The IDYLL METHOD® - Front page

The IDYLL METHOD^® is a learning system which helps motivated adults to learn any foreign language, enjoy their studies, and remember 90% for as long as it is useful. We utilise the most advanced results of research in the field of learning psychology and memory techniques. Dr Klaus Bung, who, through this website, makes this academic work accessible to the general public, is affectionately known as "the language doctor". Visit this website every week to find out what is new, and tell your friends about it. There is something here for almost everybody.

Tips for adults learning a foreign language

You will find on these pages information about a system that was very successfully propagated in Germany a few years ago, but disappeared as a result of a take-over. We will now gradually reconstruct the information and refine its presentation. Eventually the information will be compiled in a book about the subject.
We start with a series of tips, which will be helpful to learners even if they do not yet have access to the complete, comprehensive and extremely balanced, system.

Uncategorised articles

New (2012-06-09 )

Klaus Bung: The spelling of English names

Somebody asked how to handle English names which he hears on audio-recordings. He knows some by ear but cannot spell them and he has not heard some ever before. Without knowing the spelling he cannot look them up in a dictionary, even if a dictionary existed. What to do?

New (2012-03-24)

Klaus Bung: The meaning of "may"

The word "may" can have many meanings. One of them indicates that something is possible but you are not sure, the possibility-may: "I do not know what happened to my cat. She may be dead by now." Another meaning of "may" has to do with "permission": "May I go to the theatre tonight?", the permission-may. This essay explores the possibility-may. Just for fun, watch this: my + a, may + n, many

New (2012-03-18)

Klaus Bung: Using punctuation to avoid ambiguities

Some half-educated native speakers of English have argued that punctation (e.g. use of commas) does not matter, or that there are no reliable rules for English punctuation. Neither of these assertions is true. Punctuation does matter, there are reliable rules of correct and incorrect punctuation, but these can be overridden in specific cases (so specific that they cannot be covered by purely formal rules), when commas are used specifically to avoid ambiguities or to control intonation (spoken presentation). This essay investigates one such case in detail..

New (2012-03-08)

Klaus Bung: Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me, or: How universal are "Please" and "Thank you"?

A visitor to England was so astonished by the frequent use of "Please" and "Thank you" that he enquired why an English general has to say "Please" when he requests his soldiers to attack. In this essay we explore the use of these words in English and in other cultures. You will also learn why it is sometimes a good idea to hold hands with the policeman who arrests you (but not if you are a woman), where to kiss your girlfriend in peace and quiet when it is forbidden by the religious police (or the inquisition) and why 350 words of Arabic can be immensely useful.

New (2012-03-01)

Klaus Bung: The bit between her teeth. Essay on English idioms

This is an article about women who can't be stopped talking, like the Shrew in Shakespeare's play "The Taming of a Shrew", about men who are sure of victory, about Chaucer's "Wife of Bath" who had all her five (consecutive) husbands under her thumb, of armies who scent victory and cannot be stopped by their thoughtful generals from attacking, of horses who are scared and bolt, of run-away trains and run-away toboggans, of mobs which are out of control, of daughters who get married against their fathers' wishes. What do they all have in common - the self-confident women, the horses who run away in fear, and the armies which fearlessly charge to victory, the trains and toboggans which cannot be stopped? They all have the bit between their teeth. This essay explains how such an absurdity is possible, at least in English.

Posted on 2012-02-08

Klaus Bung What's in store for me tonight? Essay on English idioms

"tonight" is a strange expression in English because it usually means "in the evening" and not "during the night". "What's in store" usually means "what is going to happen" and not "What goods are in stock in a certain shop". This essay explores, with the help of many examples, how these expressions are used and discusses many other English idioms besides.

Posted on 2011-10-04

Klaus Bung: If you are pleased, I am satisfied

An essay about expressions of praise and disapproval in various contexts and about the wide variety of meanings of the word "satisfied", with examples taken from English literature.

Posted on 2011-09-26

Klaus Bung: "You make my mouth water, darling". What does this English idiom mean and how is it used in English literature.

