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Learn YOUR English Courses

97 members • $39/month

31 contributions to Learn YOUR English Courses
Skool iOS APP is Live
Happy to pass on the news that the Skool app is live for iOS. So you can now use the TAP program through the app if you like. The developers have passed on these instructions: Skool's official iOS App is live. Download it here on the iOS App Store, by scanning this QR code, or searching for "Skool Communities". It has push notifications, links open in the app, + more. Our Android app should be live in the next 30 days.
Skool iOS APP is Live
1 like • May '23
yeahii!
Native speaker vs. non-native speaker
Hi all, As I start to communicate with my niche a bit more, I'm noticing more and more the discussion of native English speaker teachers vs. non-native English speaker teachers. English is my second language, but one could not tell from my accent. My experience with learning English and post-secondary education in Canada will allow me to connect with and help my students. On the other hand, there's this emphasis on English teachers being native speakers, and even a previous employer has specifically told me (and others) not to say to our students that English is our second language. I even had students decline to work with me because of my background. I want to be true to myself and my roots, and I think that, if that is the case with the students, then that student is not for me. However, I am curious if anyone has encountered this and how you handled a situation like that.
2 likes • May '23
I understand it must be hard to have students you would like to keep bail on you for such a ridiculous reason. I can only talk from my experience, but maybe it helps. I was super insecure at the very beginning about my teaching position. Not only am I, not a native speaker, but I also never had a teaching education or anything that would provide me with a certificate to prove my worth. But all the students I have now are super happy about this because I am not presenting an unreachable idol to them. I am much more on an eye level with them. They can identify themselves with me and they know that I went through the same language-learning struggles. I can not prove to them that I am a highly qualified teacher, known for my perfect English skills, but I can prove to them that when they keep on going, they actually can become like me and that perfectionism is just blocking the way to reality.
What are your niche's biggest challenges? Content Creation Challenge
I reached out to a bunch of former students of mine and asked them what their biggest challenge with the language was. Here's a summary of what they said: - thinking of an appropriate response when people spoke to me - English is very direct and expressive. I find it difficult to find my own voice - I struggle with thinking if what I say will be perceived how I want it to be - going to the doctor and being confident understanding that important information 100% correctly - In Canada because I can't speak well and socialize/network with people, it's nearly impossible for me to get a better paying job that represents the skills I have from back home - When I first came to Canada, I got rejected from jobs because they said I spoke too slowly - Living in a multicultural place, listening is my biggest challenge - everyone has a different accent When thinking about our ideal clients/niche and creating content that would resonate with them, it's important to know (at least some of) their struggles. And speak directly to them. I thought maybe we could do a little challenge here to practice writing copy that speaks to our niche. Choose one struggle of your niche and write a short post (words only) that would resonate with that person. Post it in the comments of this thread. We'll share together and improve together. I'll start with one from my list above: Most newcomers to Canada have trouble understanding different accents. This can prevent you from getting a new job. Here's how to improve that right now: Step 1: Each week, choose a different YouTube video with a speaker of a different accent Step 2: Before you watch, write down 5 prediction questions based on the title Step 3: Watch the first time to see if your questions are answered Step 4: Watch again and write down 5 key ideas from the video. Step 5: Write a one-paragraph reflection on what the speaker talked about. Include their accent and what you found both easy and challenging. Step 6: Each time you revisit a similar accent, review your reflections and notice how you've improved since the last time.
1 like • Nov '22
Great idea! Most of my students speak English, not perfectly, but quite understandable. Their biggest problem is, more often than not, to feel confident in using whatever they know without pushing themself into being perfect. My recommendation for students: - Don't focus on new input: new input gives you the feeling of knowing even lesser than before and feels like an amount of overwhelming work. - Focus on what you have: try to solve conversations with whatever words you have. Get used to your existing vocabulary and use simple words and phrases again and again to gain confidence. - Start to add more language input as soon as you feel more confident. Start with more specialized synonyms to what you already know and let curiosity lead you in what to learn next. My recommendation for teachers: - repeat the same exercises as often as needed to make the student feel confident with their existing language(describing pictures / describing their day / telling a story of the past / creating lists / ...) - give them time to find words for themself instead of suggesting missing words - let them describe missing vocabulary  - tell a story and let them repeat it in their own words - correct as little as possible and only if the message is not understandable 
core idea of a programm
#Designing a Program Using Minimalist Teaching The core of my program might be to create a solid base of language from where the student will be able to explore and learn independently. The different tasks will circle around this idea and support it with training in small talk, presentation of a topic, conversation-making ... and so on. Furthermore, I would like to add small self-confidence and English-thinking exercises each week to strengthen motivation and fluency without focusing on grammar or vocab. After the program, the student should feel confident and independent in starting conversations and keeping them up. They should feel curious about the language and interested in learning more through using it. They will have a good starting point from where they will continue their journey by themselves.
1 like • May '22
@Valeria Paolillo Thank you for the nice feedback! My students are between beginners and advanced. They are not total beginners, most of them have learned English in school but haven't used it over the years.
opportunity: teacher exchange
Hello everyone! I would love to do a teacher exchange with you! Watching the video "Analyzing a Dogme lesson" made me realize how helpful it is to see "teaching in action". I went an unconventional way of becoming a teacher and I missed out on having someone watching over my shoulder and giving me feedback on my teaching style. Therefore I would like to offer a teacher exchange, which means: I invite you to be an observer for one of my online classes and of cause, in exchange be a guest at one of your classes. The idea is to give each other feedback on the main points we want to work on. We have a chance of learning about different teaching styles, ways of giving out students corrective feedback, handling a specific type of student and so much more... This could also be an opportunity to have a sneak peek at teaching a new group of students if you would be interested in teaching 1:1 adults (German speakers). I believe that we are a great community that can learn a ton from each other and I would be super happy to hear back from some of you!
0 likes • Apr '22
hello everyone, I am sry to come back to this so late. I would like to realize this in a group where we can visit each other. Do you have ideas of how to organize it? Via a chat (whats app / telegram) ?
0 likes • Apr '22
Does everyone has telegram? I think that would be the best form to not make a chaos out of it
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Vanessa Simeth
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@vanessa-simeth-7291
🏕 adventurous living & learning & teaching | using language learning to connect people | helping others to be part of an international community

Active 407d ago
Joined Jan 19, 2022