What we’re about
This group is for anyone interested in learning Spanish, French or German. Each one-hour lesson we will be working with one language and one level.
The group is suitable mainly for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of the language(s) but beginners (A1-A2) can also benefit from the lessons. (Occasionally B1 lessons will be offered too.)
The goal will be strictly communicative, which means that you will be learning interactive (conversational or written) utterances that will enable you to ask for and give information. However, we will focus on developing grammar accuracy which will provide you with a strong base for further learning.
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FAQs
* What does A1, A2, B1 stand for?
They are scales that belong to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is an international standard for describing language ability on a six-point scale: from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language in the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
* What is the "Complete Beginners Course" I offer here on MeetUp?
It is a four-lesson course to have a taste of how the language you are interested in works, compared to English. While learning how to introduce yourself and others, we will be dealing with pronunciation as well as some grammatical features and useful vocabulary. I do recommend you join from the very first lesson since they are all linked. The lessons are free but all contributions, no matter how small, will be much appreciated ([paypal.me/LiveLanguageLessons](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile)).
* Why don't you allow too many people to join the Complete Beginners lessons?
Since what I offer here are lessons, the less students there are, the more feedback you get to receive. "Less is more". If I have a group of 500 students, there is no chance that I can provide each of them with individual feedback. What I mean by "feedback" in the Complete Beginners is mainly --though not exclusively-- correct your pronunciation.
* I have completed the Complete Beginners Course, now what?
I usually have open A1 courses available in your target language (Spanish, German and French), outside of MeetUp. Feel free to send me a message here on MeetUp, if you are interested.
* Who am I?
I am a professional language tutor, university lecturer, interpreter and translator. While spending 10+ years at university studying languages from an applied (translation and language teaching) and theoretical (philosophy of language) linguistic perspective, I started travelling around the globe and noticed how powerful languages are to create bridges between peoples and cultures (not to mention the tons of opportunities the whole world has to offer). Due to Covid, I stopped travelling and decided to share what I have learnt along the way, opening this group on MeetUp. I have always believed more in teaching than translating ("give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime") and so I am here to make it easier for you to start learning a new language. And yet, you need to know (in case you do not know it already) it does require time, patience and dedication ("nothing good is ever easy"), but totally worth it if you are up to the challenge.
As a globetrotter I usually collect life experiences that feed my writing. Feel free to have a look here: https://vocal.media/authors/laura-rodben-s5i99c03ai
* Do you have a website?
I am currently working on it. It will be published here once it is ready.
* Do you give private lessons? How do they work?
Yes. We focus on your language needs according to your time availability (usually 1-1.5h/week) and short-term goals (e.g. a coming trip). For details send me a message here on MeetUp.
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On the link below you can let me know your learning needs, so that I take them into consideration for future lessons: https://forms.gle/L286J3x8eerMuA4Z7. In case you do not know what your level is, you can send me a message.
Need some motivation to go travel abroad? Have a look at a runner-up story I published on Vocal, "The Beginning" (https://vocal.media/wander/the-beginning-sa3q042r) or at my Substack (https://laurarodben.substack.com/)