What is Sodoku? Benefits and methods explained simply for adult learning

I want to know how to do Sodoku! I wonder if I can do it alone...

Have you ever tried "Sodoku"?

Sodoku is a traditional study method that has been practiced in Japan since the Edo period.

As a study method that "values sound more than understanding," Sodoku is both an old and a new way to learn.

It can also be utilized for studying foreign languages, including English.

Until now, unlike regular Ondoku, Sodoku could not be done alone.

But now, it is possible to practice Sodoku by yourself using the latest AI!

In this article, we will explain the basic knowledge of Sodoku, its differences from Ondoku, and detailed methods for effective Sodoku practice.

Why don't you use this article as a guide to start Sodoku for adults?

Increase Effectiveness for Adult Sodoku! Recommended AI Ondoku Service

For those of you who want to start adult Sodoku, we recommend "Ondoku".

"Ondoku" is a cutting-edge AI Ondoku service that can read text aloud with high-performance AI.

It can read Sodoku materials for adults in a clear, easy-to-hear voice, just like 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 immediately create effective audio materials for your daily Sodoku practice at no cost.

If you're starting Sodoku for adults, why not use "Ondoku"?

What is Sodoku? A Detailed Explanation of the Method, Effects, and Differences from Ondoku

What is Sodoku in the first place? Is it okay for adults to do it?

For those who want to start Sodoku for adults, we will first explain what kind of method Sodoku is, what kind of materials are used, and what effects it has.

What is Sodoku? Key Points of Effective Learning from the Edo Period

Have you ever heard the word Sodoku?

Actually, this study method is an effective learning method that has existed since ancient times.

Sodoku is a learning method of reading sentences out loud.

Rather than just following with your eyes, by actually reading aloud, you learn the rhythm and pronunciation of words with your body.

In old Japan, Sodoku was widely used when learning Kanbun (classical Chinese) and other classics.

子曰、学而不思則罔、思而不学則殆。

The Master said, "Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous."

In the Sodoku widely practiced in places like Terakoya (temple schools) during the Edo period, students would repeat these classics after the teacher.

The text in this material is the "Analects," a collection 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 also a recommended study method for foreign languages, including English.

Why exactly is Sodoku effective for foreign languages?

Sodoku is a Study Method that "Values Sound Before Understanding"

Children back then acquired language by first reading sentences out loud and repeatedly practicing Ondoku before fully understanding the meaning.

The characteristic of Sodoku lies in "valuing sound before understanding."

When we learn our native language, we don't start speaking by understanding grammar and the meaning of words from the beginning, do we?

It must have started with first listening to the words of the adults around us and imitating them.

Sodoku can be said to be a learning method close to that natural language acquisition process.

That is why Sodoku is effective for foreign language learning.

It is especially ideal for developing pronunciation, intonation, and a sense of rhythm.

Also, by repeatedly reading aloud, sentence structure and vocabulary naturally become fixed in your memory.

The great appeal of Sodoku is that you can acquire language with your whole body using your mouth and ears, not just understanding it with your head.

What are the 3 Benefits of Effective Sodoku for Adults?

Sodoku for adults has many benefits.

Sodoku was something children did at Terakoya in the Edo period, but it is actually effective when adults do it too!

We will introduce the important points and effects of what benefits occur when adults practice Sodoku.

1. Stimulate the Brain. Sodoku is a New Learning Experience Even Adults Can Start

Sodoku for adults has the effect of stimulating the brain and keeping it in a clear state.

As we become adults, the opportunities to study new things inevitably decrease.

That's where Sodoku is recommended.

Sodoku has the effect of stimulating the brain by focusing on sound.

Carving the classics from teaching materials into the brain as sound is a first-time sensation never experienced in the lives of modern adults.

When you start 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 in textbooks doesn't easily lead to being able to actually speak, does it?

In such cases, Sodoku is recommended!

You can learn the rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation unique to foreign languages with your body.

If you continue Sodoku, first, your pronunciation will naturally improve.

By imitating and reading while listening to native audio, you can experience subtle differences in pronunciation that you wouldn't notice just by studying normally.

For example, parts that are difficult to acquire just by reading explanations in textbooks, such as the difference between the English "r" and "l," can be naturally mastered through Sodoku.

Also, how to break up 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 native language.

By repeating Sodoku, you can naturally acquire that sense of rhythm unique to the language.

"Shadowing," which is highly effective for studying languages including English, is also a study method very close to Sodoku.

[Complete Guide] What is the English Shadowing Method? Also explaining how to create materials for free!

Improve your English skills efficiently with shadowing! A learning method for beginners that improves listening, pronunciation, and speaking simultaneously. We also introduce how to create materials with free AI audio.

3. Master the Classics and Improve Cultural Literacy

In addition to foreign language learning, the traditional Sodoku that has continued since the Edo period is also highly recommended!

In traditional Sodoku, you practice Ondoku using the Four Books of Chinese classics as materials.

A major benefit is that it has the effect of improving your cultural literacy by knowing the classics.

Modern times are an era where adult cultural literacy is required even in business.

Compared to people who are knowledgeable about 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 literacy, Sodoku, a traditional study method, is the best.

By practicing Sodoku with an effective reading method, you can set yourself apart from those around you with your cultural knowledge.

How to Practice Sodoku for Adults Alone! What is the Recommended Reading Method?

But you can't do Sodoku without a teacher, right?

