I should warn you that this method is completely different from the
hidden curriculum you have used in the past. Remember, Effortless
English™ doesn’t depend on traditional methods. Instead, it is designed to
follow the natural order of language learning seen with small children.
Babies Know Best
In fact, babies and small children are the best English learners in the world!
They easily learn to speak as a native speaker, with excellent grammar,
vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation. Instead of studying textbooks,
perhaps we should look at babies and how they learn English.
When a baby first starts to learn English, or any language, it mostly just
listens. In fact, for many months, the baby or child will only listen without
any real speaking. This period of listening is called the “silent period” by
linguists. During the silent period, the baby is learning to understand the
language. Of course, when a baby is silently learning the parents do not get
worried. They don’t teach the baby grammar. They don’t get angry if the
baby doesn’t speak.
What do the parents do? They simply talk to the baby using very simple
English. They use actions while they talk. For example, they point to Mom
and say, “mama, mama,” over and over again every day. Eventually the
baby realizes that “mama” is the word for his or her mother.
Eventually, the baby will begin to speak. Perhaps one day they finally say
“mama.” What happens? Do the parents correct the baby’s pronunciation?
Do they try to teach the baby grammar? Of course not. Rather, everyone
goes crazy with happiness because the baby said one correct word (usually
with bad pronunciation). Everyone is smiling and laughing. Speaking
English is a very happy time for the baby!
During the next few years, the baby will continue focusing on listening.
Its speech will gradually become better. The baby will use more words. Its
grammar will improve, even though it never studies grammar rules! The
baby’s pronunciation will improve. And yet, for many years, its listening
