I have had Daniel Tammet's Embracing the Wide Sky (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2009) in my bedside reading pile for a a few months now.  I have picked it up on those those days that I prefer to read fact rather than fiction before I sleep.  It's an easy read, but has made me pause and think a lot, which explains the slow pace, and the fact that there are several fiction books competing for my attention.  Tammet is an autistic savant, a term he uses to describe himself, which, in his case, means that he has an extraordinary memory.

The book is subtitled, "A tour across the horizons of the mind".  He is largely interested in exploring memory as a way of explaining his own skills, but also of exploring what others do.  The book is full of surveys of scientific literature regarding the mind, critical assessments of the most recent research, interesting insights into the strengths and weaknesses in the research carried out on other savants, and personal anecdotes.  He is largely concerned with language acquisition, but does explore other skills, such as mathematics and visual memory, and explores the dubious history behind IQ tests.

He explains that there are three major memory systems:

• "Episodic memory refers to recollection of particular episodes in one's life connected to times and places"
• "Semantic memory describes our ability to remember more general information such as words, facts and ideas," 
• Procedural memory involves our ability to learn skills and acquire habits" (62).

He then continues to discuss how subjective memory is, changing as we gain new experiences whereby our memory of an event becomes altered by our new experiences.  Thus, our present constantly changes our past.  Given that "there may be as many ways to remember a piece of information as there are rememberers" (67) we need to find multiple ways to remember.  As a result, "the single most important part of improving your ability to remember effectively is to encode a learning experience deeply by attending to its meaning" (67).  Helpfully, he provides an example.  If you want to learn the word 'spider' considering how it's spelt isn't useful, it "induces a shallow, non-semantic encoding" (67). Whereas, if you relate it to prior knowledge or reflect on its meaning by asking questions such as, "Is spider a type of animal?", "constitutes a deeper, semantic encoding" (67).  This then "produces high levels of memory performance - an elaborative encoding that allows the person to integrate new information with pre-existing knowledge" (68), and thus improving the recall for that word.  Therefore, sitting in front of that list of vocabulary, spelling the words, rhyming them off is pointless.  What you need to do is engage with their meaning, figure out how you can create an elaborative encoding that links it what you already know and thereby build it into your memory system.

Later on he talks about second language acquisition among adults, which he recognises as more difficult than for a child.  However, he is reassuring in his assertions that there are many ways to do so and to gain fluency.  Interestingly, he cites studies which maintain that early language acquisition is different because the brain treats all languages as one, whereas later learners store the information in separate parts of the brain, and, therefore, requires "different strategies" (110).  Alongside many recent studies that can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3739690.stm and here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/feb/18/bilingual-alzheimers-brain-power-multitasking, which discuss the long term value of learning a language, Tammet tells us that "learning a second language is good for you" (111).  He goes on to describe the benefits for adult and child learners.

Knowing the benefits, he then gives some strategies that we need to employ to get beyond our weaknesses as (adult) learners.  One of these is explaining how to master sounds.  Problems are caused when we "transfer", that is the "interference by previously learned knowledge of new information we acquire" (113), or pronouncing the new language as if it were our first.  As he is not prescriptive, but descriptive, he is telling us what he does.  That is, to make up sentences that repeat the same sound in a sequence, listen to songs, analyse the rules and work them through logically, and parsing the words and combinations for their internal logic (113-4).  His advice is to tackle learning as a task that has to be engaged in logically and using a variety of techniques, which does not mean it cannot be done quickly and efficiently.  He gives multiple examples of how he has learned languages speedily.  It is nonetheless rigorous and demands much imagination, lateral thinking and multiple approaches.

Tammet gives useful examples and explores the area from multiple angles.  This book talks about more than just language acquisition, but for those wanting to learn a language it is very useful.  Additionally, it debunks the idea that a good memory is something that we either  have or don't have, and that his ability, while remarkable, is not superhuman.

What does Audible have?: audio learning

Audible, a review for learning Portuguese

http://www.audible.co.uk/

Having exhausted my local library's audio books, I thought I'd see what's available to purchase online. Here's what Audible.co.uk has to offer. This page is linked to Amazon, I'm not sure if that means that it's a sister company or just a seller on Amazon. I haven't investigated.

Stats first

When you type in 'Portuguese', 33 hits come up. Of these 3 are unrelated to audio courses for language learning: one is the first of a three part novel about an eccentric linguistics professor by Alexander McCall Smith entitled Portuguese irregular verbs; another is Psalms for Leaders in Portuguese; and the final one is Rattapallaz 9, an American (US) poetry magazine. So that leaves 30. For the English speaker there are 9 which bear no relevance as they are published by Dr L’nov and are called variously simply Portuguese or I Speak Portuguese (in the other languages) for Italian/German/French/Japanese speakers. Unless of course you want an extra challenge.

