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Your imagination helps develop your ability to learn another language

March 16, 2023

Language opens the door that allows you to truly step into and understand another culture.  But understanding a foreign language and communicating effectively in the language propels you to a feeling of greater satisfaction and having a major sense of accomplishment.  Now, if you are not one for textbooks, curiosity, imagination, and exposure are excellent natural resources to help you improve your knowledge and speaking ability of the language. 

As I share my own imagination learning experience, I must say there are other ways to use your imagination to learn a language, such as the Hands Up Project (HUP) guided visualisation exercise. 


When I lived in South Florida, it baffled me how people within the Latin American community, who had lived there for decades, spoke little or no English.


Some 16 years ago I landed in Barcelona having what I now acknowledge as the most basic level of Spanish – and no idea that Catalan existed. As I worked my way from the airport to the train station, I realised that I was in for an unforgettable experience just having stepped into a twilight zone. 


My experience as a student and an EFL teacher in Spain is what has led me to where I am in my professional journey today. Admittedly, for several reasons it was not as easy for me to grasp the language: limited prior knowledge of the culture, almost always using my native language, confining myself to a small social circle that restricted my opportunities to improve my knowledge, and, finally, not having enough time to assimilate what I was studying. 


So how did I handle these challenges?  I was curious to know how my natural expressions in English, such as ‘in fact/as a matter fact’, would translate into Spanish and did my research. Then I would (and still do) imagine myself immersed in different situations and would practise, both in my head and aloud, how to say them. This approach reinforces learning and was key to me becoming more fluent despite my limitations. The more I practised imagining expressing myself in varied situations, as in my native language, I became more comfortable with Spanish. Furthermore, this has also helped me to become more aware of the nuances of the language used in various settings and contexts.


After the prep work was done, it was now time for me to put it into practice. This is the part that assures me my strategy works – at least to a point. Part of learning another language means immersing yourself in real situations and being vulnerable, exposing your language skill´s limitations and imperfections. 


Having first-hand experience is an amazing teaching tool! My experience both as a student and a teacher of a second language has helped me to inspire students to engage their imagination to further pique their interest in learning. Learning and teaching a language should be fun. So, get curious, use your imagination, and experience the culture; don’t be afraid to make mistakes, you’ll learn from them!


-Jacqueline Taylor, PhD Education 

Listen Up! Tips for Improving Your Language Listening and Comprehension Skills

March 24, 2023
Listening and comprehension are two of the most important skills when it comes to learning a foreign language. Without them, you may be able to read and write in the target language, but communicating effectively in real-life situations will be a challenge. Fortunately, at Kɒləkwi, we have some tips to help you improve your listening and comprehension skills and become a more confident language learner. Firstly, we recommend using audio and video resources to improve your listening skills. This could be anything from listening to podcasts or watching news programs in the target language. By doing so, you'll get accustomed to different accents and styles of speaking, which is crucial when it comes to communicating in real-life situations. You'll also become more familiar with the rhythm and intonation of the language, making it easier for you to understand native speakers. To reinforce your understanding, we also suggest asking comprehension questions. After listening to a podcast or watching a video, try asking yourself questions about what you just heard. What was the main point? What were the key takeaways? By doing so, you'll be able to check your understanding and identify areas where you may need more practice. Another great way to improve your listening and comprehension skills is to listen to music and watch movies in the target language. This can be a fun and engaging way to improve your language skills, as you'll be exposed to a range of vocabulary and grammar in a more natural setting. You can also use subtitles to help you follow along and pick up new words and phrases. At ˈkɒləkwi, we also encourage our learners to practice listening and comprehension with their classmates. You can listen to each other speak and ask comprehension questions to reinforce your understanding. This is also a great way to build your communication skills and become more comfortable speaking in the target language. In conclusion, improving your listening and comprehension skills is key to successful language learning. By using audio and video resources, asking comprehension questions, and practicing with your classmates, you'll become a more confident language learner and be able to communicate effectively in real-life situations. So, put on some music or watch a movie in the target language, and start practicing your listening and comprehension skills today!

Beyond Basic Phrases: Mastering Conversation Skills in a Foreign Language

March 24, 2023
Speaking a foreign language can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to conversation skills. You may know all the grammar rules and have a vast vocabulary, but when it comes to actually using the language in real-life situations, you freeze up. At Kɒləkwi, we know that feeling all too well, which is why we're here to help you build your conversation skills and feel confident communicating in the target language. So, let's start with the basics. Imagine you're traveling to a foreign country, and you need to order food or ask for directions. What phrases would you need to know? "Excuse me, do you speak English?" "I would like to order..." "Where is the nearest train station?" By learning these essential phrases, you'll be able to communicate effectively in everyday situations and feel more comfortable speaking in the target language. But conversation skills go beyond just knowing a few phrases. It's also about being able to hold a conversation with others. At Kɒləkwi, we encourage our learners to practice having short conversations with their classmates. By doing so, you'll not only improve your language skills but also your social skills. It's a great way to break the ice and make new friends while practicing your language skills at the same time. And why stop there? You can also practice your conversation skills outside of the classroom by joining language exchange programs or conversation clubs. By speaking with native speakers, you'll get a real taste of the language and culture and improve your skills in a more natural way. But conversation skills aren't just about the language itself. It's also about being culturally aware. Different cultures have different norms and expectations when it comes to socializing and communication. By learning about the cultural norms of the target language, you'll avoid cultural misunderstandings and show respect for the local culture. So, whether you're learning for personal or professional reasons, building your conversation skills is key to successful language learning. At Kɒləkwi, we're here to help you achieve your language goals and feel confident speaking in the target language.

Basic Level - Simple Sentence Structure

March 16, 2023
Welcome to the ˈKɒləkwi ® language learning program! In this week's lesson, we'll be focusing on simple sentence structure. This is an important topic because understanding how to construct basic sentences is the foundation for building more complex sentences and expressing oneself fluently in a foreign language.

Vocabulary Expansion Tips to Help You Succeed

March 16, 2023
As we communicate with others, it is important to use words and phrases that accurately convey our thoughts and ideas. A strong vocabulary can greatly improve our ability to express ourselves, and can also help us better understand others. However, expanding your vocabulary can be challenging, especially when you reach an intermediate level. In this blog post, we will explore some tips, exercises, and strategies for expanding your vocabulary at an intermediate level.
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