YOUR ABSENCES I understand the challenge of conveying this message after being away for two weeks in April. It's important to maintain consistency in class attendance. That's why I've designed flexible course options like the Americano and Espresso courses. These are not meant to reduce lesson time, but rather to provide more flexibility for fitting classes into your schedule. Please make every effort to attend regularly. MAY WEEKEND Here’s an update on our upcoming schedule due to the May bank holiday. Both May 1st and 3rd are holidays, so there will be no classes. However, I will be available and holding classes on May 2nd. If you are unable to attend your class on this day, please remember to fill out the absence form. Additionally, I’ve scheduled the first week of July for catch-up sessions, so there will be opportunities to make up any missed classes. MAY CHALLENGE The May challenge will focus on sharing things you're passionate about. Whether it's a book you've read, a movie you've seen, a unique dish you've tried, a favourite hangout spot, a song you love to sing, or an item of clothing that defines your style, I want to hear about what makes these things special to you. Be prepared to enhance your presentation with rich vocabulary—aim to go beyond simple phrases like "good" and "I like." VIDEOS WEEKLY Our challenge in March was focused on video watching, and I've continued to upload new videos weekly since then. While watching these videos isn't mandatory, they offer great exposure to the language and can enhance your learning experience. You can find them HERE — feel free to explore and enjoy these resources at your own pace. END OF MAY QUIZLET TEST Please remember to stay diligent with your Quizlet assignments. I've noticed some of you might not be taking it as seriously as needed. While I've been granting more autonomy recently, it seems necessary to reinforce the importance of this tool. To ensure you're truly benefiting from your Quizlet vocabulary, I'm planning a comprehensive test covering all the words we've studied. This test will take place during the last week of May or the first week of June. Start reviewing now to ensure you're well-prepared! NEW ON MY PERSONAL BLOG I've posted a new entry on my personal blog about a delightful experience at Peggy Porschen. You can read all about it HERE. Enjoy diving into this pinkish adventure!
Easter Break Check out this list of days when classes won't be happening. Take a good look! Homework No homework is assigned for the Easter break. Only the Terrific Ten and the April Challenge are on the agenda. Zoom and Whatsapp I prefer to keep our communication on Zoom chat, but for those of you who've asked for Friday notifications on Whatsapp, we'll make sure to send them there as well. The main thing is that you get the message! :) Videos will continue The March watching videos challenge has officially wrapped up, but don't worry—I'll keep adding new videos for you to enjoy using the same space we used for that project. Every week, you'll find something new waiting for you. Feel free to take advantage of this opportunity, but remember, it's completely optional. Enjoy! Just a quick reminder The only way to cancel your classes is through the form on your learning space. I've mentioned it a zillion times! Let's make things easier for both of us and use it, alright? Thanks a million!
Clarification Announcements are delivered to you every Friday. You can find a link to them in your learning space menu, but I also send you a Zoom reminder. I hope everyone is content with this arrangement. New Challenge in April In April, I'm excited to present the "Did You Know...?" challenge! To kick things off, you're invited to prepare an engaging piece of information—it could be historical, scientific, amusing, or even personal; the possibilities are boundless. Examples Did you know honey never spoils and can last thousands of years? Did you know octopuses have three hearts? Did you know my first job was at a local bakery? Open slots for the upcoming week
New vocab entries from this week
Upgrade Terrific Ten It's time to take the Terrific Ten to the next level. Some of you have already started writing examples and compiling words in a Google document. Now, I'd like to make this a standard practice for everyone. If you have your own document, please share the link with me. If not, I'll create a document and request that you insert a word along with an example sentence or sentences. Let's keep the momentum going!
Booking page open for your booking The BOOKING PAGE is now accessible for reservations. Availability is limited, with only a few slots remaining. Please be reminded that reservations are exclusively open to students who have previously cancelled a lesson with advance notice. Just a bit of pep talk before this week's March Challenge This week's March video challenge introduces you to the world of stand-up comedy. Approach this challenge with an open mind and don't let any initial difficulties deter you. Comedy, particularly stand-up, can be complex to grasp due to its often context-free nature and reliance on cultural nuances. If you're concerned about understanding, I recommend starting with American stand-up comedy, as it may be more accessible and easier to follow. WhatsApp for informing you on rescheduling option I've decided to utilize WhatsApp for communicating about rescheduling options, recognizing that not everyone is continuously available on Zoom, and there are occasions when timely communication is crucial. For all other matters, we'll continue to use Zoom for our communications. Problem? Report immediately pls! If you encounter any issues with your learning space, such as inaccessible homework links or other resources, please don't hesitate to inform me immediately. Don't wait until your lesson to report these problems. While it's my duty to ensure you have all necessary materials for learning and self-study, occasionally, oversights and technical glitches can occur. Your prompt feedback helps ensure a smooth learning experience.
