Effective for Foreign Language Learning! How to Start Sodoku with AI and Tips for Staying Consistent
Jan. 26, 2026

Have you ever tried "Sodoku"?
Sodoku is a traditional study method that has been practiced in Japan since the Edo period.
A study method that "prioritizes sound over understanding," Sodoku is an old yet new learning technique.
It can also be utilized for studying foreign languages, including English.
Until now, unlike regular reading aloud, Sodoku could not be done alone.
But now, using the latest AI, it is possible to practice Sodoku all by yourself!
In this article, we will explain the basics of Sodoku, its differences from reading aloud, and detailed methods for practicing Sodoku effectively.
Why don't you use this article as a guide and start Sodoku for adults?
Increase the effectiveness of Sodoku for adults! Recommended AI reading service
For those who want to start Sodoku for adults, we recommend "Ondoku".
"Ondoku" is a latest AI reading service that can read text aloud using high-performance AI.
It can read aloud Sodoku materials for adults with clear, easy-to-hear audio like that of a professional narrator or announcer.
Furthermore, "Ondoku" can be used for free.
Since you can read up to 5,000 characters for free, you can quickly create effective audio materials for your daily Sodoku practice at no cost.
Why not use "Ondoku" to start your Sodoku practice for adults?
What is Sodoku? A detailed explanation of methods, effects, and differences from reading aloud

For those who want to start Sodoku for adults, first, we will explain what the method is like, what kind of materials to use, and what effects it has.
What is Sodoku? Key points of an effective learning method from the Edo period

Have you ever heard the word "Sodoku"?
Actually, this study method is an effective learning technique that has existed for a long time.
Sodoku refers to a learning method of reading text aloud.
By not just following with your eyes but actually reading aloud, you learn the rhythm and pronunciation of words through your body.
In old Japan, Sodoku was widely used when learning Kanbun (Classical Chinese) and the classics.
子曰、学而不思則罔、思而不学則殆。
The Master said: "To learn without thinking is vanity; to think without learning is dangerous."
In Sodoku, which was widely practiced at temple schools (Terakoya) during the Edo period, students would read such classics following their teacher.
The text of this material is "The Analects of Confucius," a compilation of the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
At that time, the Four Books (Chinese classics), such as "The Analects," were the main teaching materials.
But actually, Sodoku can be used for more than just the classics!
Sodoku is a recommended study method for foreign languages, including English.
Why on earth is Sodoku so effective for foreign languages?
Sodoku is a study method that "prioritizes sound before understanding"

Children at that time acquired language by first reading the text aloud and repeatedly reading it aloud before fully understanding the meaning.
The characteristic of Sodoku lies in "prioritizing sound over understanding."
When we learn our native language, we don't start speaking by understanding grammar and word meanings from the beginning, do we?
It must have started with listening to and imitating the words of the adults around us.
Sodoku can be described as a learning method close to that natural language acquisition process.
That is why Sodoku is effective for foreign language learning.
It is particularly ideal for cultivating pronunciation, intonation, and a sense of rhythm.
Also, by repeatedly reading aloud, sentence structures and vocabulary naturally stick in your memory.
The great appeal of Sodoku is that you can acquire a language with your whole body using your mouth and ears, not just understanding it with your head.
What are the 3 benefits of Sodoku for adults as an effective method?
There are many benefits to Sodoku for adults.
While Sodoku was performed by children at temple schools in the Edo period, it is actually effective for adults too!
We will introduce the important points and effects of what benefits adults get from practicing Sodoku.
1. Stimulates the brain. Sodoku is a new way of learning that even adults can start

Sodoku for adults has the effect of stimulating the brain and maintaining a state of mental clarity.
Naturally, as we become adults, the frequency of starting new studies tends to decrease.
That's why we recommend Sodoku.
Sodoku has the effect of stimulating the brain by focusing on sound.
Engraving the classics from the material into the brain as sound is a first-time sensation that modern adults have never experienced in their lives.
By starting Sodoku for adults, parts of the brain that were not being used are stimulated, allowing you to maintain a clear state and take on challenges in work and study.
2. Improve foreign language pronunciation and speaking skills!

