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Our Method

In 150 Words

In our sessions, we use a 100% conversation-based method to create a space where an authentic conversation can take place. In this space, we focus on three key aspects of effective foreign language learning:

Get comfortable with mistakes and feel good using the language
Build relevant communicative skills to handle real-life conversations
Create a strong habit of using and expanding those skills

Having worked with hundreds of language learners, we have designed a method to address these three aspects and help you reach your goals. The method is made up of two parts which we call The Principles and The Pledge.

The Principles are the cornerstones of our sessions and it is primarily our responsibility that they are followed whenever we meet.

The Pledge is your end of the bargain: a live document to hold yourself accountable for the effort you put into the pursuit of your goals.

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… or explore our method in more detail below

The Principles

Principle I: Connection

Effective learning is based on real connection and we learn best with people we like

The most basic premise is that there needs to be a real connection between guide and student. We learn languages best with people we like, when we feel at ease and inspired. Many language learners are stuck at a point where they feel a real sense of dread every time they “have to” use the language. We see it as our core mission to help you get over that dread and become more comfortable with your mistakes, by building on principles of active listening, authentic conversations and playfulness. This is also why we say that if you feel like the chemistry is lacking, you are probably better off finding another teacher.

Principle II: Flow

Full immersion, at the edge of your ability, with topics you enjoy

“Flow” may be summarized as a mental state of complete immersion and focused energy in an activity, leading to peak performance and enjoyment. It is a wonderful feeling that is often lost when we get stuck in our learning journey. To achieve flow, we find topics you really care about or that have real practical value for you and then talk about them at the edge of your capacity. Too often students need to endlessly engage with topics they don’t care about or with material that either overwhelms or under-stimulates them. One of our core strengths is identifying the level of your language skill and leading a conversation right around that edge.

Principle III: Feedback

Nudging in the right moment, where it really matters.

A lot of traditional language teaching lacks a mechanism whereby you get immediate, tailored feedback for whether what you said was correct or not. Yet, understanding our mistakes is one of the most essential parts of any learning experience. Rather than trying to avoid mistakes altogether, we rank them in priority and take care of those that most inhibit communication first, before working toward finer details. The point is not to be corrected every time you make a mistake, because that too can feel overwhelming. You need a guide who corrects you where it matters most, starting with mistakes that seriously affect a conversation, then working toward details. Understanding and communicating the nuances of this guidance without breaking our flow is a real art and one of the most important skills we have developed over the years.

Principle IV: Repetition

Learning through repeated exposure

Most language learners learn new words only to find a week later that they have already forgotten them. One of our tasks is to keep track of your new vocabulary and weave it into subsequent conversations. Rather than relying on brute memorization, we work with repeated exposure until the new word sticks. Language in use, tailored to the current stage of your learning process, is a much more effective way to learn that will complement (not replace) your own efforts outside our sessions to boost your progress.

Principle V: No Translation, No Grammar*

Less time talking about, more time talking in your target language

In our sessions, we try to avoid translating as much as possible. You don’t want to learn how to translate, you want to learn to communicate and feel comfortable in your new language. Language learning benefits enormously from extended immersive periods, where the answer to questions should be found in the target language; only if absolutely necessary should a word or concept be clarified in a language other than the target language. Not only does this allow us to build stronger habits and normalize using your new language, it also creates the kind of exposure mentioned above. Grammar is treated somewhat in the same vein. Our method is primarily communicative, and grammar is touched only if necessary or at your request. If we discuss grammar it should be in your target language so that you simultaneously benefit from immersion, exposure and habit formation. Private classes are best used for communicative practice, not grammar explanations that you could look up online by yourself.

(Principle VI: We’re Social Creatures)

Language is a social endeavor and nothing beats the effectiveness of mutual learning.

Our method was designed for 1-on-1 sessions but shines brightest in small groups of up to four students. The reason for this is that a group of language learners often holds between them the answers to most of their questions. We have several years of experience facilitating group sessions where we tease latent knowledge out of language learners and have found two big benefits to this method. For one, it is an enormous confidence boost to be able to explain something that somebody else wants to know, providing just the kind of momentum successful language learning builds on. More importantly, however, explaining something is a true test of your understanding and activates parts of your brain that seriously benefit long-term memory.

