How to start your English in 21 days.
Already on Tuesday 22.2.2022 we are launching the second tour of the innovative English course English Half Marathon. It is an innovative English course for an adult student, and its pilot group consisted of Stellantis employees. For 21 days, they received assignments (for each day they had a choice of video, audio, article or reflection) and every day they had to record their found information, experiences on a voice message and send them to me in a group on WhatsApp. The course was created at the instigation of Milan Vlčák, a manager at Stellantis, who asked for a "guide" on how to learn English at home.
I am very proud of them all and I am delighted that we managed not only to start the pilot tour, but especially to reach a successful destination. All seven participants endured and "ran" 21 intense English days in unison.
In this way, I would like to convey to you their experiences, observations and suggestions for reflection. In addition to Milan, our leader – initiator, we had Adriana Bírová, Katarína Turanovičová, Andrea Korčáková, Mária Priehodová, Ivan Hvožddara and Zdenka Čertíková in the team. I experienced very engaging and intense English moments with them, which had a very strong impact on their motivation and activation of learning and using English. Judge for yourself:
1. What was it like for you to be part of the pilot English half marathon?
Katarína Turanovičová: I was sincerely looking forward to this type of teaching, as I did not know how such a way of learning could take place, and after sending the last audio recording, I had a really amazing feeling that I had done something more for myself, I was able to do something more to myself and, most importantly, I did not give up. I am a competitive type and I like to take on challenges, so the half marathon was a real example for me that I need to go for my own if I want to constantly improve.
Adriana Bírová: In a word, interesting. I like challenges, and when I got the opportunity to participate, I went for it. I had nothing to lose except to gain, and that came true.
Andrea Korčáková: It was a new challenge to try to learn English by another method, meet new people and get information from different areas.
2. How did you experience the days during the EHM? – how much time did it take you to study?
Katarína Turanovičová: Every day started with English. I looked at the topics for the following days in advance, so during normal activities such as household chores, cooking, sports, etc., I wondered what my topic might look like. It could be said that this way of learning took me much more time than I had originally devoted to the previous language course, so instead of being "present" at the language course for 3 hours a week, I now devoted AT LEAST an hour to each topic, so it was ultimately 7 hours a week instead of 3 hours.
Milan Vlčák: The daily preparation took 30 minutes or more – the length increased in proportion to the interestingness of the topic – the more interesting, the longer I spent with it – max 1.5h.
Zdenka Čertíková: I was looking forward to every new role. Sometimes I didn't want to, especially in the evening I already saw myself in bed, but "it was a principle" and I felt good after sending the message. This is undeniable. How much time did I devote to studying? – As when, according to the length of the text and the duration of the other activities that I had to or wanted to perform that day. When we weren't traveling anywhere on Saturday, I listened to the video and took notes for half a day, preparing my text in my mind even during a walk in the woods. Or during the transfer in the car, I thought about what and how I was going to say. Another time I gave it half an hour at work and then about an hour at home, by the TV, as part of relaxation, calmly watching a movie.
Adriana Bírová: Initially, I had to share, organize the time when and how I would devote myself to the tasks of the EHM. Then it was about discipline. On average, it took me 1-2 hours a day. But if I count the thoughts with which I lived with EHM for those 21 days (and nights), it was also more :)
3. What would you highlight the most about this new programme?
Katarína Turanovičová: Flexibility of time, I learned when I had time to do it, I could return to the topic several times if I had more work responsibilities and, of course, a choice of topics where one thinks about many things not only in English.
Ivan Hvoždara: Practicing English every day without a break, it was very intense. It is also great that a person catches new phrases even from "classmates".
Milan Vlčák: Flexibility in time, you learn when time allows you and when it suits you.
Adriana Bírová: Otherness, a completely different way of encountering English in different forms. An active and attractive way to consciously learn something without sitting for long hours studying over a book...
4. What have you learned? – from English, from the world, from different areas
Katarína Turanovičová: I definitely learned especially the use of times in English, my vocabulary expanded, I reintroduced my workbook from English, where I organized my thoughts daily and, of course, each and every topic gave me a new perspective and new information in its own way.
Adriana Bírová: Very interesting topics, motivational videos both from English and from different areas. And I learned to listen more in context.
