Skype Lessons- chatting Spanish on the sofa
I'm currently into my 4th Skype lesson. My teachers, from Honduras and Venezuela are two lovely chaps, one a business owner another a student.
We talk in 100% Spanish, except when I don't know a word or phrase. I have both fluency and accuracy classes- both of which I need some help with! When I first started learning via Skype I didn't realise what it would be like.
While learning a language via Skype is amazing, what is equally as incredible is finding out about the lives,lifestyles, culture, history and perspective of the teacher. I've learnt so much about so many things, next time I'm going to post some of the interesting facts, figures, pics and videos that pop up in the class- they're always entertaining.
If you have an interest in learning a language via one to one lessons on Skype email me on: info@eurolanguageholidays.com
Hasta luego!
Saturday 29 October 2011
Learning a language quickly! 21st Century Language Learning
Learning a language quickly! 21st Century Language Learning
From around the mid 1950s-1960s the fashion was to learn a language by audiotapes, repeating mindlessly.
Then language classes became popular, including games and songs, and the dreaded textbook. As a linguist and language teacher myself I have come to seriously dislike desks, and textbooks in particular. That is the way most languages are learnt- but why?
This is a great business model. It is like learning a language in a factory. You are lined up in rows and the product is drip fed to you, slowly but surely. Dynamism, movement, are often limited. Creativity is not easy. Individual help and attention is almost impossible.
What are the alternatives? Well, self-study is good, but can only get you so far. Getting past stumbling blocks like bad pronunciation, repeated errors (that become ingrained) and grammatical mistakes that are hard for the individual to spot is difficult, if not impossible.
Polyglots (those who speak 5+ languages) often recommend one to one interactions, lessons if possible.
I have started having Spanish and Portuguese skype language classes. These skype language classes are one to one lessons and are truly amazing. I get to chat to someone else in a language I want to learn but I don't have the negatives of traditional classes. I choose when I want to study, and where. I've even had my skype classes from a beach (I had a dongle- wireless internet on the go for those unsure of what a dongle is..). The flexbility is great.
Also, my teachers get one on one time with me, they're interesting people and I get to chat to them about their country, traditions and culture. The lessons are really good for those wanting to get better at languages fast. Skype spanish lessons are quite cheap- I'm getting them for £10 an hour with
eurolanguageholidays.
Their website is: http://www.eurolanguageholidays.com/skype-lessons/
I just had a lesson with a guy from Honduras a nice chap by the name of Roberto!!
Hasta Luego! :)
From around the mid 1950s-1960s the fashion was to learn a language by audiotapes, repeating mindlessly.
Then language classes became popular, including games and songs, and the dreaded textbook. As a linguist and language teacher myself I have come to seriously dislike desks, and textbooks in particular. That is the way most languages are learnt- but why?
This is a great business model. It is like learning a language in a factory. You are lined up in rows and the product is drip fed to you, slowly but surely. Dynamism, movement, are often limited. Creativity is not easy. Individual help and attention is almost impossible.
What are the alternatives? Well, self-study is good, but can only get you so far. Getting past stumbling blocks like bad pronunciation, repeated errors (that become ingrained) and grammatical mistakes that are hard for the individual to spot is difficult, if not impossible.
Polyglots (those who speak 5+ languages) often recommend one to one interactions, lessons if possible.
I have started having Spanish and Portuguese skype language classes. These skype language classes are one to one lessons and are truly amazing. I get to chat to someone else in a language I want to learn but I don't have the negatives of traditional classes. I choose when I want to study, and where. I've even had my skype classes from a beach (I had a dongle- wireless internet on the go for those unsure of what a dongle is..). The flexbility is great.
Also, my teachers get one on one time with me, they're interesting people and I get to chat to them about their country, traditions and culture. The lessons are really good for those wanting to get better at languages fast. Skype spanish lessons are quite cheap- I'm getting them for £10 an hour with
eurolanguageholidays.
Their website is: http://www.eurolanguageholidays.com/skype-lessons/
I just had a lesson with a guy from Honduras a nice chap by the name of Roberto!!
Hasta Luego! :)
Sunday 25 September 2011
Welcome to the Blog
New blog on immersion language learning the best and fastest way to learn a language.
We'll be posting articles on how to create the right environment for immersion language learning, sometimes even within your own home. We'll comment on providers of services, trips you can make to improve your language skills in the most cost effective way, people you can speak to and learn from.
Feel free to comment on any of our blog posts..
Ciao for now!
We'll be posting articles on how to create the right environment for immersion language learning, sometimes even within your own home. We'll comment on providers of services, trips you can make to improve your language skills in the most cost effective way, people you can speak to and learn from.
Feel free to comment on any of our blog posts..
Ciao for now!
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