Languages Out There

After doing a 'before and after' comparison for Waldek I thought it might be interesting to compare Jane's first conversation with me with one after her most recent lesson. She's only done six EOT lessons (about 10-12 hours of offline study and 5-6 hours of focused speaking practice, if that), so I thought I might be stretching things a bit in terms of audible progress

Have a listen and see if you can hear any difference? Listen out for any changes in confidence, fluency, vocabulary development and accuracy.

Jane is 27, was born and brought up in China but now lives in France as a student. She is studying architecture in French in Strasbourg. One of the interesting things about Jane's EOT sessions is that unlike with Waldek I have not controlled which lessons she has studied, she has.

She became a free member of the LOT website and got access to 12 self-study lesson plans. She contacted me to ask me to send her some of the lower level ones (Beginner) with Chinese instructions so that she knew exactly what she was meant to do with them. She also made the decision herself to start with Beginners lessons (level A1). Totally of her own volition her sixth lesson which the second clip here is from, is an Intermediate lesson (level B2).

If you have the time listen to the recording of session 6b with Jane where she and I discuss what happens when her mind goes blank from time to time as she searches for the right words.

If you find what we do interesting do go to our site and sign up to get some free samples: http://www.languagesoutthere.com Or visit ouor Facebook page at: http://www.Facebook.com/EnglishOutThere We'd love to hear from you!

UPDATE: Professor Stephen Krashen, the world famous academic expert on second language acquisition left a comment on this podcast audio case study. He also asked a question. I have now asked Jane and here are her answers to my questions. Personally I am most excited about her answer to question 5. in which she says she thinks that EOT helped English speaking to become a 'habit'. Have a read for yourselves:

Submitted on 01.06.2010 via Skype. Replies via Skype (questions 1. and 2.) the same day and email on 19.06.10

Hey Jane...how is the revision going? I need to ask you some questions re: your English study. The reason I am asking all of these questions is because you did incredibly well and made a huge improvement very quickly. Your improvement has been noticed by one of the world's most famous professors of linguistics and language teaching and learning, Stephen Krashen. He has contacted me and wants to analyse your performance. You don't need to do anything, just answer these questions and maybe a few more or even have some more recorded Skype conversations with me when you have finished your exams. If I can have this information from you I can work with Professor Krashen and he can help us to help millions more English learners like you who really want to be able to speak English with confidence. Thanks, I hope you can help, I will email this too. You did really really well...see I told you so Oh, did you keep writing your learning diary, remember, at the start???? That would be really useful if you could share it with me...?

1) How long have you been learning English (from what age to now)? You're 27, right? I've been learning English since i was eleven, the forth year in primary school, until now...total sixteen years.

2) How were you taught at school, at uni in China, at uni in France? Can you describe it? I was taught first the prononciation, and then some littles textes to express how to say "how are you? i'm fine." like this, accompagner the grammer at the same time. i studied english in china, primary school, middle school, hight school, untill univer in china, not in france

3) Outside of formal English lessons, what exposure have you had to English, in other words how much contact with the English language have you had over the years (for example, do you read a lot of English or listen to English language radio)? Also, can you tell me how much you had during our first six EOT sessions? Well, generally we have some homework to do after those lessons in grammar.Except this, sometimes i listen to the international radio which broadcast English music or some subjects relate to economic, science, nature. And some interviews etc. When i participated in the EOT sessions, i did regularly one lesson everyday and accompanied my dictionary of course, at the same time found thepronunciation of words to improve my speaking level. I think that review the lessons again and again is very important. So I utilized about two hours for doing the whole. Even my iPod was filled with many English music and dialogues that i did with my teacher Jason in the courses and some talking books.

4) When you were using the EOT lesson plans and speaking with me for practice, did you talk to anyone else in English in the same way (i.e. have other practice partners and use the language with them)? if you did, how much time did you spend talking to them? I think it's also necessary to practice the spoken language with someone else who are the real English-speaking. And this can be the great way to correct lots of my faults in express parole during our communications. We do the practice off and on because of the time difference and the schedule of my courses. It depends, but finally we communicate 2 or 3 times per week andevery time take about half one hour.