Andrea Korčáková: I focused on improving pronunciation.
5. Have your expectations been met? If so, how? – partially, wholly or exceeded?
Katarína Turanovičová: Of course, my expectations came true, English actually became a kind of part of my daily life for 21 days, because as I mentioned earlier, I prepared these topics in advance in my head during normal activities.
Milan Vlčák: In part – I have to direct the preparation more towards the quality of the workmanship than towards the content.
Adriana Bírová: I didn't know what to expect at first, it was a completely new experience for me, but I am completely satisfied.
6. What have you developed the most? – both linguistically and in terms of personality development?
Katarína Turanovičová: Everything we learn develops our personality and our horizons, so not only the linguistic side, but also personal development is definitely in place.
Milan Vlčák: I thought about topics that I don't normally think about for days, some I prefer not to think about and I push them out, but they need to be addressed, and this marathon reminded me of some of them.
Adriana Bírová: As far as language is concerned – I can't accurately evaluate myself, but gradually I felt more confident in pronunciation. I have more confidence to speak. And I focused more on listening – that was important. The themes were very inspiring, engaging and really rewarding on a personal level. I got a lot of new information, which I didn't know at all, and many surprised me. In addition, listening to other colleagues' recordings, I have also revealed many times their perspective on things, on topics that resonate, that are more or less relevant to us. We each shared our thoughts, opinions, uncovered our views and opinions and that was great. Suddenly I felt a greater humanity in us :) . What sticks in my mind the most are the identical confessions of all our colleagues, how much we care about family relationships, and they keep us above everything... And all this nicely in English.
7. When you compare the traditional language courses you had in 2021 with this novelty, where do you see the biggest difference?
Katarína Turanovičová: I already mentioned the difference in the usual language course in question number 2. Not only did I dedicate more hours a week to English, but this was like an individual course where only I had the floor I had time to think and learn when it suited me.
Zdenka Čertíková: The biggest difference from other language courses is that a person here really uses English – mainly speaks, that is, he does what we learn English for. I managed both theory and conversation on textbook topics well in other courses, exercises and tests too, but I mainly have to say a lot. (You become a hunter when you start hunting, theoretical preparation is not enough... from some book). I learned to speak for myself in a foreign language, not just to answer questions. I prepare and say on the subject what I want. I can express my opinion or attitude to something in English. These are not just answers to questions or the formation of sentences. I regularly speak my text in my words. And that sending to a group and sharing with others gives it life.
Ivan Hvoždara: The biggest difference is that during the half marathon I use English every day without a break and in that it depends on each individual how much time he devotes to English. On the contrary, I missed feedback a little, I know that I make systematic mistakes in certain things, for example, in times, maybe in every recording, but I don't know about it so I am satisfied. :)
Adriana Bírová: Less stress, more I had to be active during EHM, everything depended on me, I couldn't rely on anyone else and at the same time make excuses for anyone. Read, study, translate, understand the topic, and then respond and compose your answer into a voice message of about a minute. It is a new, modern way, in a non-violent and yet conscious way, to learn something, to do something for yourself.
8. We continue at EHM in February, will you join?
Katarína Turanovičová: I will definitely join and I hope to be able to persuade one of my acquaintances to get involved and do something for themselves.
Milan Vlčák: Yes, although I may interrupt again at the time of the holiday.
Adriana Bírová: I would like to join.
9. If you had to recommend this novelty to friends and acquaintances, what would you tell them?
Katarína Turanovičová: If you want to prove to yourself that you have what it takes to be better, this is definitely one of the right ways to do it!
Ivan Hvoždara: If you don't want to and don't have much time, this is the ideal way to force yourself to improve your English.
Milan Vlčák: If you don't have daily contact with English, it's great, if you have daily contact, it's a variety.
Andrea Korčáková: It needs to be tried, it's better than an English test.
Adriana Bírová: Let me put it this way: My mother always told me ..."if you don't try anything, you don't mess anything up, but you don't learn anything either..."This can also be a way to overcome your comfort zone and move on... Need to try, and compare. All our lives we learn ... you will surely give me the truth :)
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Your Jana Chynoradská