The Pledge

The Pledge is a contract with yourself in which you specify concrete, measurable targets and pledge a minimum daily effort that you decide yourself. You will also decide on a consequence for not upholding your end of the bargain: anything from a small donation to a political organization you dislike to a day without social media.

Remember: no one can learn the language for you. A tutor can provide you with guidance but the heavy lifting you will have to do yourself. Too often, our good intentions and New Year’s Resolutions quickly fizzle out long before we reach our goals. The Pledge is a sober reminder that determination and consistency rest at the core of virtually every success story. Motivation runs in natural cycles of high and low, and during the inevitable low, the Pledge will be there to remind you to take yourself and your goals seriously.

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FAQ

Do I need any previous knowledge of my target language?

No. However, our method is 100% based on conversations in your target language, which works a lot better if you already know some basics. We can learn your target language from scratch, relying on the same principles, but of course it will be less of a conversation, and more of a familiarization with the basics. In general, we recommend a medium A2 level as a great entry point into our classes.

Am I not going to learn any grammar at all?

In general, we are not going to focus on grammar, but ultimately that is your decision. In most cases, students learn grammar on their own – with textbooks or in a language school – while time with a private coach is better spent practicing communication. But if you prefer to have more grammatical explanations, those can be woven into your classes, so long as they do not disrupt Flow.

If I get a private instructor, why should I learn in a group?

There are three main advantages to learning in a small group. First, the focus of the conversation is distributed between several people which allows for longer and more immersive sessions. Second, since group sessions are significantly cheaper for the individual student, you get more tutor time for the same price. Finally, and most importantly, language learners, even if they are roughly on the same level, usually have different strengths and weaknesses. A good language coach can facilitate a group discussion in a way that maximizes each student’s potential and allows you to explain what you already know to the rest of the group. This technique seriously strengthens long term memory, increases your confidence and tests whether you truly know what you think you know.

You mentioned Growth Mindset – what’s the idea?

In some cases, the troubles a language learner experiences in their language learning journey depends less on their language abilities and more on their mindset. They might be stuck in a negative mental trap where they feel embarrassed about their skills and ashamed to use them. This creates a negative cycle that inhibits learning progress. For those cases, we have developed a number of techniques to cultivate a Growth Mindset: the ability to focus on the way rather than the goal, to embrace mistakes as opportunity for growth, where instead of rewarding you after your session, you enjoy a feeling of reward during the session.

Does your method work for everyone?

The success of the method largely depends on two factors: your learning goals and the effort you invest outside of our classes. As stated above, our method is best suited for students who want to improve their oral communication skills. If you want to practice reading and writing, those can be woven into sessions as well, but if it is your main focus, we usually recommend other (free) language learning tools (send us a message to learn about them). It should also come as no surprise that the method depends largely on your commitment outside the classes. You do not need to study eight hours a day, but consistency and daily practice are key in language learning which is why we work with the Pledge. We will provide you with a number of repetition tools and encourage you to apply what you learn in the time between your sessions. The speed of your progress will largely depend on how seriously you take those two steps.

How do I know if the method is for me?

Without giving it a try, it is difficult to know whether a specific teaching style works for us or not. I encourage you to carefully read the method description and decide for yourself whether or not you think it aligns with your goals. If you are unsure, and to give you more confidence to take the first step, I offer you your first session for free: you will get to know the method in theory and in practice, and decide afterward whether or not you want to continue – no strings attached.

Our Method

In 150 Words

Read Enough?

The Principles

Principle I: Connection

Effective learning is based on real connection and we learn best with people we like

Read More

Principle II: Flow

Full immersion, at the edge of your ability, with topics you enjoy

Read More

Principle III: Feedback

Nudging in the right moment, where it really matters.

Read More

Principle IV: Repetition

Learning through repeated exposure

Read More

Principle V: No Translation, No Grammar*

Less time talking about, more time talking in your target language

Read More

(Principle VI: We’re Social Creatures)

Language is a social endeavor and nothing beats the effectiveness of mutual learning.

Read More

The Pledge

FAQ

Do I need any previous knowledge of my target language?

Am I not going to learn any grammar at all?

If I get a private instructor, why should I learn in a group?

You mentioned Growth Mindset – what’s the idea?

Does your method work for everyone?

How do I know if the method is for me?

Språkverk Language Guidance