This blog post is AI-generated by Claude and inspired by the original PolyTripper video linked below.
Hi Language Buddy!
I hope you had a productive week. Today I want to share two ways I've trained my teachers over the years—techniques that help me get more out of every lesson.
I'm a pretty experienced learner who's dealt with all different kinds of teachers. Over time, I've developed techniques that I transfer from one teacher to another if they haven't come up with equally effective alternatives on their own.
Remember: you're the client. While you should respect your teacher's expertise, you also have the right to shape your lessons to maximize your learning.
When I learn a language, I always create a shared Google Doc with my teachers. Some teachers know to do this already—in fact, a teacher originally introduced me to this concept—but many don't.
Instead of having corrections typed into Skype, Zoom chat, or other places where I might lose them, this Google Doc becomes our permanent record. Every week we create a new entry with the date, and when they correct my mistakes, they type directly into the document.
Over time, I build up a comprehensive record of my errors that I can review and study.
I make the document "world editable" but don't publish the link anywhere—I just share it privately with teachers. This way:
• They don't need to sign into Google
• I don't need to manage permissions
• We use the same link every week for consistency
• Everything stays organized chronologically
This system has worked reliably for years without security issues.
Research supports this systematic error tracking:
Error analysis effectiveness: Studies show that learners who systematically review their mistakes improve faster than those who receive corrections without follow-up.
Spaced repetition benefits: Having a written record allows you to review errors at spaced intervals, which improves long-term retention.
Metacognitive awareness: Tracking error patterns helps learners identify their weak areas and monitor progress over time.
Retrieval practice: Reviewing past corrections forces you to actively recall correct forms, strengthening memory.
I absolutely hate it when teachers speak English with me unless I specifically ask for an English word. It breaks the mood and breaks the spell of language immersion.
Initially with Russian, I needed some English support, but I'm reaching the point where I can conduct entire lessons in Russian—which I much prefer because hearing English totally breaks my concentration.
I had one Russian teacher who was hesitant to speak Russian with me because she worried I wouldn't understand. When I asked her to explain something in Russian, she'd say, "No, no, because then you won't understand."
I slowly trained her to be more comfortable with target-language explanations using this technique: whenever she says a word I don't understand, I repeat it with a questioning intonation while pausing and looking at her.
All my teachers now recognize this as my shorthand for "I didn't understand that word—can you explain it to me?"
This approach works because:
Clear communication: Teachers get immediate, non-verbal feedback about comprehension without breaking language flow.
Reduced teacher anxiety: They know you'll signal when you need help, so they can relax and speak naturally.
Maintained immersion: The questioning happens within the target language context.
Student agency: You control when to ask for clarification rather than having the teacher constantly check understanding.
Many language teachers default to using students' native languages because:
• They want to ensure comprehension
• They're afraid of frustrating students
• They lack confidence in their ability to explain concepts simply
• They haven't established clear communication signals with students
By providing clear feedback systems, you help teachers overcome these concerns.
These training techniques allow you to:
• Drive the instruction process more effectively
• Get more out of each lesson
• Create consistency across different teachers
• Build a permanent record of your learning
• Maintain target language immersion
• Give teachers confidence to challenge you appropriately
When starting with a new teacher:
Introduce the Google Doc system early: "I like to keep a shared document of corrections and new vocabulary. Here's the link we'll use."
Establish language preferences upfront: "I prefer to conduct lessons entirely in [target language]. If I don't understand something, I'll repeat it with a question tone."
Demonstrate the questioning technique: Show them how you signal confusion so they recognize it.
Be patient: It takes a few lessons for teachers to adapt to your preferred system.
Adapt these techniques based on your learning style:
• If you're visual, add screenshots or drawings to your shared doc
• If you need more structure, create templates for lesson notes
• If you're audio-oriented, ask teachers to record voice notes in the shared doc
• If you prefer immediate feedback, develop additional non-verbal signals
Remember: good teachers want to help you learn effectively. Most will appreciate clear communication about what works best for you.
These techniques have served me well across multiple languages and dozens of teachers. Try adapting them to your own learning style and preferences.
Take care, and I'll see you next week!
