Thu, 13 Aug 2020 13:20:00 +0000Géralde Vincent-BancroftLearning to learn is the ability to carry on learning persistently, to organise one’s own learning through effective time management and information.This include awareness of one’s learning process and needs whilst identifying available opportunities and abilities to overcome obstacles allowing…
Learning to learn is the ability to carry on learning persistently, to organise one’s own learning through effective time management and information.This include awareness of one’s learning process and needs whilst identifying available opportunities and abilities to overcome obstacles allowing to learn effectively.
When students decide to teach themselves, all the learning decisions fall upon them. Most of the time, they are unsure of where to start, which learning materials to choose, and in these cases, learning how to learn a language could be extremely useful.
A language is learnt not for the sake of knowledge but to be able to use it, and this is communicative competence. Learners who decide to teach themselves should be able to choose and learn what is relevant to them and fulfil their communicative needs. They must be taught to take these kind of decisions based on their objectives by giving them the tools allowing them to analyse such needs and expectations, and how to describe them. They should be able to self-organise their learning based on their intuition of what linguistic competence and language learning entail.
They should know what learning behaviour is, the process of language acquisition, which learning technique can be used to learn a specific thing.
Students should be taught to discover their own learning style, so that they can choose appropriate learning materials and the time and duration of each learning session.
Learners should be trained at becoming experienced decision makers through practice.
They should be able to analyse their language needs and discover the ways to satisfy them.
They should define their learning objectives considering the skills they already have and certain learning hurdles like the time availability.
They should learn to experiment with the diverse methods available and manage their learning program adequately.
When learners struggle in assimilating new knowledge and skills, they may seek and use the guidance of a foreign language coach who can help them identify all these processes.
How does language coaching help?
Language coaching addresses the emotional, motivational, and practical side of learning a language. Language coaching helps learners develop awareness of the conditions that influence their learning. Negative experiences from your past can hinder your progress. That is the reason why coaching works by helping learners unearth past limiting beliefs and self-loathing.
They become conscious of their reasons for learning the language, their mid-term and long-term objectives, and their degree of motivation. With the help of the coach learners assess their current situations and where they want to go.
Language coaching applies the principle that learners can self-direct their language study, meaning that they are responsible for taking all decisions about their own learning process. They decide what to prioritise, their achievement goals, their learning projects, which resources will help them, what specific approach to learning they wish to try, and how to evaluate their results.
Language coaching encourages the learner to analyse and think about the different aspects of learning.
The coach supports learners in finding solutions to existing problems and providing adequate resources for them to overcome a specific hurdle.
Language coaching encourages learners to focus on successful strategies that can be implemented and where changes are required. This is the coaching formula for success.
Learners optimise their learning by working together with their language coach. The latter should not issue his/her own opinion, recommendations, and tips but guide coachees in finding their own solutions.
With the help of the coach, the student learns to learn building on prior learning and life experiences, and they apply their newly found skills in different contexts. The coach also works on the learner’s confidence and motivation.
IN SUMMARY:
✔Coaching helps learners apply effective language learning and allow them to progress faster than with a course only.
✔The coachee has a more active participation in his/her learning process and takes more responsibility.
✔Feedback is ongoing and acknowledging the coachee efforts and achievements boosts his/her motivation and commitment.
✔No books are needed, and information is transmitted via free and open coaching conversations and dialogues allowing the coachee to assimilate and then put the knowledge into practical use immediately.
✔The coach will help the coachee understand the barriers preventing him/her from getting results.
✔The objective is to maximise the potential of the learner.
✔The coach keeps the client engaged, motivated, valued and committed.
✔Coaching is client focused and tailor-made.
✔The coaching sessions stimulate reflection.
At the end of the coaching process learners become more independent, motivated, and successful.
If you are interested in knowing more about language coaching, book a FREE discovery session.