5) In your own mind and in your own words can you explain what happened to you when you used the EOT lesson plans before speaking to me? How do you explain your improvement? I think the EOT lessons are very interesting and practical for me. First, at the beginning, it was difficult to me to explain something in my mind. And the EOT lesson plans made me have a desire to improve my speaking because i think that the vocabulary and the expression are very useful in the real life. In other words, we use them everywhere, every time and everyday. They are very practical! Well, after several regular communications with professor Jason online accompany lots of exercises on the plans, they made me not only enrich my vocabulary quantity, but made also the English speaking become a kind of habit to me. I think that is my improvement. I think it's also necessary to practice the spoken language with someone else who are the real English-speaking. And this can be the great way to correct lots of my faults in express parole during our communications. We do the practice off and on because of the time difference and the schedule of my courses. It depends, but finally we communicate 2 or 3 times per week andevery time take about half one hour.

6) Can you list the lesson plans you used and why you chose them? (I can do this but I really want you to think about them again and explain why you chose them). The lesson plans that i studied are: Level 1, Lesson 6 Places in town and directions Lesson 9 shopping - Lesson 18 Minor physical complaints - at the chemist's Level 2, Lesson 10 Making plans - Lesson 20 Lifestyle Level 3, Lesson 4 Describing objects - Lesson 19 Inventions Level 4, Lesson 3 Manners - Lesson 14 What had happened? Level 5, Lesson 14 Animals and us ( ing... ) Well, i chose them because i need them. It means that i can use them when i go to the other countries Europeans where i can communicate with people there inEnglish because it is difficult to find somebody speak the Chinese or the French with you. But, everybody understand English! And the lesson plans I had chosen are definitely practical for me!

7) This is information that Jane added about the way she studied and used the audio clips of our conversations: I downloaded every recording when Jason had posted them online. And i put them iniPod, listened them when i was free. It's very interesting to listen my conversation with Jason because through it, i can discover what i need to improve again. On the whole, i study English in this new way made me not just improve my Englishlevel (especially speaking), but made many friends all around the world.

I hope you find this research interesting and that it inspires you to give EOT a go. You can buy EOT ebook courses on our website at http://englishoutthere.com/english-student-courses

As of today's date (25th April 2010) Waldek has used 11 English Out There (EOT) self-study lesson plans and done the speaking practice with me online using Skype and Vivox Voice on Facebook. He began using EOT materials on 10th March 2010.

11 EOT lessons amount to approximately 22 hours of self-study and, with me, about 6 hours of speaking and listening practice.

On my suggestion Waldek has also created his own small PLN (Personal Learning Network) on Facebook and now has a couple of English speaking friends in other parts of the world with whom he has also done some practice related to these lessons.

He tells me that his sessions with the other two or three English speakers are a lot shorter than those with me. So he has probably done another three to four hours of focused practice with them.

So, I would say he has had total contact time with the language of approximately 30 hours.

The first clip of Waldek speaking is from 10th March and the second one is from 25th April 2010.

Have a listen and see if you think he has improved in any way?

Do please send any comments you have to us.

Contact: info_at_languagesoutthere.com

This is the first time since we started English Out There eleven years ago that we have taught it in London using no classrooms whatsoever.

On the last day of a group's two week course (10 lesson/30 hours), as they were getting ready to say goodbye, I had a brief chat with Angelina one of the group leaders. She is an English teacher in a French secondary school.

I was curious to hear what she and the students thought about our course, especially since we had done everything outside of the classroom.

What Angelina told me made me ask her if I could interview her and put the clip online for others to hear. She very kindly said I could.

Have a listen as Angelina, a veteran of seven study trips with teenage English learners, describes the differences between what all of the other English schools do and what we do. It made me a very happy man last Friday

Here's Noemi before and after her short English Out There course in central London...again the product of ten classes that were conducted completely without the use of a classroom!

Have a listen, can you hear a difference in the way Noemi speaks?

Charles is a lovely bloke and although his English wasn't great he volunteered to be recorded at the start and end of his EOT course in London.

This year we decided not to use any classrooms at all to teach EOT. We wanted to stimulate the students' minds a bit more in the input stage (at the start of the lesson) by not asking them to go into a classroom (like they do all year at home).

It seemed to work as, in anonymous written feedback, 78% gave the English Out There course 4 or 5 out of 5 (60.8% gave it 4, 17% gave it 5).

