Teachers' articles, thoughts and opinions

As a Spanish tutor, and having learned languages myself, I feel I have found the best techniques for learning a new language. Before this relevant discussion, let me tell you a story about me. When I was 6 years old, I remember quite well, those were my very first days of classes in primary school. It’s probable the teacher had spent long time showing the colors, and suddenly she saw me, back there in the classroom, and asked me to write ...

I´ve worked as a Spanish tutor at adult education centres in South Wales for several years, teaching beginner Spanish and intermediate Spanish.  During these classes, I was regularly asked by students why they needed to bother with grammar. I would tell them that learning Spanish has to have a bit of "dry" content which I would keep to an absolute minimum in order to keep the class intact. But they had to trust me. Some students ...

My name is Luisa Wichtendahl, I am a language tutor offering French lessons and Spanish lessons, and I want to give you my own personal point of view on how you can master any language. The most important tip I can give is that theory should always be applied with practice. What I mean by this is that, learning vocabulary and grammar doesn´t serve much purpose if you´re not going to practise and use what you´ve learned with native spe...

I get this question asked a lot… to me, this is like being asked: what is more useful to have, bones or muscles? A heart, or a brain? This approach triggers my fallacy alerts. If you don’t recognise the concept, or it sounds a bit like a dirty word to you, allow me to clarify: Fallacies are quick, simplified conclusions our brains have learnt to reach, in order to survive.  For example “Lion: dangerous”.   They make sense and are ...

In my experience, it's difficult though possible to achieve a basic level of personal and local communication, by means of regular conversation exclusively. I can find an example of conversation in connection with household activities such as washing and cookery. Household objects and equipment for washing and cleaning provide the basis and stimulus for speech. A mother explains to her child that she puts clothes and stuff in the machine, puts p...

Ciao a tutti! Are you ready to conquer the Italian language and unravel the secrets of its grammar? In this blog post, we'll embark on a thrilling adventure through Italian grammar, making it fun, approachable, and easy to understand. So, grab your favourite gelato and let's dive in! "Ciao, Verbs! Mastering Italian Conjugations": Verbs are the heart and soul of any language, and Italian is no exception. In this section, we'll delve into the...

Learning a new language is an adventure that opens doors to diverse cultures, expands horizons, and fosters meaningful connections. Traditional language learning methods, though effective, often lack the immersive and creative spark that can truly ignite a passion for mastering a foreign tongue. However, when we intertwine language education with the captivating realm of visual art, a remarkable transformation takes place, unlocking a host of be...

Language learning is made of four parts: Speaking/ Listening/ Reading/Writing but do you need to learn all of them? Can you learn a language solely through conversation? Do you absolutely need the dreaded grammar? What is the best way to go forward when learning a language?   Conversation is the fun part, the one thing everyone wants to master. Most of the time, it is the reason why you decided to learn that language in the first place. To ...

The world of medicine is evolving faster than ever before, as a prospective medical student, you might be wondering what this means for your education and eventual career. This guide will help you navigate the roadmap to your future in medicine, providing insights into the latest trends, application processes, and the unique challenges and rewards that await you in this noble profession. Applying to study medicine Getting into medical school in ...

The exam season can be a stressful time for students, with the pressure to perform well on their revisions mounting. While a certain amount of stress can be motivating, excessive stress can hinder productivity and overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore three practical and modern methods that can help students address stress during revision and improve their study experience.   Mindfulness and Meditation Mindfulness and medit...

As we approach the end of summer, the thought of going back to school can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressure of academic expectations. However, with the right preparation, this transition can be smooth and stress-free. One essential aspect of this preparation is finding a tutor. A tutor can not only help you catch up with your schoolwork but also provide you with advanced learning opportunities. In this article, I will share essenti...

Imagine you are standing at the base of a towering mountain, peering up at the peak shrouded in mist. That mountain is your A Levels, a formidable challenge that will test your academic prowess to the limit. But you don't have to scale these heights alone. Imagine you had a guide, a seasoned veteran who knows the terrain like the back of their hand. That guide is a tutor, a critical resource in your A Level journey.    Now, you might b...

The Summer Season in the UK, US and most parts of Europe covers the months of June, July and August. It is the warmest season of the year marked with longer days and shorter nights. The days are usually very sunny, hot, humid and dry with average daily temperatures around 20 (Degrees) Centigrade. In severe cases, it rises to even as high as 32 (Degrees)  Centigrade leading to Heat waves.  While the Summer heat can reach scorching level...

Summer season is characterized with hot temperature. It is a period of the year the environment becomes hotter than it used to be. This is because during this season, the intensity of sun’s ray reaching the earth is usually very high and more focused as a result of the rotating nature of the earth which makes it tilt while rotating.   Excessive solar radiations increase atmospheric surface temperature and the heat content of the earth’s sur...