Hello again, Jim here from Smith’s School of English, Sagamihara, Japan. This month’s blog will be short and to the point. I hope that it answers a few questions that we sometimes receive.
Coaches and Language Learners
We teachers here at Smith’s School of English really don’t consider ourselves teachers. We are coaches that strive to help people become confident in their ability to speak English. Similarly, it is in my opinion that our students are not students. They are language learners. Teachers and students are what happens between elementary school and university. Coaches and language learners are what Smith’s is all about.
With that said, we coaches sometimes get the question “how long will it take for me to become fluent,” or “how long will it take me to level-up?” None of us can answer that question, because every language learner is different. It really comes down to desire, effort, and outside study.
Sagamihara Jim’s Advice
My message here to all of Smith’s language learners is to go at your own comfortable pace. Have fun with it. Take away deadlines and enjoy learning. Get the “test-taking” mentality out of your head, relax, and instead take “footsteps,” big or small. There is no rush! Take it slowly and never give up, because there is no “finish line.” It all comes together in time!
As an amateur musician I have been taking “baby steps” for the last 45 years while enjoying the ride! No “finish line” for me! Learning a language is no different as long as you enjoy the process.
Tom from Smith’s School of English Katsura also has some excellent advice on the same topic here; please have a look: https://sse-franchise.com/making-mistakes-and-forgetting-dont-worry/ We at Smith’s love and enjoy what we do, and that is, helping you! Relax, learn, enjoy. Your pace.
Thanks for reading; be back next month!
Jim, Smith’s School of English, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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