The semestral tests are scheduled for the week of February 5th. This is an opportunity to showcase your learning and understanding from our recent lessons. Here are the key details:

1. Vocabulary Selection: Please choose 10 words from your Quizlet sets. These words should be ones you feel confident explaining in-depth. Remember, no notes are allowed during the test, so your explanations should be well-practiced and clear.
2. Lesson-Based Questions: The test will also include 6 questions derived from our previous lessons. This is to assess your comprehension and retention of the course material.
3. Submission for Approval: Kindly send your chosen vocabulary and the questions you've prepared via Zoom. This is necessary for my approval and to ensure that you're on the right track.
4. Deadline: The final date to submit your vocabulary and questions is February 2nd. I strongly encourage you to send them earlier if possible, to allow ample time for review and feedback.

Your preparation for this test is crucial, and I am here to support you in any way I can. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance.
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PS. The INKA course students and new students are not included in the test. 

Our focus for the upcoming month of February will be on developing and refining our small talk skills. Small talk is an essential aspect of effective communication, helping us to build rapport with others.
To enhance our practice, I would like each of you to come prepared with something to share at the start of every lesson throughout the month. This could be:

• A Question: Bring a thought-provoking or engaging question to spark conversation. It could be about current events, a personal interest, or something related to our course material.
  
• A Thought: Share an interesting thought, observation, or a brief personal experience. 
  

Each lesson will begin with a few minutes dedicated to this practice. Your contributions will set the tone for a dynamic and interactive class.
Remember, the goal here is to be spontaneous and authentic. Don't stress over perfection; the aim is to get comfortable with casual conversations.

​Regarding class cancellations and similar matters, I urge everyone to uphold a mutual respect in our interactions. It's important to fill out the absence form promptly and not wait until the last minute. Remember, if neither of my two proposed catch-up session options are accepted, the missed classes will be charged in full. I ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter, as my motivation, like anyone's, has its limits. Let's work together to maintain a respectful and efficient learning environment

​Terrific Ten is a weekly practice session designed for all students, excluding those enrolled in the INKA course. No need for surprise – it's an inclusive opportunity for skill enhancement. There will be no additional reminder included in the announcement from this year.

I would like to kindly request your support once more in submitting a recommendation on LinkedIn. Unfortunately, I have lost all the testimonials from my website, as mentioned in my previous message, and would greatly appreciate your assistance. A heartfelt thank you to those who have already shared such positive feedback about me!

​If you are considering a winter holiday, please remember to complete the absence form in advance. Numerous classes had to be cancelled in December, both due to my illness and your various commitments. I would appreciate your cooperation in avoiding a recurrence of widespread cancellations.

​After the Christmas holiday, I received some feedback from a few students regarding my personal blog. I sincerely appreciate your kind words. I primarily write there for my own benefit, aiming to keep my writing skills from getting rusty. Admittedly, I haven't been terribly consistent, but I hope to be more productive this year. Nevertheless, I believe that the texts I produce serve as a good language model with positive expressions. I encourage you to visit from time to time.