Now that we’ve eliminated these, what of the other 21? They have a problem that many (not all of course, more of that in the future) audio books/podcasts/apps have is that they are specifically for learning for holidays or basic introductory language. What do you do when you are at that tricky false beginner who can read lots but hasn't grasped the aural, but wants to get beyond 'hello' and 'what is the local speciality' level? Portuguese definitely is poorly served as a language. It needs more of everything. Enough of my ranting. So, what does this page offer? Audible lets you listen to a sample of all of their offerings, which is great, and means that you can listen before you buy, and, in the case of some of them get a little giggle. You can decide for yourself which courses tickle your fancy, appeal to your learning style, or suit your needs. I have listened to all and divided these into holiday, introductory, and beginners to intermediate from what I have heard. There are courses which could do with having better clips. The difference as to what they aim to teach you is subtle in some and, there is an overlap in many as none are highly specialist language learning (eg no Portuguese for wave engineers). Therefore, you can take it that all of the audio courses will help you on holiday and most will give you a sense of the basics in Portuguese.

Holiday language (HL)

These are specifically those that are designed for you to learn for or on the way to your holiday. Often these involve a limited cast of characters and situations. Keep it simple seems to be the motto all the way through. A key problem of these can be that they presuppose that every situation is going to predictable and that the person will respond in ways that the tape will suggest.

Introductory courses (IC)

These are sometimes part one of several or simply don’t over identify themselves with a given scenario (eg holidays) but give you a start in the language.

Beginners to Intermediate (BI)

Ones that get you started and then beyond the basics.

Collins 40 minutes Portuguese – they make a grand claim that by listening to this, repeating the words and phrases, you should have no problem getting by. Are all situations that predictable? Music is deeply irritating both grandiose and tinkly, if you can imagine. (IC)

Collins Easy Learning Audio Course – this is like it came from a different company than the previous course. It is much longer, and quite a comprehensive introductory course to Portuguese. There are a variety of speakers and exercises, clear instructions and helpful tips. Would have liked a sample class on Audible. (BI)

BBC Get By in Portuguese and also by the BBC Quickstart Portuguese are clear, straightforward and well articulated with those easy to understand BBC accents and vowel sounds. (IC)

InFlight Portuguese – It may well require a longer flight than it takes to get to Portugal from this end of the world, but maybe you want to go to Mozambique, Madeira or Brazil. This one is very dull and encourages you to listen rather than actively use your language. I’m not sure that those sharing your flight will appreciate you repeating so, it is just a lot of ‘this it how you say this word and what it means’, not useful unless you want to brush up or have a brilliant memory. Maybe use in the hire car on your way around your Portuguese speaking destination. (HL)

Here’s another that suggests that you have to do little to learn Portuguese, and the airplane image on the front (as well as the name) suggest that you will learn on the way. eTicket Portuguese takes it slowly, explains things clearly and repeats, which is very useful. It does claim that you won’t need to take notes, I suppose you can’t if it’s only audio and it doesn’t give you any clues as to Portuguese spelling. I seems to be for those going on the ferry or renting a car and learning while there or just learning at home stuck in traffic vocabulary. Words and phrases are repeated rather slowly. Q&A format. (HL)

Michel Thomas Sample and Introductory Course – there are those who swear by the MT system. He is a psychologist who has devised a method which claims that you don’t have to learn anything off, no memorising or drills or homeworks, just listen to the cds regularly, chill out and follow the instructions. It works for some. I find it hard not to worry and to relax, not for me. (HL)

Vocabulearn: Levels 1 & 2 the samples given just had the repetition of words by a Portuguese woman

followed by a deep male US voice giving the English version. They seem displaced from anything; just random new words. I need contexts to build associations. (BI)

Survival Phrases.com Learn Brazilian Survival Phrases 1-30 and 31-60 breaks the words down and gives the specific cultural context. There is a narrative surrounding your learning. Words are broken down by syllable, as well as said quickly. It builds on association eg with obrigado it suggests that you may feel obligated when you say thank you. It may help some. Too many of these are lists. (HL)

Teach Yourself this is a tried and tested method which comes with or without a book. I have been using the book. The music is a little irritating, but it does plunge you into realistic situations where you don’t know all the vocabulary and prompt you to seek out key information, which is also quite realistic. I’ve used their material in the past and have mixed feeling about the books but the audio seems good and with better supporting material could be much improved. Their music is a little irritating. (BI)

RX: Freedom to Travel Language Series This is a new one on me, language for people with special needs whether they are nutritional, mobility or health related. I have never come across one which came with a health warning before. The sample tells you how to tell your host/ restaurant that ‘I have a food allergy/special diet’ with chill out hippy sounds playing in the background. If this is your language need, I guess this is your course. (HL)

Another with music at its centre is Earworms Rapid Portuguese. I’m drawn to this one as it made me giggle. It is presented in the style of a conversation, with the dialogue and repetitions in rhythm with the music, which is a kind of chill out trance (not an expert on electronic, but strikes me as such). The voices are very friendly and warm which is very appealing. Personally, I think I’d get tired of the music and the loungey style very soon. (IC)

This may change, more may be added. My search was carried out on the 9th of April 2010.