 2) this method of learning is not inimical to retention in the long term. Some theoretical aspects of the findings are discussed.
Learning French: How a class of poor language learners were able to use Linkword to learn French and vastly improve their exam performance
The use of Linkword Language Computer Courses in a classroom situation: A case study at Rugby School.
Steffen Sommer & Michael Gruneberg
The Language Learning Journal
Volume 26, Issue 1, 2002
DOI: 10.1080/09571730285200231
This paper presents a case study of the implementation of a Linkword Language Course — French to a class of 13-year-old pupils at Rugby School. The class was selected because they were the weakest at French, performed poorly in examinations, and had problems in terms of motivation and enjoyment of French. The result of introducing a computer version of Linkword French as a complementary learning aid to the standard text and classroom work was that after seven months, following the end-of-year examination, a quarter of the class was promoted to the class above, a move that could not have been expected otherwise. The results of a questionnaire revealed that the great majority of pupils found the course easier and faster than conventional methods of learning. Rugby School, as a result of the study, has continued the use of the Linkword courses, partly at the request of the pupils.
The study above, published in a refereed journal showed conclusively that using Linkword had a marked effect on helping people struggling with learning French to succeed where before they failed. No other language company has published evidence that their course can do the same.
Dr Michael Gruneberg
Linkword Languages