Just studying grammar and vocabulary with textbooks doesn't easily lead to being able to actually speak, does it?
In such cases, Sodoku is recommended!
You can learn the rhythms, intonations, and pronunciations unique to foreign languages through your body.
By continuing Sodoku, your pronunciation will first improve naturally.
By imitating and reading while listening to native audio, you can experience fine differences in pronunciation that you wouldn't notice just by studying normally.
For example, differences between "r" and "l" in English, which are hard to acquire just by reading explanations in textbooks, can be naturally mastered through Sodoku.
Additionally, how to pause sentences and which parts to emphasize are also acquired through Sodoku.
When speaking a foreign language, where to take a breath and which words to pronounce strongly differ greatly from your mother tongue.
By repeating Sodoku, you can naturally acquire that sense of rhythm unique to the language.
"Shadowing," which is highly effective for language study including English, is also a study method very close to Sodoku.
3. Acquire the classics and improve your level of culture

Not only for foreign language learning, the traditional Sodoku that has continued since the Edo period is of course recommended!
In traditional Sodoku, the Four Books, which are Chinese classics, are read aloud as teaching materials.
A major benefit is the effect of increasing your cultural knowledge by knowing the classics.
Today is an era where cultural literacy for adults is required even in business.
Compared to people knowledgeable in history or Western classics, there are not many who have mastered the Four Books such as the Analects.
If you want to acquire Eastern classics as adult culture, Sodoku, a traditional study method, is the best.
By practicing Sodoku with an effective reading method, you can set yourself apart from others with your cultural knowledge.
How to do Sodoku for adults even alone! What is the recommended reading method?

It's okay!
Now that AI has advanced, you can actually start Sodoku for adults all by yourself!
From here, we will explain the method for starting Sodoku alone even without a teacher.
A new way to do Sodoku for adults using AI reading services

The Sodoku performed in the Edo period was a method where a teacher would read a classic as a teaching material, and the student would read it aloud after listening to that.
Therefore, to practice Sodoku, a teacher was needed to read the classical material aloud.
However, when incorporating Sodoku for adults into daily life, it is difficult to have a teacher read the materials aloud for you.
There is a recommended method for that.
It is to utilize the latest AI services!
With the advancement of AI technology, unlike previous automatic reading, it has become possible to automatically read Sodoku classical materials with very realistic voices.
Using an AI reading service is very easy.
Anyone can create audio just by inputting the content of the classical teaching materials.
By using an AI reading service, you can have your very own Sodoku teacher.
Recommended AI reading service for Sodoku for adults: "Ondoku"
"Ondoku" is a recommended AI reading service for those who want to start Sodoku for adults.
The greatest feature is that it can easily read text aloud just by inputting it.
Since you can easily read Sodoku materials aloud, you can start Sodoku alone without a teacher.
With high performance unique to the latest AI, it can read aloud with easy-to-hear voices like those of professional announcers or narrators.
You can focus solely on practicing Sodoku while listening to the sound.
And "Ondoku" is free!
Since you can read up to 5,000 characters for free, you can get the audio for your teaching materials right now when you decide you want to start Sodoku.
If you are starting Sodoku for adults from now on, "Ondoku" is recommended.
Why don't you effectively start your Sodoku for adults with "Ondoku"?
What is Sodoku for adults starting with AI? Detailed explanation of methods

By using an AI reading service, Sodoku for adults can be started easily right now.
Here, we will explain in detail how to start Sodoku using "Ondoku" and the steps involved.
1. Prepare Sodoku materials

First, prepare the materials to be used for Sodoku.
When starting Sodoku, choosing appropriate materials is important.
To practice Sodoku effectively, the key is to choose materials that match your level.
For beginners, it is recommended to start with short sentences or basic expressions. Once you get used to Sodoku, gradually step up to longer texts or materials with complex content.
When choosing materials, selecting texts in a field you are interested in will make it easier to continue.
Since it is important to perform Sodoku repeatedly, choose materials with content that you can enjoy.
The point is to choose materials that make it easy to turn Sodoku into a habit, such as guidebook texts if you like traveling or movie scripts if you like movies.
2. How to read classical materials aloud with "Ondoku"
Once you have prepared the text for the material, read it aloud on the "Ondoku" page.
Open the "Ondoku" page from here.
Paste the text you want to be read aloud into the text box.

