In tune with the need to learn English and a fondness to play

An education service launched in Copenhagen in September combines language and music tuition for four to seven-year-olds

admin

Oct 5, 2014

A cerebral connection between music and language has long been hypothesised, and according to a 2007 study conducted by researchers at the Georgetown University Medical Center, music and language indeed depend on some of the same brain systems.

Tunesplay, a new Danish teaching service, aims to better educate youngsters between the age of four and seven by linking the introduction of music and English.

Petra Paskova, the founder and owner of Tunesplay, is a classically trained concert pianist with extensive experience teaching the subjects.

“The education market is hard to break into and what can make you stand out is a modernised take on an ‘old favourite’,” she explained.

“Nowadays we absorb information faster, we want to learn things in context, and we understand that disciplines are interlinked.”

Learning English early
Although 86 percent of Denmark’s population speaks English, the standard can vary wildly, often due to the arbitrary nature of education. Tunesplay enables parents to give their children a headstart in learning the most used language on the global stage.

At Tunesplay, English is taught through music and movement. Students from the age of four can begin English lessons as they learn to play the piano or recorder, among other instruments. The 60-minute lessons are tailored to the individual’s learning abilities and needs.

Tunesplay’s education model is partially inspired by Copenhagen’s international schools, where cultural integration is heavily encouraged. Similar to the trend perpetuated by those schools, Paskova wishes to “integrate rather than add to what we sometimes see as the troublesome division between the expat and local community”.

“At the international schools of Copenhagen, I have noticed a trend to implement both the English and Danish languages into the curriculum. I personally think this is the way to go,” Paskova explained.

Tunesplay fosters bilingualism by offering its services in both English and Danish. However, Paskova emphasises that music will always be the universal language.

Adapting to the market
With the ever increasing educational demands placed on students, Paskova believes that education must be multidimensional.

“Educational businesses and curriculum developers need to search for solutions that go beyond the old-fashioned definition of a lesson. It is crucial to develop dynamic products that can offer more,” Paskova expanded.

Tunesplay also recognises that the learning experience isn’t limited to children. The customised curriculum invites parents to get involved and be as excited as their children. Supporting the parent-child relationship is a major focus of the language and music lessons.

Tunesplay owner Petra Paskova

Taking a leap of faith
Launching a business is a challenging and often daunting task. For Paskova, the toughest decision was choosing to start Tunesplay only months after moving to Copenhagen.

“I was aware of my limited experience with the Danish market and local culture. However, there comes a point where you either gather faith in your project and take a leap into the unknown, or back out,” she said.

Ultimately, her passion for music, language and teaching gave her the courage to bet on herself. “The big risk Tunesplay is taking is working with the assumption that the Danes see the potential English opens up for their children,” she explained.

Whether Danish parents see the benefits of a combined musical and English education has yet to be seen, but the increasing trends of globalisation and customised learning are promising signs for Tunesplay.

“There isn’t a similar model that we could learn from and calculate the probability of failure or success. All we have is positive feedback from market research and our strong belief that it is time for an individualised, interdisciplinary way of learning.”

FACTFILE: TUNESPLAY