Methodology
The Language Umbrella covers four main areas
- Vocabulary expansion and activation
- Grammar structures. Understanding and using in context
- Pronunciation and articulation
- Communication styles and cultural awareness
Use real situations from your own life or work, or imagined scenarios. Prepare for them during the session or before, and evaluate your performance with your teacher.
Build up your bank of words by selecting key vocabulary. Enrich your vocabulary with synonyms and antonyms, word-pairs (collocations), and idioms. Develop a personalised glossary of terms relating to your area of interest.
Activate language you may know passively. Bring it from the back of your mind to the tip of your tongue.
Use mind-mapping to expand your range.
Experience how video, podcasts and articles can be an effective source of learning and inspiration, and help connect you to real-world English. Use them actively in the session as a platform for discussion or as examples of vocabulary or style.
Make notes. Writing things down by hand helps to imprint the words in your memory so you can recall them more easily.
Record yourself speaking and evaluate this with your teacher in the session. This is a proactive way to maximise your time and get even more feedback.
Get a full and clear picture of English grammar structures that form the foundation of the language. Then activate this in different contexts.
Get direct and regular feedback from your teacher who will identify patterns in your speaking or writing that need to be addressed and improved, and then complete exercises and language tasks to target these areas, both in session and as homework.
Understand and develop styles of communication so that you can adapt to the situation and your audience. Learn language techniques to fit the situation and cultures you interact with: sound diplomatic, forceful, persuasive, motivational or critical. Get your message across effectively and with consideration for the cultural expectations of those you speak to.
Gain confidence through practice, positive experience in the language, and encouragement from your teacher.
Ask questions, from simple to complex. Your teacher loves this.