My Philosophy
What organic food and language learning have in common
It’s Alive
Language is a living thing that can’t be condensed into just one book or course. While it’s useful to understand grammatical structures, a lot of things in a language are just the way they are and become internalized in us through a lot of contact and use. By interacting with language in its various forms, you can absorb grammar and vocabulary in a natural, organic, way.
Make It Fun
Eating healthy isn’t just about eating salads and similarly, using a particular method or application is not a condition to mastering a foreign language. We all have to find our own way instead of relying on universal standards – podcasts work for some, well-chosen texts for others, finding a good conversation partner for still others.
Information Overload
Social media is oversaturated with nutrition and fitness experts, and it’s no different with language learning. It’s not easy for a determined student, what with thousands of must-have books and courses, this or that “tried-and-tested” YouTube channel, and an endless supply of TikToks with 10 useful slang terms. An experienced teacher should be able to help you pick what’s most relevant for you from the sea of content.
Knowing ≠ Implementing
You don’t go to a dietician just because she knows her way around the food market, and you don’t seek out a trainer solely for their diplomas and certificates either. The word “teacher” sometimes evokes the image of a person with absolute knowledge, which he seeks to impart to the student bit by bit. However, 1:1 language lessons encompass much more than that – you can’t ignore factors such as your motivation and habits, your beliefs about the language and/or your relation to it, as well as any ongoing reflection.
Individuality
If you opt for organic food over the conventional, you expect quality and benefits corresponding to the price. In private lessons, these benefits lie mainly in having the space to interact, independence from other course participants, and adjusting the content of the lessons to make them as effective as possible for the student.
Realistic View
You probably wouldn’t expect miracles from a 5€ bottle of olive oil, and in the same way, it’s good to stay realistic in regards to time expectations when learning a language. A tutor, however good they may be, cannot promise you the world with only one lesson per week.
If you are ambitious, I’d be happy to help you set up your classes and the work outside of them so that you can reach your goals quickly yet sustainably. However, even if you are not striving for the stars, we can still make an effective and enjoyable lesson plan for you, as long as you are accepting of the fact that it will take you longer to get there.
Do these principles resonate with you, but you are not a student? Even better!
For Teachers
- I offer space in the Teachers Community section and opportunities for closer collaboration
- I am open to any friendly form of networking and exchange of experiences
Feel free to drop me a line, whether it’s a short email with a question or a free Zoom consultation!