​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!

​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. ​

​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.

​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.

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.

​A 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.

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.
​
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.

​I'm sure you're swamped with stuff right now, so I'll keep it short and sweet with the announcements.

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.

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.

For crying out loud, read my announcements! 
It takes literally 2 minutes, 3 if you are super slow and 4 if you are ... :) 
​This week:

Guys, dive in. Come on you can learn 1 word per week, can't you? 

I absolutely loved writing it. And I hope you will absolutely love reading it.

The info on Christmas break was given last week - see last week's announcements. I will most probably open some slots between 27-29. Pls let me know if you are interested to catch up then.

Due to the fact that my website is no longer supported by the comments app - I lost all my testimonies. This is a huge blow for me, so I am kindly requesting all you who are on LinkedIn to support me by leaving your Recommendation there.
If you've received a specific request from me through that channel, I'd be immensely grateful if you could spare a moment to share your recommendation. Your contribution would mean the world to me. Thank you for your kindness.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as I gradually return to work. I want to express my gratitude, especially for your support last week when I wasn't feeling my best. Also, I want to be transparent about the missed classes during my absence; regrettably, I won't be offering any opportunities to make up for them. Some of you may have noticed that I have adjusted your invoice accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.​

Your learning space is back in action! Take a look, and if anything seems off, shoot me a message ASAP. We had a little hiccup, but I've made some changes to hopefully make it smoother and more user-friendly. Thanks for rolling with the punches!

I really hope by now no one's caught off guard when I bring up the question on latest word from the Terrific Ten. I genuinely enjoy every word I feature each week. This time, I've thrown in one I snagged from Boris Johnson. Any guesses which word it might be?

​While I was sprucing up the website, I stumbled upon the Q&A questions submitted by my previous students. I've already crafted two posts like this in the past, but now with a bunch of new faces around, there might be fresh questions in the mix. That's why I'm excited to kick off a brand new Q&A session and address any burning questions you might have. Drop them in the box below – it's all anonymous, so no need to stress. Get creative!

In a total nutshell
- I am down with some kind of virus. And it seems to be the one which is particularly nasty. I am definitely not working till the end of this week (01.12)- so all the classes are CANCELLED. Should this time be prolonged you will be notified.
- I am down and the website is also down. I have given the support team time to resolve the issue till the end of this week. The chances are slim that you will be able to get what you had. If this is the case, I will start working on your new learning spaces as soon as I get better.

I have been refreshing my profile and the about me section. I have added a new window for testimonials. If you have anything nice to say about me and the classes, please fill it in for me - just click the pic below. Thank you.

I've opened a few slots for booking, in case you are planning to be absent. Please go to your Learning Space and click the booking form.

There will be a Christmas break - definitely between 23-26 December. However, the exact dates of the break will be given next week.  

Terrific Ten will become our weekly habit so from now on every single lesson have 1 word prepared from the previous week set.

Oh, and there's a relatively new post on my Personal Blog on Forest Therapy - HERE - feel invited to read. 

Thank you for reading.