The Listening Approach

The Listening Approach
The method says that any attempt to speak (or even think about language), before automatic speaking comes, will cause damage
and limit final results! In other words, the method uses a very long "silent period".
During the "silent period", students focus only on listening. After 6 - 12 months of intensive listening, students begin to speak
spontaneously and naturally-- without effort and without thinking!
Forced speaking damages adults. Consciously thinking of one’s sentences – with translations, rules, substitutions, or any other kind of
thinking prevents you from speaking like a native.
The reason that children always end up as native speakers is because they learn to speak by listening. And
the reason that adults don’t is because they learn to speak by speaking.
Adults talk too much.

The formula is this: ‘Listen’, ‘Don’t speak’, and ‘Be patient’.
Interesting and understandable listening, and a long "silent period", is the key
to speaking like a native.
だそうです。