LISTENING - UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS SAID
Listening is one of the two receptive skills, with reading being the other, and stands at the beginning of the language learning process. Both skills are important because “more than three-fifths of all communicative interaction involves comprehension skills” (Hadley, 2001).
During my lessons I include listening exercises and make sure that I help the students to activate the knowledge they already have about the content. I also include a task that follows the listening, so students have to use the information they have received.
In my lessons, you will be exposed to authentic listening texts and we will start by focusing on understanding the general meaning before we proceed with answering more detailed questions.
During my lessons I include listening exercises and make sure that I help the students to activate the knowledge they already have about the content. I also include a task that follows the listening, so students have to use the information they have received.
In my lessons, you will be exposed to authentic listening texts and we will start by focusing on understanding the general meaning before we proceed with answering more detailed questions.
Reading - INTENSIVE READING VS. EXTENSIVE READING
Reading, especially in the form of extensive reading, is an underestimated skill because it is very important for the overall language development of a learner. At the beginning of the language learning process, we will focus on understanding the text and its content as a whole and not so much on its grammar and other linguistic features. This will improve your motivation and make it easier for you to make progress. We will focus on intensive, as well as extensive reading and look at the processes of skimming and scanning.
As with listening tasks, we will try to activate your knowledge about the content of a text before we actually go into reading it. I will also teach you a method of dealing with reading comprehension tasks that can be applied to any text and will make it easier for you to understand the content and correctly answer comprehension question.
Of course, it is also important to contextualise and personalise the different tasks and exercises so you can relate to the content.
As with listening tasks, we will try to activate your knowledge about the content of a text before we actually go into reading it. I will also teach you a method of dealing with reading comprehension tasks that can be applied to any text and will make it easier for you to understand the content and correctly answer comprehension question.
Of course, it is also important to contextualise and personalise the different tasks and exercises so you can relate to the content.
Speaking - The underlying reason for language learning
I believe that speaking is the most important skill in learning a language because it allows you to use the language for communication which is the true purpose of any language. Being able to communicate in a language helps you to connect with people from all over the world and gives you an insight into different cultures.
But most importantly, speaking helps you to connect everything you have learned during your lessons. That’s why I integrate speaking tasks from day one and it is a focus of every lesson.
Depending on your goals, for example if you want to take a language exam with a speaking component, we will integrate academic speaking or make it the main focus.
But most importantly, speaking helps you to connect everything you have learned during your lessons. That’s why I integrate speaking tasks from day one and it is a focus of every lesson.
Depending on your goals, for example if you want to take a language exam with a speaking component, we will integrate academic speaking or make it the main focus.
Writing- A skill that requires practice
I believe writing is the skill that frequently requires the most effort for a learner and you will need to dedicate time to improving in this skill.
One common mistake for beginners of a language is to try to translate sentences from their native language into the target language but this is not very effective, it will actually hinder your learning process. I will give you some guidance on how to avoid this pitfall.
Writing tasks are also an integral part of my lessons. You will not be able to write essays right away but you will be amazed of what you are capable of doing if you practice writing regularly. I will help you to become proficient and use the language creatively.
One common mistake for beginners of a language is to try to translate sentences from their native language into the target language but this is not very effective, it will actually hinder your learning process. I will give you some guidance on how to avoid this pitfall.
Writing tasks are also an integral part of my lessons. You will not be able to write essays right away but you will be amazed of what you are capable of doing if you practice writing regularly. I will help you to become proficient and use the language creatively.