Forbrain Review – How We Teach a Foreign Language with a Twist

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on WhatsApp
• Email this Page

---

I’ve been eager to dive into the topic of how we teach a foreign language in our homeschool. Learning a language, or even several, holds immense benefits, and I’m a firm believer in its value. However, before delving into that, I want to introduce you to a tool that, until recently, Didn’t even know existed.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover language acquisition tools that significantly enhance learning and retention. I’m thrilled to share this find with you! In just a short time, we’ve seen remarkable progress in Marc’s language skills, including his pronunciation and overall fluency. What’s most astounding is how effortlessly this tool integrates into our home learning environment.

So today I’ll share our personal experiences with Forbrain, an innovative device designed to improve speech, attention, and memory.

We’ve been using Forbrain for about a month now to boost my son’s German skills, in conjunction with the Rosetta Stone program.

So let’s dive into the full Forbrain review!

This is a sponsored post. I was given the product to review and I might have been compensated for my time. I would never endorse or recommend programs we wouldn’t use ourselves. Read more about it in my Disclosure.

Pin this image to read the article later 📌

Language acquisition and how to teach a foreign language – What about it?

The way children pick up languages is really amazing. They start learning from a very young age and keep getting better as they grow. Kids are naturally good at learning new languages, and their brains soak up language really well. Plus, there’s something important we often overlook: how crucial it is for them to hear things clearly and get feedback on how they’re speaking.

“Human language is based on an acoustically transmitted signal. The successful language learner needs to decode the linguistic content of a complex auditory signal into its component units and their relation to each other, thus deriving words and rules..“

Mueller, Jutta L et al. “Auditory perception at the root of language learning.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 109,39 (2012): 15953-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1204319109

Teaching a foreign language to Marc right from infancy has been a real eye-opener for us, showing just how powerful it is to start early and immerse him in the language. Kids have this amazing talent for picking up languages just from what they hear and see around them, and Marc’s no exception.

By consistently using two languages in his daily life, I’ve seen for myself how effortlessly he’s picked them both up. This method of teaching a foreign language has played a big part in shaping his impressive language abilities.

When Marc decided to learn German as his third language, I was excited to apply the same successful approach we used for his other languages. But I quickly realized how tough it is to create an immersive learning environment in a language I don’t know myself. Without my own knowledge of German, it was hard to give Marc the kind of rich, everyday language experiences that are key to learning a new language well.

Finding the right tutor for Marc turned out to be quite a journey. We met with several, but none really believed in the immersive approach that I value – learning by being surrounded by the language, using it regularly, and repeating it, rather than just memorizing words. Understanding this made me come to terms with the fact that learning German might be a slower process than I had hoped. Nonetheless, I stayed determined to find the best way for us to tackle this challenge.

Faced with the challenge of effectively teaching German, I turned to the next best option available Rosetta Stone. Marc has been using it since 6th grade, and it’s been a year of remarkable progress. Rosetta Stone has been fantastic for Marc’s language learning, but there were times when I sensed we needed something more, a tool that could really take his learning to the next level.

In my mission to give Marc the best possible setting for learning languages, I was focused on finding a way to make the most out of the 20-30 minutes he spends each day on German. I wanted every minute to count and really contribute to his language development. That’s when I discovered Forbrain. This tool has already started to show its impact, and I’m genuinely excited to see the progress Marc will make with it in the coming year!

What is Forbrain?

Forbrain by Sound for Life might look like a simple headset, but it’s a complex piece of technology that’s using our way of learning to enhance retention.

The Forbrain device is built on more than 30 years of research in auditory stimulation. It’s designed to improve important skills like speaking smoothly, understanding better, paying attention, and remembering things. Professionals in speech therapy have used it to help kids with ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia. But it’s not just for therapy – it can also be great for learning a new language, getting a clearer accent, and speaking more clearly.

It’s safe, non-invasive, and incredibly user-friendly, making it a valuable addition to language acquisition and memorization.

 We exist to help people worldwide of all ages to become better learners and communicators through state-of-the-art brain stimulation products.

Forbrain

Forbrain uses a special kind of technology called bone conduction, which is a really interesting way to improve language and speaking skills. Basically, it helps by sending the sound of the user’s own voice straight to their ears. This immediate feedback is really helpful for learning a new language because it lets the learner hear and adjust their own pronunciation and words as they speak.

Forbrain works by boosting how the brain handles sound when we talk. It makes the brain’s processing of what we hear and how we respond to it more efficient while we’re speaking.

Using Forbrain might make the brain pathways that handle hearing and processing words work better. This could lead to improved speaking and communication skills. It’s especially useful for learning languages, in speech therapy, or in any case where it’s important to process sounds well while speaking.

Home use

Forbrain is popular among therapists around the world, but it’s also really easy to use at home. It’s important to remember, though, that Forbrain isn’t a replacement for professional help if your child has speech difficulties or other serious learning challenges.

It’s designed to add to and improve language learning, especially in things like pronunciation, understanding language patterns, building sentences, and learning a new language. In our home, we’ve found it to be a really helpful tool for these areas.

