2. Language learning survey
About you…
How many languages spoken in your group?
How did you learn them?
Was it a good experience of language learning?
Which language would you like to learn in the future – and why?
About your learners…
What motivates learners to come to your classes?
Can they generally speak other languages?
Do they come with developed language learning skills – or preconceptions perhaps?
How many times have you been asked….“How long does it take to learn French?” or “How long before I’m fluent?” or “Will I be fluent by Christmas?”

3. When are you “fluent” in another language?

4. Here’s Alex again Which languages is he studying at university?
Which language did he learn from CDs and books?
Which language does he feel to be poetic & expressive?
Which language has he spoken since childhood?
Which is the latest language he’s learning?
Which language would he like to learn in the future?
This time he’s demonstrating his own “fluency” – in eleven different languages and he’s only 20!
After watching/listening we’ll try and answer these questions:

5. About Alex … Which languages is he studying at university?
Which language did he learn from CDs and books?
Which language does he feel to be poetic & expressive?
Which language has he spoken since childhood?
Which is the latest language he’s learning?
Which language would he like to learn in the future?

6. How to learn a language? Let me count the ways …
Alex has clearly learned his languages by all manner of different means:
by hearing & repeating as a child,
through self-study with books & cds,
through group study at school & university,
through residence in the country.
We work through the medium of group learning, but we’re well placed to suggest and recommend other channels for practice & consolidation.

7. Group learning
Accepted best practice in our groups indicates that we organise the session in stages:
Ice-breakers/warmers
Setting the context
Presenting new language/material
Controlled practice
Free practice
Consolidation

8. We’ve tried to adopt that policy today
What do you think we’ve done so far?

9. Ice breakers/warmers/ mini start-up activities
Suggestions, please!

10. Setting the context of the session
Suggestions, please!

11. Presenting new language
Via a reading task

13. Reflecting on our Top Tips task
Which point are we at now?
Ice-breakers/warmers
Setting the context
Presenting new language/material
Controlled practice
Free practice
Consolidation

14. In language groups
From your experience, thinking of something you’ve taught recently, share your ideas…
for presenting new language
to prompt controlled practice
to encourage free practice
to consolidate the learning

24. Can you learn a new language in 10 minutes?
Here’s your chance to learn some Italian, Spanish, German or Polish.
Learn how to
a. introduce yourself
b. say something you like
c. ask someone else their name
d. ask what they like

25. How was it for you? How does it feel to be a language learner?
What makes it easy? What makes it harder?
Do you think you’ll remember the new language tomorrow morning?
How does our experience inform our practice?

26. As is our tradition…… A sing-along for the grand finale
How many languages feature in it?
What do you think of the pronunciation?
How could we use it in a class?

27. A classic with a timeless message