Posted on 2011-04-16

Klaus Bung: How to learn any language and remember 90%. A practical guide
to the IDYLL® METHOD™

Posted on 2011-03-30

Klaus Bung: German is easy: Lesson 1 to Lesson 4

The very first lesson of a new course for absolute beginners. 52 lessons are planned. We will upload each new lesson when it is ready. Visit this site regular to see what is new.

Posted on 2011-03-17

Klaus Bung: Language Learning with Programmes. An algorithm which controls the assimilation of spoken language exercises.

Posted on 2011-03-03

Klaus Bung: Principles of an algorithm which facilitates the learning of Sanskrit vocabulary and grammar, and ensures 90% retention

Posted on 2011-01-05

Klaus Bung: TRAM: How to learn understand English (or any other language) spoken fast. Version: Alpha Test 03. 2011-01-06 - Comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Posted as from 2010-12-04

Klaus Bung: Frequently asked questions on the IDYLL METHOD^®

Posted on 2010-11-30

Klaus Bung: Cartesian Language Learning

Posted as from 2010-08-25

Klaus Bung: Essays on English idioms

This series started on 2010-08-25. Further essays will be added at regular intervals. Check the page every ten days to see if there is anything new.

Posted on 2010-08-14

Klaus Bung: From word to discourse: A lesson with SENTAL, or: How to absorb new vocabulary and grammar

Posted on 2010-08-07

Klaus Bung: "Help for intermediate and advanced language learners: How to eradicate your mistakes systematically" (SENTAL)

Posted on 2010-07-08

Dr Prabhu Shastry: "Learn to chat in Sanskrit" (with many useful links to resources, Sanskrit chatrooms, news broadcasts and newspapers in Sanskrit, and offer of conversational Sanskrit courses in the UK)

Posted on 2010-06-25

Klaus Bung: "What use is Latin?"

English summary of a German newspaper article on the state of Latin learning in Germany's secondary schools. Link to the original article. Discussion of a study to determine whether German students did better in learning Spanish after having learnt Latin or after having learnt French. Klaus Bung explains how he personally benefitted from knowing Latin when learning several other foreign languages. Information about present-day teaching and use of Latin and of Sanskrit as a conversational language. Link to a Latin chatroom.

Posted on 2010-06-22

Klaus Bung: "A stroll amidst the languages of Europe" (The philosophy underlying a series of language courses now being developed by rtc-Books: "At ease in Europe", or: "Passport to Europe")

"Skeletons in the cupboard:
European languages reveal their family secrets"
Find out what names have been invented in English, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Austrian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, Latin, Greek, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit - for common victuals such as apples, tomatoes, oranges, peaches, turkeys, maize and common words for books, emperors, Czars, kings and charlies etc. -- Sheer entertainment with linguistic curiosities, or a great help for people learning foreign languages.

News and links: 2010-06-08 - If a citizen of Pakistan, India or Bangladesh marries a British citizen, she/he has to pass an English language test before her/his spouse visa to the UK is issued.

Posted on 2010-05-30

Klaus Bung: "The foreign language needs of waiters and hotel staff 1" ("The long waiter study"). (First published in 1973 by The Council of Europe")

Posted on 2010-06-07

Klaus Bung: "The foreign language needs of waiters and hotel staff 2" ("The short waiter study"). (First published in 1973 by The Council of Europe")

News and links: Guinea pigs wanted: Can squeals be made human?

Posted on 2010-05-12

Seminar prospectus: More efficient language learning. Languages for business.
27 Questions and answers.

Posted on 2010-05-09

Klaus Bung: "The specification of objectives in a language learning system for adults" (First published in 1973 by The Council of Europe").

Posted on 2010-04-20

Klaus Bung: "The input-output relation in language behaviour" (First published in 1973 by The Council of Europe")

News and links: Chinesisch an einer deutschen Grundschule (Chinese lessons at German primary school). Article in German. 2010-04-20

Posted on 2010-04-08

Klaus Bung: "Inside the shell. Programming and the language laboratory". First published in 1965.