Pricing and shipping

Forbrain offers worldwide shipping with delivery typically taking 3-5 days. The product is backed by an impressive 30-day money-back guarantee and comes with a reassuring 2-year warranty.

And, guess what!

My readers get a special 10% off by using my link:

What’s in the box?

I’m thoroughly impressed with the exceptional packaging and overall product quality.

Inside the box, you’ll find not only the Forbrain device but also an extra microphone, ensuring your voice is heard clearly while interacting or reading with your kids.

The kit also comes with a jack that can be plugged into audio devices, perfect for directing your kids’ attention to specific audio content.

For your convenience, the package includes informative booklets to get you started, offering all the essential information you need. You’ll also discover a charging cable and spare parts for the microphones, ensuring your Forbrain experience remains smooth and uninterrupted.

For a quick unboxing, check out my video on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura 🍁 Homeschooling mom (@themonkeyandmom)

Forbrain review for language acquisition – Our experience with Forbrain

Teaching a foreign language that I don’t personally speak in our homeschooling has been a challenging task. Marc was enthusiastic about learning it, but I wanted to ensure that he not only grasped the language but also developed an authentic accent and an understanding of language patterns. That’s where Forbrain stepped in.

We integrated Forbrain into our daily homeschool routine for learning German, dedicating about 15 minutes each day to its use.

The device’s patented dynamic filter and bone conduction technology are delivering auditory feedback directly to Marc’s inner ear, creating an instant connection between his speech and his perception of it. This heightened self-awareness allowed Marc to fine-tune his pronunciation and identify speech patterns, leading to quick improvements in his German.

One important Forbrain feature for us is the additional microphone and jack. We simply plug the jack into the computer and the native speakers deliver German to Marc in a way that stimulates his brain to retain both the information and the inflections, accents, and patterns of the language.

Accommodation

I’ll be honest; it took a bit of time for us to adapt to this new device. Marc, being primarily an auditory learner, found the experience quite different. He mentioned that certain sounds, like the letter ‘p,’ initially seemed more pronounced than usual, which required some getting used to.

However, after the initial adjustment period, he has wholeheartedly embraced Forbrain in his daily German lessons and is now using it with enthusiasm.

No more mumbling words

He is now more mindful about his pronunciation and sentence structure because he’s constantly “hearing himself” clearly. German has a reputation for its complex sounds, and for a non-native speaker, words with guttural ‘r’s and unique vowel sounds can be particularly challenging.

Before we introduced Forbrain into our language learning routine, Marc often struggled with pronouncing certain difficult words in German.

For instance, words like ‘Frühling’ (spring) and ‘Brötchen’ (rolls) were giving him trouble. He would often mumble or mispronounce these words, which affected his overall clarity when speaking German.

However, since we started using Forbrain, we’ve noticed a remarkable improvement. This new technology has made him more self-aware of his pronunciation. Now, he’s become more mindful about each sound in these difficult words.

For example, ‘Frühling’ went from a mumbled ‘Fuh-ling’ to a clear ‘Fr-uh-ling,’ and ‘Brötchen’ transformed from ‘Brr-uh-chin’ to a precise ‘Br-er-tchen.’ In just a month he’s already developed a heightened sensitivity to the nuances of German sounds, and this improvement has extended to other challenging words as well. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Boosted the German curriculum

While Rosetta Stone provided an immersive curriculum for foreign language learning, Forbrain added a layer of personalization and enhancement to Marc’s experience, which helped him become more confident in his use of the language.

The combination of both tools proved to be a powerful synergy. Marc’s engagement with the Rosetta Stone lessons was heightened, and his retention of new vocabulary and grammar rules significantly improved.

He’s now blurting out German words or expressions randomly throughout the day. This is a clear sign he is retaining more information and he is now able to recall words and expressions more readily than before.

Forbrain’s dynamic filter and bone conduction technology also manage to keep Marc more focused for the time he spends using it, reducing distractions, and aiding clearer thinking and retention.

Even he noticed he is doing so much better in German especially when he needs to read-aloud sections of text. Rosetta has a speech recognition feature that grades students on their pronunciation which has significantly improved for Marc! He was so happy to see he is now hitting 95-100% on new words he is reading for the first time! Here’s what he said:

I like using Forbrain because it helps me finish my German lessons faster and my reading has improved. I had to read (new) words several times before I got the 100% but now I can do it the first time around. I will keep using Forbrain for learning German.

Marc

The benefits of using Forbrain for language learning

Forbrain‘s impact on language learning goes beyond simple speech improvement. Here are some of the key benefits we’ve observed in our journey:

Enhanced phonemic awareness

Forbrain focuses on phonemic awareness, which is crucial for learning how to speak. When Marc hears his own voice in real-time through the device, he becomes more aware of the different sounds in speech. This helps him to better recognize and tell apart various speech sounds, leading to improvements in how he pronounces words, his articulation, and his overall ability to work with sounds in language.

Improved speech fluency

Forbrain’s special bone conduction technology sends sound vibrations straight to Marc’s inner ear. This gives him immediate feedback on how he sounds, helping him hear his own voice more clearly and accurately. With this improved self-awareness, Marc has been able to work on his pronunciation, pick up on speech patterns, and get better at speaking overall.

