01 July 2016 / by Marjan Van Rij

Are you capable of learning English?

One of my students told me after his two-hour class by videoconference that he felt very comfortable because he was able to follow most of it. Still he didn’t feel comfortable enough to speak at any time. He is at a beginner’s level but far from a beginner. I am talking about a middle-aged man who has been studying English almost his entire life but for some reason doesn’t think of himself as capable because he doesn't get the hang of it. I cannot help but asking myself why?

Coming from the Netherlands, I grew up learning English as a second language as well. However I feel like I’ve never put much effort into it. Somehow it just came naturally. That’s why I find it difficult at times to understand why others seem to struggle so much. Can you really blame it to the dubbed films, the badly taught classes or the lack of studying? In my personal opinion, it can all be part of it. But when I think of my own education, I cannot say that any of these reasons are the cause for not getting it.

I’d like to believe that anyone is capable of doing anything as long as one’s mind is set to it. So I asked him: “Do you think you’re capable of learning English and will speak it with confidence one day?” He answered a simple “Me? Never”. Never? Really never? Of course if you’ve been studying all your life a language, which you deem vital but have never really needed because you haven’t left the country, what would you think? And moreover, what am I as a teacher supposed to do now?

I wanted to change his mind and convince him that he’s also able to speak English. So I ended up comparing which usually goes a little like this:


  1. I compare English with a sport.



  2. I compare English with one’s studies.



  3. I compare English with one of their own goals in life.



What do all these comparisons have in common? If the student hadn’t given up it was probably because he believed that it was somehow possible. That he can do it. This, I think, is key. If you don’t consider something possible, you'll probably give up, right? So why should someone study English without thinking that he/she is capable of doing it? For me that sounds like hell. It reminds me of Sisyphus rolling a rock uphill which knows will roll down right before he reaches the top. You don’t want your students to think of English as their Sisyphean rock though, do you?

So I reminded him that we have been speaking English for a full hour today. That he was capable to understand it all and that he was totally understandable for me. That at the beginning of the class, he didn’t know words like flip-flops, beach ball and mini fridge (we were planning summer holidays this time) and now he knows. If he shifts his goal from “speaking English” to smaller goals like today “being able to talk about holidays” or “telling what I did last weekend”, he’ll notice that he can reach those goals within an hour. That he's actually capable of learning English.

This all could contribute to changing his mind. That he'll think one day that he is capable of speaking English. How important this is? It's all explained in this Ted Talk. So let’s focus on the small things and make our students feel that they’re not rolling rocks uphill for nothing!

27

October 2017
The teachers are in the epicentre of the Oxinity growth model
by Jonatan Buxeda
Today I'd like to share what we have...

17

October 2017
Frustration of Students: Common Scenarios and How to Manage Them
by Jushua Cutts
‘’Mistakes are he portals to discovery’’ Frustration is defined as the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something. This is a common feeling that ...

06

October 2017
Teaching kids: challenges and winning strategies
by Gabriel Ekoe González
In an increasing demand for English classes,  important points to consider when teaching kids are how to teach also what makes a good kids’ activity. Perhaps the most important thing to consider when teaching kids is their attenti...

04

July 2017
10 Real Reasons to do a TEFL Course in Spain
by Radmila Gurkova
TEFL Course in Spain - The time is now! July and August are the best months to decide to make the step into sunshine by signing yourself up to a TEFL course in September here in Spain. It's the perfect time to start something new. If you are a native English speaker or bilingual and you have an upbeat,...

04

July 2017
7 Tips on Giving Feedback to ESL Teachers
by Peter Nesbitt
Giving feedback to ESL teachers can be tricky, particularly when you have something critical to say. But yet it is also important, as without it, how can people learn? Sure, they can rely on their own self-evaluation of how they are doing, but if you have ever watched any TV talent show, you will see that a lot of people just aren't very good...

21

June 2017
Teacher Talks - Sharing expertise and experience
by Ryan Beaudelaire
Teacher Talks - Sharing expertise and experiences Things worth sharing We´ve had something up our sleeve for the last few weeks and we´re ready to do what we love and sha...

06

June 2017
Level testing: How to test a student's level?
by Ryan Beaudelaire
Level testing: How do you do it? Level testing...... Ooooh, lets talk! Unless you've been asked that awkward question outright: 'What level am I?' You won't know what's it like to to be a deer in the headlights and respond with something really daft in a high pitched voice like.... 'Yeah, really good!' Li...

02

June 2017
Teaching beginners: is translating really necessary?
by Radmila Gurkova
A big debate around teaching beginners has always been whether it is necessary or not to translate into the learners' mother tongue. Opinions are split and vary from definitely not to maybe sometimes yes or, in the other extreme, of course yes, translating is fast and effective. Translating seems straightforward and historically it has bee...

18

May 2017
Masterclass in ESL at Oxbridge to share and learn about expertise areas
by Gracia Guzmán
The Oxbridge English Teaching System (OETS) is made out of a wide and wide community of teachers from different countries and backgrounds. Offering a masterclass in ESL for different areas of expertise was necessary and easy at the same time, having in mind the richness of profiles of our community members. This is why we are currently devoti...

02

May 2017
Move to Spain - Have my life! It´s easy
by Ryan Beaudelaire
Move to Spain - Have my life! It´s easy! Last Sunday, this is how we spent our Sunday afternoon, chillin' up the Mountain at Montserrat! Just another mountaintop Benedictine monastery you know! ...