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How to go about teaching English to Ukrainians? [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-11-29  

You might have noticed a group of Ukraine-supporters here at DailyKos has set out to tutor Ukrainians in the English language, and stimulate cultural exchange. If you have no idea, you can get a taste here. Perhaps you are considering tutoring yourself, or you have just started out and could use some input on how to go about that? Then this is for you!

My name is Okke Mostard, I am a first degree qualified teacher and got experience in various kinds of teaching and coaching. And there a few general insights I would like to share with you. It might even be useful to the veteran teacher, although it is understood they are just about all-knowing ;-).

In conjuncture with the efforts of @captainfactoid I decided to write The two-page summary on how to teach English. It is a file you can download, and therefore also adapt to your preferences. Feel free to use and distribute as you see fit. It covers some practical issues and some teaching techniques, but mostly aims to put you in your “role” as a tutor. Below you find the preamble, so to give you an idea. I hope there is some inspiration in here for you!

Preamble

The primary requirement for effective cognitive learning, is to feel safe. Without feeling socially safe your student will find it nearly impossible to be vulnerable. Learning a language requires being vulnerable to looking or feeling “stupid” a lot. Because your student will have to experiment, make errors and try many times over to get it right. And all the while your student is struggling, you are looking on and evaluating them. This focus on safety might look unnecessary or even patronizing towards adults, but they still need it. In fact, the more your student signals toughness and nonchalance, the more you have to assume they don't feel safe yet. Students that feels safe will show their struggles and vulnerability to you. They will be more eager, more pro-active during the sessions, and indeed learn a lot quicker.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/29/2208660/-How-to-go-about-teaching-English-to-Ukrainians?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web

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