Counting out loud is beneficial in so many ways.  Some of the key aspects are it helps keep the student focused, it helps the student play in proper rhythm, and it helps train the student's ear!  Counting out loud is easy and makes the learning process much more efficient.  Students who consistently count out loud learn songs faster and memorize songs more easily!  Counting out loud ensures that the student understands the subdivision of the beat, thus making challenging rhythms a breeze to play!