The Third Ear

Finding a scientifically-backed language learning book is not easy in the sea of anecdotal, opinion-based self-help books that fill most bookstores. Like many others then, I was pleasantly surprised to find Lonsdale's TED talk, seeming to present a truly effective and practical approach to language learning based on cognitive science. Intrigued to find out more about the science behind it, I bought this book. Unfortunately, my hopes were not fulfilled. The book, while containing interesting ideas, appears to be ambiguous in terms of scientific credibility.To begin with, there's an absence of a reference list to the information cited in the book. This would be fine, as I'm sure Lonsdale did not have an intention to sell fake research or cite nonexistent sources, but the problem arises when a good 75-90% of the book does not sufficiently distinguish between opinion and fact. That is, despite an overall science-y feel to the book with diagrams and all, there is no indication as to whether the information being presented at any moment is anecdotal experience, personal belief, or actual science. Thus, right next to a section on "chunking" - a real scientific phenomenon - is just as likely to be another section on how anyone can attain a native-level accent with enough exposure and practice - a claim which, as far as I can tell, has no evidence to support it. Yet another section mentions children's capacity to learn foreign sounds, only to be followed by the (as far as I'm aware, unsupported) idea that adults can do this equally well. To the book's credit, it states 20 pages in that it has no intention of being an official review of the literature on psycholinguistics, I guess I just wished it would've made this more clear earlier on.Either way, the book has some strengths to it. The small amount of clearly cited research within the book is fascinating: one can attain the same amount of vocabulary as an average college student in the target language if they just learn about four words a day, adults learn foreign grammar as fast as children, et al. There are also a few entertaining personal stories from people trying to learn languages (though a few probably could've been omitted, as mentioned in another review). Overall, I think the book would benefit greatly from a second edition, but until then I would only recommend this to those interested in a more standard, anecdotal approach to language learning that has puts forth curious ideas.

I should start by saying this is a good book to make you focus on what really matters while learning a new language. If you want to learn something new, this is a good title to pick up.That being said, even as someone that speaks english as a second language, i feel this book needed a stronger editor. As you read, you can't help but wonder if the writer hasn't spent too long in China or some other country and lost his touch for english. Not because of his grammar (since he does point out he doesn't even know what "gerund" means), but because he seems to have serious trouble when telling his "anedoctes".Most books use short little "real stories" to make a point, and Lonsdale seems to be attempting the same here. Sadly, he fails more often than not. His storytelling skills are... strange, to say the least. He spoils the ending of his "stories" then goes on and on to reach a "message" that we have already have been told, he tells stories that lead nowhere (the golf story is terrible), he meanders around pointless details and so on and on. He also lingers on telling "funny things" that happened with his children (note to writers - stop mentioning your kids every three pages!) that have barely a connection to the topic being discussed.It's like someone had told Lonsdale it was "a good idea" to add anedoctes to the chapters and he went with it, despite struggling with his storytelling skills. A strong editor would've made sure to get rid of the pointless stories and that the ones that did deserve to stay would be re-written.There are also some ocasional mistakes that no book about foreign languages should ever have: one "anedocte" is about a woman that travels to Brazil to talk to "Amazonian indians". As he talks about this woman, Lonsdale mentions more than once how she went there to "learn Spanish" while living with them.Funny, as i am brazilian, and know for a fact our language is Portuguese.

I've always had a hard time following traditional methods of language learning, as well as with programs like Rosetta stone that require me to learn words in sequence (must know chapter 4 before you can truly understand chapter 10 for example). Reading this book helped me to realize that it's really about listening, paying attention, and trying. Use the words you have and add to it, recite things in your head like a 4 year old until you sound like the people around it. Take your language sword and start swinging it all over until you finally hit something and people start to understand you. Since I started to read this book I've learned more spanish from talking to Spanish people then I did in many years of studying, and feel like no language would be outside of my reach now with the correct approach. It's more of a mental change of perspective than it is a method or a theory, and it is working well for me. Thank you, Chris Lonsdale. :)

This book contains many ideas that are new to me. There are things that we already know, such as the importance of listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, etc. However, the idea of learning to speak first by active interactions and subsequently learning to read and to write is something that worth trying.

This book is great! It shows you how to learn any new language without problems. You just need humor, relaxed mind and a few secrets from the author. First i've seen Chris Lonsdale's talk at TED and i'd been very impressed! Then i decided to read his book. All his technics are not new and when people love to learn languages they use them intuitively. But it is always good to have well structured information in the book form ;) I speak a little English, French and German and i think that the only way to learn a new language is to follow the author's advices! Read this book if you lern new languages - it is very helpful!

I wrote a poor review for the book when I first bought it after just a chapter of so - I was frustrated with what I received to be long-winded personal anecdotes about the authors travels and the people he had met. BUT I picked this book back up again a month later (not sure why) and I soon realised how necessary these anecdotes are. After returning to it with 'fresh eyes' I now have to admit, its really is a fantastic book. It's packed with useful tips and advice (and useful chapter summaries) that have really helped me learn french. I really can't recommend this book enough. I deleted my old review - and have now posted this one. I want to thank the author for this sincere sharing.

Honestly? Wasted time.I bought this book believing that I will learn CONCRETE SKILLS.I was far from truth.I would say that this book is nothing more then expanded common knowledge. It would be more useful reduced to 1/10 of the volume.Just too many, too long, not too interesting stories whilst what is really important... One sentence or two.I got irritated somehow in the middle. I have given this book a chance as I'm really interested in topic of "acceleration" but... This bored me to death and didn't provide too much value.Being able to learn up to 500 words a day...I thought that maybe I will find some more tricks of the trade.It just reminded me of English teacher at school...who was just telling such stories but at the end... didn't teach anything.I am very disappointed.I would rewrite titles from chapters and publish it as a short bullet points report.This would save readers time and give everything convoluted in long boring anecdotes.

OK. I have to be honest I don't really like this book but on the other hand I don't really dislike it either.The author claims that he was a poor language student in school but then went on holiday when he was a teenager and became fluent in French within 6 weeks! He also claims that he can now go to any country and within a few days make himself understood in the local language in most situations. He claims that we can all do this. I find this very hard to believe.However, I would still suggest that you consider reading this book. Despite these outlandish sounding claims, the author of this book clearly does know something about learning languages and there is a lot of interesting information in this book which you may find helpful.I would strongly suggest that you use the "look inside" to check this out for yourself before you place your order!

Well, I can say that is a new and amazing way learn a new language!Gostei, e estou praticando as recomendações.

This book is very practical. I am going to use the concepts taught here especially the concept of expanding the core slowly