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 Practice Sodoku for Adults Starting with AI Text-to-Speech Services

Sodoku practiced in the Edo period followed a method where the teacher would read the classics as material, and the student would listen and then practice Ondoku.

Therefore, to practice Sodoku, a teacher was necessary to read the classical materials aloud.

However, when incorporating adult Sodoku into daily life, it is difficult to have a teacher read the materials to you.

So, there is a recommended method.

It is the method of utilizing 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 text-to-speech service is very simple.

Anyone can create audio simply by entering the content of the classical material.

By using an AI text-to-speech service, you can obtain your very own Sodoku teacher.

Recommended AI Text-to-Speech Service "Ondoku" for Adult Sodoku

"Ondoku" is an AI text-to-speech service recommended for those who want to start adult Sodoku.

The greatest feature is that you can easily read text aloud just by entering it.

Since you can easily practice Ondoku with Sodoku materials, you can start Sodoku alone even without a teacher.

With high performance unique to the latest AI, it can read aloud in easy-to-hear voices like professional announcers and narrators.

You can concentrate solely on practicing Sodoku while listening to the sound.

And "Ondoku" is free!

Since you can read aloud for free up to 5,000 characters, you can get audio for your teaching materials immediately when you decide you want to start Sodoku.

If you are starting adult Sodoku, "Ondoku" is recommended.

Why don't you start practicing adult Sodoku effectively with "Ondoku"?

What is Adult Sodoku Started with AI? Detailed Explanation of the Reading Method

I want to try starting adult Sodoku using AI! I want to know the reading method and how to do it!

If you use an AI text-to-speech service, you can start adult Sodoku easily right now.

Here, we will explain in detail how to start Sodoku using "Ondoku," including the method and reading style.

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 point is to choose materials that match your level.

For beginners, it is recommended to start with short sentences and basic expressions. Once you get used to Sodoku, gradually step up to materials with long sentences and complex content.

When choosing materials, it will be easier to continue if you choose texts in fields you are interested in.

Since it's important to practice Sodoku repeatedly, choose materials with content you can enjoy.

If you like traveling, text from a guidebook; if you like movies, movie scripts—the point is to choose materials that make it easy to turn Sodoku into a habit.

2. How to Read Classic Materials Aloud with "Ondoku"

Once you have the text for your materials, read it aloud on the "Ondoku" page.

Open the "Ondoku" page from here.

Paste the text you want to read into the text box.

Select the language.

Select the voice.

*You can listen to samples of the voices available for Ondoku reading here.

Now the preparation is complete!

Press the "Read Aloud" button to start reading.

The reading process will be completed quickly.

When the process is complete, 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.

With this, you have obtained the audio for your Sodoku teaching materials with "Ondoku".

This is how you can resolve it.

3. Start Sodoku with Audio Created in "Ondoku"!

Now you have created the audio for Sodoku!

Let's start practicing Sodoku right away.

Basic Flow of Sodoku

The basic method of Sodoku is to first listen to a sample audio and then read aloud yourself.

At first, practice Ondoku while looking at the text, and as you get used to it, gradually proceed to repeat after the audio without looking at the text.

In Sodoku, the point is to emphasize rhythm and intonation more than accuracy.

Specific Sodoku Method

The specific steps for Sodoku are as follows.

First, listen to the teaching material's audio all the way through to grasp the overall flow.

Next, divide it into short phrases and try to pronounce them exactly as you heard them immediately after listening to 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 with Sodoku is to do it repeatedly.

By practicing Ondoku with the same sentence many times, natural pronunciation and rhythm will gradually be acquired.

Make Sodoku a daily habit so that you can continue it without strain.

Even 10 minutes a day is fine.

Continuous Sodoku practice leads to steady language skill improvement!

Combining with Shadowing is Also Recommended

Once you get used to Sodoku, try an applied method combined with shadowing.

Shadowing is a learning method where you pronounce along 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 start speaking the same content with a delay of 0.5 to 1 second.

Concentration is required, but you can simultaneously train real-time comprehension and speaking skills.

Also, to further develop Sodoku, there is a method of gradually increasing the audio speed.

At first, practice Sodoku at normal speed, and as you get used to it, gradually speed up to 1.2x speed, 1.5x speed, and so on.

By making Sodoku more difficult in stages like this, you will acquire the ability to keep up with actual conversation speeds.

Please also see this article about shadowing.

[Complete Guide] What is the English Shadowing Method? Also explaining how to create materials for free!

Improve your English skills efficiently with shadowing! A learning method for beginners that improves listening, pronunciation, and speaking simultaneously. We also introduce how to create materials with free AI audio.

Common Failures in Sodoku and Tips for Improvement

Finally, we will briefly explain the tips for not failing with Sodoku.

Common Mistakes in Sodoku and Solutions

A frequent failure in Sodoku is giving up because of an inability to continue.

To prevent this, it is important to start with a manageable time setting.

For Sodoku, start with about 5 minutes at first, and by gradually extending the time, it becomes easier to continue.

Until it becomes a habit, aim to practice Sodoku every day, even for a short time.

Motivation Maintenance Methods to Continue Sodoku

To continue Sodoku for a long time, maintaining motivation is important.

One effective method is to record your own Sodoku and periodically listen and compare.

By seeing the results of Sodoku visually, it becomes easier to maintain motivation.

Giving Sodoku variety is also a tip for continuing without getting bored.

Don't just use the same teaching materials; sometimes try Sodoku using various materials such as movie lines or song lyrics.