Posted on 2010-04-07

Sample pages of Dr Bung's correspondence course "English for Germans"
/ Probeseiten von Dr Bungs Fernlehrgang "Englisch computer-orientiert" (Christiani Publishers, Konstanz, Germany, 1991)

Posted on 2010-04-03

Klaus Bung: Dynamische Lernalgorithmen (Dynamic Learning Algorithms) (Deutscher text, German text)

Posted on 2010-03-21

German is child's play (List of German and English words closely resembling each other)

Regularities in Hindi-Urdu numerals, or: The Jihad against Number Iblis

Klaus Bung: How to learn numerals (in any language) (to be posted on 30 July 2011)

External links

Nation Brands Index
Which is the best loved country in the world, which is the least loved country in the world.

The death of the last speaker of an ancient language in India's Andaman Islands highlights the fact that half of the world's 7,000 languages are in danger of disappearing. Linguist K David Harrison argues that we still have much to learn from vanishing languages. ...

Johnny (last speaker of HIS native American language) has tried to teach his children and others in the tribe. "Trouble is," he sighs, "they say they want to learn it, but when it comes time to do the work, nobody comes around."

Chapters planned for this site

It will take at least a year to cover all the topics listed.
If you are particularly interested in one of the topics listed below, e-mail The Language Doctor to tell him so, and we will then move this topic up on our list of priorities. Those topics most in demand will be tackled first.

Techniques for intermediate learners

Techniques for advanced learners

Diverse aspects of language learning

Friendly sites

California Teaching
Online degree programs and courses for educators in California, USA

Criminal Justice Degrees
Degree programs in Criminal Justice for those pursuing a law enforcement career

English courses
If you are looking for English courses, this section will provide you the best resources to find the proper English course for you. You will also find many other resources.

English language learning
Improve your knowledge of English by learning new English vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and other English language skills. Useful resources for learners and teachers.

Degree programs from accredited online schools are available through Florida Degrees.

French course in Nice
Specialized in the teaching of French as a foreign language (FLE), our school is amongst the most reputed on the Côte d'Azur. More than 2500 students, representing almost 40 nationalities, choose to come here each year to learn French.

German: Learn German
Our German language CDs make your German language learning an easy task.

Illinois Teacher: www.illinois-teacher.com
Illinois Teacher offers several services to educators in Illinois with a primary focus on online continuing education courses and degree programs.

Italian Learning CDs
Our Italian learning CDs make your Italian language learning task an easy activity.

Language Exchange
Find online partners all over the world, for chat, email or voice exchange: They learn your language, and they help you learning theirs.

Learn English in USA
Learning on an English course in USA provides the advantage of being taught by native English speakers which improves your English language skills in a easy way.

Michigan Teaching Degree
Find teaching degrees for teachers and aspiring teachers in Michigan. Online degrees available.

Nepal travel
Expert and friendly travel agent in Kathmandu arranges travel in Nepal, Tibet, India, Bhutan. Sky Touch Travels & Tours (Pvt) Ltd

Ohio teaching certificate
Find the right degree program to become a certified teacher in Ohio.
Online degrees available.

Online Education
360 Education Solutions is a leader in online education / distance learning.

Organist
available in Lancashire, UK, (Blackburn, Darwen, Preston, Burnley, Clitheroe, Bury, Whalley, and nearby) ad hoc to step into the breach when your regular organist is indisposed, on holidays or while you are searching for a permanent organist.

Pennsylvania Teaching
Pennsylvania Teaching is a great career resource for educators in Pennsylvania looking to continue their education.

Spanish in Spain
Spanish language school in Alicante, Enforex, Spain. Courses for adults and for students. City of the Spanish Levant, Alicante has a magnificent location on the shores of the Costa Blanca, dazzling with light. The school has different courses and many accommodation and leisure opportunities.

Spanish Learning CDs
Our Spanish learning CDs will make your Spanish learning task an easy activity.

How to learn a foreign language, enjoy it and remember 90%