This week, I'd like to offer a bit more formal announcements and address a few critical issues to ensure our collaboration continues to proceed smoothly. Zoom not Whatsapp I've transitioned our primary mode of communication from WhatsApp to Zoom for regular updates and discussions. Let's reserve WhatsApp exclusively for emergency situations. Thank you for adapting to this change! Cancellations I would like to remind everyone that class cancellations must be formally processed through the designated form. Please refrain from using verbal notifications, emails, or any other communication platforms for this purpose. Thank you for ensuring that all cancellations are documented appropriately. Additionally, please avoid waiting until the last minute to submit your absence form. By providing timely notice, you enable us to allocate your scheduled time to someone else who could benefit from it. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Regarding cancellations, please be advised that any cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will not be eligible for rescheduling. Challenges in March In March, as part of our challenge, we'll be focusing on video watching. Please remember to watch only one video, not three. Additionally, let's not forget to continue our Terrific Ten activities. 11th March - no classes I will be absent from work on Monday, 11th March. Students scheduled for classes on this day will be notified about potential alternative dates, though it is highly probable that this lesson will not be rescheduled within March. I appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding this matter.
NOTE: All the links are accessible through your learning space.
The link to the March challenge is in your most recent self-study section. The VOCAB BOOSTER posts section EXTRA in your learning space. Any problems? Give me a buzz. With March just around the corner and the promise of spring in the air, it's time to embrace new goals and challenges. Let's quickly run through them together. MARCH CHALLENGEWe bid farewell to our February Small Talk Challenge as we usher in a new endeavour for March—our Video Watching Challenge. The goal is to immerse ourselves more in spoken language, and to achieve this, I encourage you to select one out of three videos each week to discuss at the beginning of our lesson. While I'll aim for shorter videos, luck may not always be on our side. In such cases, watching a snippet will suffice, though I'll provide specific timestamps for longer videos indicating the minimum required viewing. Also, if you have any ideas or links to YouTube videos you think are worth checking out, don't hesitate to send them my way. Your input is always valuable to me! VOCAB INPUT THIS WEEK and PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKSThis week has been really productive vocab-wise, and I just wanted to quickly run through what I've got for you.
In March, I'm aiming to provide at least one additional vocabulary post each week. If you'd like to receive notifications via WhatsApp when these posts are published, please send me a whatsaapmessage with the phrase "March input yes." Please note that until the end of March, updates about new posts will not be shared on my LinkedIn page or anywhere else. STUDENT MEETUP PROJECTA week ago, I reached out to gauge interest in a student meetup, and I was pleased to see many of you express enthusiasm with a "YES." However, I also took note that some chose not to respond, and one person politely declined. In subsequent discussions during our lessons, I revisited the idea, recalling our past "buddies program" where students were paired up for English practice sessions. While I find such collaborative learning invaluable, I've decided against moving forward with the meetup project at this time. The decision stems from valid concerns about privacy that were raised by some of you, which I genuinely respect and consider paramount in our learning environment.
That being said, if any of you already have an English buddy—whether another student of mine or someone else—and are interested in pursuing activities together, please feel free to reach out. I'm more than willing to support such initiatives in a manner that respects everyone's comfort and privacy. Your feedback and concerns are always taken seriously, and I appreciate the opportunity to address them openly as we continue to navigate our learning journey together. SEMESTER 1 TEST 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:
PS. The INKA course students and new students are not included in the test. SMALL TALK IN FEBRUARY - COME PREPARED 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:
Remember, the goal here is to be spontaneous and authentic. Don't stress over perfection; the aim is to get comfortable with casual conversations. TERRIFIC TEN CHALLENGE Great job on the Terrific Ten Challenge! Your increased engagement and improvement are impressive and truly commendable. We will continue this challenge until the end of the academic year, so keep up the fantastic work! CLASS CANCELATIONS AND RESPECT 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
ANNOUNCEMENTS ONCE A MONTH The announcements will be scheduled for a monthly release as a general practice. However, in cases of additional urgency or special requirements, they will also be communicated on Friday afternoons. TERRIFIC TEN IS A MUST 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. LINKEDIN RECOMMENDATIONS 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! WINTER HOLIDAY 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. MY PERSONAL BLOG 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.
I'm sure you're swamped with stuff right now, so I'll keep it short and sweet with the announcements. LINKEDIN RECOMMENDATION A big shout-out to those who took the time to pen down their recommendations for me. It truly means a lot! CHRISTMAS BREAK and CATCH-UP The break starts today 22-12-2023 and continues till 01-01-2024. 02-01-2024 is the first day in 2024 for classes to be run. Any catchups possibilities will be listed on Wednesday 27-12-2023. You will be notified by Whatsapp on that day. MERRY CHRISTMAS Amidst the myriad of matters, both significant and trivial, my heartfelt wish for you and me this Christmas is to delve into the profound essence of the season, discovering the true meaning of Christmas - which is
-Emmanuel - God with us. |
Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|