An effective method to learn language

The Imitum method starts at the other end of teaching from what is taught in schools or typical language courses. Rather than learning a foreign language by single words with which you later compose sentences and larger segments, it is much more effective to understand a segment (a phrase, a sentence). It is just like a puzzle – you work faster if you know what the final picture will look like. In this way, you use logical memory which is much more effective than mechanical memory (memorising). In higher ages, the logical memory prevails over the mechanical one.

Logical memory works so that it saves individual words in the context of phrases, sentences or simply in connection with a certain theme. Meaningful sentences and logical units, as well as information based on emotional aspects, are more easily saved in the logical memory.

The text material for the Imitum method includes only complete sentences. The sentences are not isolated – they are incorporated in dialogues and wider contexts (in a restaurant, in an office, entertainment or with friends etc). With these, you learn to understand and later to imitate the sentences used in everyday conversations. In these sentences, you learn the vocabulary and subconsciously absorb the grammar.

You not only hear the sentences, you also see them on the monitor for better memory, since most people remember (source: Wikipedia):

The purpose of the Imitum method is to learn to think in a foreign language (without translating into one’s mother tongue).

Where to find the Imitum?

Teaching foreign languages with the Imitum method may be best when used with recent multimedia technologies – on a computer, notebook, netbook, tablet or smartphone.

What the teaching looks like?

While listening to the recording you see highlighted individual words being spoken (like karaoke). You learn how to pronounce the word and its written appearance simultaneously. Each word may be accompanied by a verbatim translation, which replaces the need for a dictionary. Such “translated” sentences help one to understand how a native speaker compiles a sentence, though its grammatical appearance may not always be correct. For better understanding, explanations are added to the translation.

The meaning of the sentence is obvious even from the verbatim translation. In grammatically correct Czech your question would be “Jak se jmenuješ?”, but with the verbatim translations you learn how to think in English.

Instructions for effective learning

Learning with Imitum method is most effective if the following procedure is observed:

1. Understand the principle of the method.
2. Listen to the recordings in the background, for instance when doing other things (passive listening).
3. Listen and read (silently) the text with verbatim translation (active listening).
4. Try to understand the situation and the meaning of the sentences (without seeing the translation).
5. Listen, read the text and repeat – silently first.
6. Repeat the sentences aloud.
7. Study 15 – 20 minutes every day and relax after each lesson.

Universal test portal for English language tests. This portal is non-commercial for those interested in testing as well as for teachers and test authors. Soldiers can also test their knowledge on the same principle - according to STANAG (NATO) standards.