Mind maps are an excellent way to help you process, structure and memorise new vocab. I’d say that the process of creating them is more important than the result. They are also very creative/ flexible in nature, so it doesn’t matter… Read More »Mind Maps
So, you’ve come across a new word/ phrase and found many associations for it. You’ve also noticed in which context it was used and how it fits in with other words. That’s great! That helps to better store it in your memory. Now it’s… Read More »How to learn vocabulary? Part 3. Active Recall
Let’s continue. In the previous part (part 1 here) we discussed how important it is to connect a new word to what you already know using associations, be them words, pictures, movements, feelings, experiences or other abstract concepts. Now it’s… Read More »How to learn vocabulary? Part 2. Noticing how and when to use new words/phrases
As one is learning a language, the amount of new vocab can easily get overwhelming. One of the strategies is to learn it by lists or cards using word translation or definition. It’s easy then to check yourself, easy to… Read More »How to learn new vocabulary? Part 1. Finding associations
In these trying times, I resort to desserts and languages. Desserts are soothing to make but dangerous to consume; they are likely to stab you in your back. Languages, in contrast, are one of the few sources of control and… Read More »Duolingo: Learning Languages in Self-Isolation
The magic of communication face-to-face I started teaching online a couple of years ago, and, I must admit, I was quite apprehensive to give it a try. When you teach in a classroom, and especially groups, there is a certain… Read More »Learning English Online – How Effective and Who for?
What is there about children that makes them such incredible language learners? Does this information mean anything for adult learners trying to navigate the world of learning techniques? In this article I try to combine my perspectives as a teacher… Read More »How to Learn Languages the Way Kids Do
My favourite approach is to take a book of an established publishing house (like Oxford, Cambridge or Pearson) appropriate for the level of the student and his/her goals and interests (as there is a great variety of coursebooks). We then… Read More »Why Go with English Coursebooks