An online platform should let us discover new and engaging ways to extract relevant informations, understand practices and learn languages: italian grammars are commonly available, for sure, but they probably can’t meet the needs of professionals anymore, both in terms of effectiveness and available time. Thus, online learning makes full sense if we’re able to understand technologies and the possibilities that they bring with them: this is why we’re going to make a creative use of multimedia material, which I’ll choose depending on each student’s interests and goals. We’ll leverage the power of Preply Space to share articles, online videos, italian songs, ads, podcasts, speeches and just any kind of support - including Amazon Echo - which is able to provide you with an easy flowing and rewarding learning experience.
Methods also play a vital role. Lesson after lesson, we are going to choose the best method that works best for you: translation method, audio-lingual method, direct method and Total Physical Response Method (which by the way is one of the most scientifically effective ways to learn a second or third language) all have their pros and cons and it will be my responsability to mix different elements in order to get the formula that better suits your needs. Let's learn something more about each of them:
This method is based on the principles of behavior psychology. It adapted many of the principles and procedures of the Direct Method, in part as a reaction to the lack of speaking skills of the Reading Approach.
New material is presented in the form of a dialogue. Based on the principle that language learning is habit formation, the method fosters dependence on mimicry, memorization of set phrases and over-learning. Structures are sequenced and taught one at a time. Structural patterns are taught using repetitive drills. Little or no grammatical explanations are provided; grammar is taught inductively.
Skills are sequenced: listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed in order. Vocabulary is strictly limited and learned in context. Teaching points are determined by contrastive analysis between Language one and Language two. There is abundant use of language laboratories, tapes and visual aids. There is an extended pre-reading period at the beginning of the course. Great importance is given to precise native-like pronunciation.
Use of the mother tongue by the teacher is permitted, but discouraged among and by the students. Successful responses are reinforced; great care is taken to prevent learner errors. There is a tendency to focus on manipulation of the target language and to disregard content and meaning.
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This approach was developed initially as a reaction to the grammar-translation approach in an attempt to integrate more use of the target language in instruction.
Lessons begin with a dialogue using a modern conversational style in the target language. Material is first presented orally with actions or pictures. The mother tongue is never used. There is no translation. The preferred type of exercise is a series of questions in the target language based on the dialogue or an anecdotal narrative. Questions are answered in the target language.
Grammar is taught inductively, rules are generalized from the practice and experience with the target language. Verbs are used first and systematically conjugated only much later after some oral mastery of the target language. Advanced students read literature for comprehension and pleasure. Literary texts are not analyzed grammatically. The culture associated with the target language is also taught inductively. Culture is considered an important aspect of learning the language.
Do you think this method could work just fine for you? Get a 30% discount on your first lesson and see how it works!
Total Physical Response is a method of teaching language or vocabulary concepts by using physical movement to react to verbal input.
James J. Asher defines the Total Physical Response (TPR) method as one that combines information and skills through the use of the kinesthetic sensory system. This combination of skills allows the student to assimilate information and skills at a rapid rate. As a result, this success leads to a high degree of motivation. The basic tenets are:
• Understanding the spoken language before developing the skills of speaking.
• Imperatives are the main structures to transfer or communicate information.
• The student is not forced to speak, but is allowed an individual readiness period and allowed to spontaneously begin to speak when the student feels comfortable and confident in understanding and producing the utterances.
Do you think this method could work just fine for you? Get a 30% discount on your first lesson and see how it works!
This approach was historically used in teaching Greek and Latin. The approach was generalized to teaching modern languages.
Classes are taught in the students' mother tongue or in english, with little active use of the target language. Vocabulary is taught in the form of isolated word lists. Elaborate explanations of grammar are always provided. Grammar instruction provides the rules for putting words together; instruction often focuses on the form and inflection of words. Reading of difficult texts is begun early in the course of study.
Little attention is paid to the content of texts, which are treated as exercises in grammatical analysis. Often the only drills are exercises in translating disconnected sentences from the target language into the mother tongue, and vice versa. Little or no attention is given to pronunciation.
Do you think this method could work just fine for you? Get a 30% discount on your first lesson and see how it works!
Being professionally organized is paramount when you're expected to deliver a high-quality service: lessons must be taken on-time, audio and video should be clear, the connection must be stable and the whole atmosphere should just feel, well, right. These are just a few of the aspects that I care about before starting my classes:
Up to 5MP webcam and Trust Mauro USB headset or JBL E40BT headphones with Pure Konnexx™ technology
200 Megabits per second FTTC plan by Tiscali Italia plus 4G 50 Gigabytes backup connection by PosteMobile
Always-on secure connections, both here and on Preply.com: students' data are safe and kept private
Quiet home/office space for relaxed and effective communication, natural and LED light available
“Marco attaches great importance to all aspects of learning, phonetics, grammar and communication skills”
November 2019
“In each lesson you hear a sincere love for the mother tongue, which is passed on to students”
November 2019