The Choice to Learn Through Your Ears in an Age Where You Can't Read Books—A New Form of Reading Expanded by Audiobooks

I am Kumataro Yokoyama, a training instructor and sign language interpreter.

While utilizing AI, I provide information for seniors and introduce books and gadgets.

"I haven't had time to read books lately."

There are many people who feel this way.

Chased by work and housework, the day ends in the blink of an eye. Before I know it, the time I spend looking at my smartphone has increased, and I no longer have the leeway to open a book.

There was a piece of news that offers a hint for this modern dilemma.

The "surprising benefits of audiobooks" discussed by literary critic Kaho Miyake at an Amazon Audible press conference are becoming a hot topic.

A way to solve the problem of "not being able to read books while working"

Speaking of Kaho Miyake, she is known as the author of "Why You Can't Read Books When You're Working."

Among those who read this book,

"I couldn't read it as a paper book, but I was able to listen to the end with Audible"

it seems many such voices were received.

Hearing this, I thought it made perfect sense.

In order to read a book,

・Holding the book

・Following the text with your eyes

・Securing time to concentrate

are necessary conditions.

However, with audiobooks,

・While commuting

・While walking

・While doing housework

・While driving

you can learn.

For busy modern people, the shift from "reading" to "listening" may hold great potential.

To regain the "power of immersion"

Mr. Miyake plans to release his new work, "The Power of Immersion," on Audible.

In modern society, we are constantly connected to something through social media and smartphones.

While we have gained convenience, we may be losing the ability to focus on one thing.

If we have a little free time, we look at our phones.

If a notification comes, we react to it.

Before we know it, hours have passed.

Everyone has had that experience.

That is precisely why the theme of "the power of immersion" is so significant.

Reading, studying, hobbies, and personal growth.

To learn something deeply, you need time to focus and engage with it.

Does it even improve your relationship with your spouse?

What was particularly impressive about this news was the episode involving Mr. Miyake's friend.

That couple, who are friends of mine, say that using Audible has improved their relationship.

They listen to stories while doing chores like washing dishes.

Because they are curious about what happens next, doing chores no longer feels like a burden.

Furthermore, by listening to the same work together while driving, they create common topics of conversation.

The experience of enjoying books together leads to natural communication.

This may seem surprising, but it is a very convincing story.

Just as talking about your impressions after watching the same movie does, sharing the same story brings people closer together.

Perhaps audiobooks have that kind of power as well.

A way of thinking that can also be applied to sign language learning

While reading this news, I felt something that also applies to learning sign language.

When we think of learning, we tend to think:

"I have to sit at a desk and study."

However, in reality, there is not just one way to learn.

Listening to audio materials.

Playing lecture videos.

Listening to news commentary.

Utilizing travel time.

This kind of "learning while doing" is also a perfectly valid form of study.

Of course, there is still a need for time spent focusing intently.

It is important to balance both approaches.

However, in order to increase study time during our busy daily lives, the idea of utilizing spare moments is essential.

It's okay for your relationship with books to change

In the past, reading meant paper books.

Now, there are e-books.

And there are also audiobooks.

Isn't what's important not "which method you use to read," but "engaging with the world of books"?

My eyes get tired.

Printed text is exhausting.

I'm too busy to find the time.

There may be people who have drifted away from reading for reasons like these.

If that's the case, it's worth trying an audiobook at least once.

How we interact with books changes with the times.

However, the value of learning from books, thinking, and enriching your life remains unchanged.

Reading through your ears might just be the catalyst for that.

Original article here

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