Thoroughly Modern Mimi

Months before my trip to France, I began listening to a CD known as earworms : a musical brain trainer.  My goal: to become familiar with basic words and common phrases.   

I readily admit I struggle with foreign language; found French torturous in high school and college. My brain just doesn’t want to think in another tongue.  

But, I gave earworms a try.  I played the oral lessons, really more like rhythmic tunes, in my office.  I honestly didn’t study or concentrate on the CD’s.  However, I listened to volumes 1 and 2 many times. 

 Guess what? 

When I got to France, I actually comprehended some conversation. Menus could be deciphered with a reasonable amount of certainty. Of course, I confidently ordered a coffee or a bottle of wine since those were the first things I mastered. My grasp of basic phrases seemed automatic, almost magical. 

One morning a waiter spoke to me, just rattling along and when he finished, I casually replied with my room number– in French.  My daughter looked at me stunned.  How did you understand all that, she wondered? 

And..frankly, I did too.  Must have been those earworms! 

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I sincerely recommend earworms. 

Visit www.earwormslearning.com.  

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