Mastering intonation

One of the great things about Forbrain is how it helps learners naturally pick up on intonation and prosody, the ‘music’ of language. It aids in understanding where to place emphasis, how to manage the flow of speech, and choosing the right tone. This leads to better expression of emotions, clearer communication, and more engaging and lively speech. I’m really excited to incorporate Forbrain into our upcoming IEW public speaking curriculum to further enhance these aspects of speaking.

Confidence boost

Forbrain has turned out to be a tool that does more than just improve language skills; it also gives learners the confidence to express themselves dynamically and engagingly.

Apart from the technical side of learning a language, I’ve seen a significant increase in Marc’s self-assurance. The regular feedback from Forbrain, along with the improvements in his pronunciation, articulation, and overall speaking abilities, have really made a difference. As his speech got clearer and more expressive, he became more eager to join in conversations, read more German texts, and use the language more than before.

I believe Forbrain could be an incredible resource for any kids who need a boost in confidence and language usage.

It’s not just us – scientific backing for Forbrain

The effectiveness of Forbrain in language learning isn’t just based on personal stories; it’s supported by scientific research. Various studies have shown its positive impact on skills like auditory processing, reading comprehension, attention, speech, and communication.

For instance:

• Mourid et al.’s study demonstrated that Forbrain can enhance auditory perception in students. This improvement in auditory skills can be a game-changer for educational approaches aimed at boosting phonological awareness, clarity of speech, fluency, and attention.
• Research by Shuxing et al. and Jinju et al. suggests that the cognitive training provided by Forbrain effectively boosts cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and language abilities. It activates brain areas linked to these functions, leading to the development of new neural pathways and cognitive improvement.

I won’t dive deep into the technicalities here, but if you’re interested in exploring more about the scientific evidence behind Forbrain:

Who is Forbrain for?

Forbrain has proven to be an incredibly versatile tool, beneficial for a diverse range of users. In our homeschool it has been instrumental in enhancing Marc’s pronunciation, articulation, and overall mastery of languages.

It’s not just for language learning, though. Forbrain is also helpful for children who are developing their speech skills and for individuals facing speech challenges, including those with ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia.

For public speakers, Forbrain works wonders in improving intonation and prosody, helping them to convey emotions more effectively and keep their audience engaged.

But the benefits go beyond speech improvement. Forbrain also helps in building confidence in communication, a vital skill for anyone wanting to express themselves more clearly and confidently.

As a homeschooling parent, I’ve found Forbrain to be an essential resource that boosts curriculum, enhancing language learning and overall communication skills.

For younger kids, especially those just starting to read, Forbrain can be a game-changer. It enhances their phonemic awareness and supports the development of clear articulation and pronunciation. This early boost in language and speech development lays a solid foundation for their future communication skills.

So let’s see in a nutshell how versatile Forbrain is – it’s not just for kids or students; it’s for everyone!

• Kids: it’s a fantastic tool to boost skills that are critical in their formative years and maximize learning time. From enhancing their reading and memorization capabilities to improving homework quality and communication skills, Forbrain is a comprehensive aide in a child’s educational journey.
• Students: It supports them in their studies, helps refine their speaking abilities, and even aids in performance-related activities, be it in debates, presentations, or theatrical arts.
• Adults: Professionals engaged in diverse fields ranging from corporate sectors to creative arts like performing and language studies can leverage Forbrain to sharpen their professional skills. It’s a tool that enhances communication and cognitive abilities.
• Elderly: It aids in maintaining social interactions, pursuing leisurely activities like reading and singing, and keeps their cognitive faculties in check, contributing to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.
• Special Educational Needs (SEN): For those with learning challenges or speech difficulties, Forbrain is a true lifesaver. It’s instrumental in assisting those with speech-language disorders, auditory processing disorders, attention disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and even in rehabilitation from stroke and brain injuries.
• Therapists and Educators (Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT), SEN Teachers, ADHD Experts, Psychologists, and Coaches): And for all the amazing teachers and therapists out there, Forbrain is great for supporting others to speak, learn, and thrive.

Conclusion

Our experience with Forbrain has really changed how we learn languages at home. It’s been a big help in teaching German, especially when we use it with our regular language lessons.

Forbrain has helped Marc a lot with understanding sounds in words, speaking more smoothly, and getting the tone of his speech just right. This has made a big difference in how he’s learning the language.

For homeschooling families looking for a tool to help with learning languages, understanding sounds in words, and even getting better at reading, Forbrain can be a big help.

If you’re thinking about teaching a foreign language or want to help your kids get better at reading or speaking, I’d suggest trying Forbrain. It’s easy to use and can make a big difference in learning.

What do you think? Are tools like Forbrain useful for homeschoolers? Would you use it? Let me know in the comments—I’m excited to hear your opinions and continue the conversation.

This post may contain affiliate links. By making a purchase through these links, I get a small percentage for the item you bought while the price stays the same for you. Thank you for supporting me.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Read my Disclosure to find out more about how I support my website and how you can help.