Select the language.

Select the voice.

*You can listen to samples of the voices available for reading on Ondoku here.
Now you're ready!
Press the "Read Aloud" button to start reading.

The reading process will be completed shortly.
Once the process is finished, the screen will switch and an audio player will be displayed.
If there are no problems after listening, press the download button to save the MP3 file.

Now you have obtained the audio for your Sodoku materials with "Ondoku".
This is how you can solve it.
3. Start Sodoku with the audio created in "Ondoku"!
Now you have created the audio for Sodoku!
Let's start Sodoku right away.
Basic flow of Sodoku

The basic method of Sodoku is to first listen to the sample audio, and then follow by reading it aloud yourself.
Initially, read aloud while looking at the text, and once you get used to it, progress to repeating it just by listening to the audio without looking at the text.
In Sodoku, the key is to prioritize rhythm and intonation over accuracy.
Specific Sodoku method
The specific steps for Sodoku are as follows.
First, listen to the audio of the material all the way through to grasp the overall flow.
Next, divide it into short phrases and try to pronounce them in the same way immediately after hearing the audio.
At this time, what is important for Sodoku is to imitate the native rhythm and intonation as accurately as possible.
The trick to increasing effectiveness in Sodoku is to do it repeatedly.
By reading the same text aloud many times, natural pronunciation and rhythm will gradually be acquired.
Make Sodoku a daily habit so that you can continue without overexerting yourself.
Even 10 minutes a day is fine.
Continuous practice of Sodoku leads to a definite improvement in language skills!
Combining with shadowing is also recommended

Once you get used to Sodoku, challenge yourself with advanced methods combined with shadowing.
Shadowing is a learning method where you pronounce along just behind the audio, like a shadow.
By combining Sodoku and shadowing, you can train more practical listening and speaking skills.
How to do shadowing
In shadowing, once you play the audio, you speak the same content with a delay of 0.5 to 1 second.
It requires concentration, but you can simultaneously train your real-time comprehension and speaking abilities.
Also, to further develop Sodoku, there is a method of gradually increasing the audio speed.
First practice Sodoku at normal speed, and once you get used to it, gradually speed up to 1.2x, 1.5x, etc.
By making Sodoku progressively more difficult in this way, you acquire the ability to handle actual conversation speeds.
Please also see this article about shadowing.
Common failures in Sodoku and tips for improvement
Finally, we will briefly explain tips to avoid failure in Sodoku.
Common mistakes in Sodoku and their solutions

A common failure in Sodoku is giving up because of an inability to continue.
To prevent this, it is important to start with a reasonable time setting.
For Sodoku, starting with about 5 minutes and gradually increasing the time will make it easier to continue.
Try to practice Sodoku every day, even for a short time, until it becomes a habit.
How to maintain motivation for continuing Sodoku

To continue Sodoku for a long period, maintaining motivation is important.
One effective method is to record your own Sodoku and compare them by listening regularly.
By making the results of Sodoku visible, it becomes easier to stay motivated.
Adding variation to Sodoku is also a trick to continue without getting bored.
Don't just stick to the same materials; try Sodoku using various sources like movie lines or song lyrics.
■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"
"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.
- Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
- Available from both PC and smartphone
- Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
- No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
- Supports reading from images
To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.
Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com
"Ondoku" is a Text-to-Speech service that anyone can use for free without installation. If you register for free, you can get up to 5000 characters for free each month. Register now for free
