I want to delve into the concept of self-study and motivation, particularly focusing on the inevitable dips in motivation that we all experience. As a language learner myself, I believe that both self-study and online language instruction are two fundamental elements of a successful language-learning journey, and one cannot exist without the other. Read More
I'd like to revisit a topic we've discussed before - the comparison between paid language lessons and language exchanges or other forms of casual conversation practice. There's a particular aspect of this topic that I want to delve deeper into, and that's the sense of responsibility a teacher feels when you're their paying student. Read More
I want to delve into a common scenario in the language-learning world, which I'm sure many of you have experienced. Imagine this: You've been studying a language, maybe several, but then life happens. Suddenly, you find yourself in a situation where you can't devote as much time to language study as before. It's a situation I find myself in, with Portuguese, Swedish, and German - languages I've learned but have had to sideline while focusing on my current language pursuit, Russian. Read More
I'd like to tackle a topic that goes beyond the realm of online language instruction and permeates all aspects of life where we deal with specialists - the notion of taking control as a client and driving the narrative. Read More
I'd like to shine a light on a key component of language learning that's often overlooked: the vital role of online language instruction in developing spontaneous conversational abilities. It's a different kind of skill, a muscle if you will, that requires a specific kind of exercise to develop. You can't build it through self-study alone - it requires actual application in real-life contexts. Read More
I want to offer you some insights about how I've been navigating my language learning journey, specifically about the ways I've managed to train my teachers. Over the years and through numerous languages, I've picked up a couple of techniques that I consistently transfer from one teacher to another, and I thought you might find these useful. Read More
I want to talk about a common delay tactic that many novice language students employ when taking online language lessons. This tactic involves discussing and philosophizing about the language with their teacher, rather than actively trying to speak the language they're learning. Read More
I want to discuss a topic that many language learners grapple with: exchanges versus paid instruction. While I've touched on this in some of my previous content, I thought it would be interesting to share my perspective on this debate. Read More
I want to talk about the importance of accountability when it comes to achieving our goals, particularly in language learning. There are generally two types of people: self-starters who can accomplish everything on their own, and those who benefit from having someone or a group to be accountable to. For most people, having a sense of accountability can significantly help with motivation and ultimately achieving their goals. Read More
I want to talk about how online language lessons can play a significant role in your social life and personal development. One of the many reasons I love online language lessons is because they check off several boxes for personal growth, including satisfying social needs. Read More
I want to discuss the difference between how people who strive for excellence in everything they do approach learning a new skill for the first time, as opposed to amateurs or hobbyists. Read More
In our current culture, with the rise of app stores, iTunes, and easily accessible free content, people often go to great lengths to avoid spending money. However, they might not consider the time they spend in their pursuit of free resources. If you try to value your time at a certain dollar amount and compare that to the cost of the resource you're trying to obtain for free or at a reduced price, you might be surprised at how much time you're potentially wasting. Read More