Have a listen to see if you can hear a difference in the way Charles speaks English after just ten lessons over two weeks in London?

Listen to Liliana speak to me before her English Out There course started and then again after 10 lessons.

She self-studies the Intermediate SS4 course materials, about one lesson per week, and then does the Out There task (speaking practice) with me on Skype and one or two other English speakers she has befriended using social media.

Every session is recorded by her and listened to again a few times.

When you listen concentrate on her use of tenses, how she forms sentences (i.e. whether she uses single words as a strategy to communicate or speaks fully formed sentences). Also try to hear if her listening comprehension has improved and her pronunciation.

Liliana has been trying to learn how to speak English comfortably for many years, using different methods. She found me on Facebook and joined my group for people who have almost given up hope of ever speaking English comfortably (http://www.facebook.com/groups/icantspeakenglish/).

She is now in her forties and specifically wanted to improve her spoken English to find a job in Bogota.

So, this is the same 'before' clip from our first conversation where Liliana dries up a bit and you can hear the nervousness in her voice edited next to a passage from her last session with me, the lesson on dreams and dreaming.

In the second clip she controls the conversation and talks with minor input from me for almost three full minutes whilst she tells me a story about one of her previous English teachers and his dream about her.

The aim of working with Liliana was to finally, after over twenty years of English study using other courses, help her to feel comfortable speaking English with a fluent English speaker.

Have a listen and let me know what you think?

This is Therese's 'before and after' podcast.

It contains two clips. The first clip is an excerpt from her first Out There speaking task (Lesson 1 of the SS4 course) with me and the second is an excerpt from the lesson 20 speaking task, also with me.

Therese worked alone most of the time. I printed off the lesson worksheets, she completed the exercises and then went out to do the speaking practice with strangers on the seafront in Weymouth where I live.

Occasionally (at the start, middle and end of her course) I was one of the speaking practice partners (hence this audio case study).

I deliberately wanted to work with Therese in this way...minimal contact, just a few comments here and there, to see what would happen to her English skills.

When Therese came to stay with us she was very quiet. As time went on she became more confident. She studied with me from 8th September 2011 and finished the course on 14th October 2011. 36 days or in study time, about 60 hours.

This is the last 10 minutes of our lesson 18 session today and I thought it was such a nice chat and Liliana sounded so happy with her EOT course that I wanted to create a separate shorter clip to post online.

What we talk about here is what is possible if you just do what Liliana did and follow the EOT worksheets, do the speaking practice on Skype and listen to your recordings a few times.

It makes me very proud to have helped Liliana to get over her fear of speaking English after so many years of trying before she found EOT. I met Liliana because she joined my Facebook group called 'I Still Can't Speak English' and asked for help.

This was what Liliana wrote at the start of this process:

"I want to talk about my experiences with the English courses I've taken since I was at school so far. When I was at school I liked English classes so much and participated in them. After graduating from high school I took several courses in American schools , three courses at the British Council and also had private classes with a Colombian women who lived many years in London. Despite of taking many classes I have little fluency, and had to face this when I didn’t get the job I wanted as a bilingual customer service I was very sad and got frustrated because I didn’t have sufficient fluency to pass the interview and this job gave me the opportunity to improve my English skills and offered me a better job stability. I accept that the lack of fluidity is my problem to get a well paid job in my country. Actually, the courses I taken did not help me to improve my fluency I did not achieve my goal after taking many courses in my life but do not lose hope and continued studying on my own."

Thanks for working hard Liliana and for being a great example for others who might think that they will never be able to speak English comfortably.

First practice session with Jane using Skype.The first lesson Jane used was this self-study beginner lesson:

You can download the lesson plan here: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/shopping

Below, for the record, is the Skype text chat history from my first contact with Jane. I will add the text chat from our speaking sessions to these episodes as we do them. If you are interested in the process of EOT, my work with Jane and her progress you will find them useful to follow whilst you listen. [15/03/2010 10:16:33] Janeliu: hello, well...i want to learn english and practice. i speak french and chinese. Please teach me.... [15/03/2010 10:16:33] Jason West: Jason West has shared contact details with Janeliu. [15/03/2010 10:18:18] Jason West: Hi there, ok I think I can help. How did you find me? (just interested). To learn more before we make contact read the discussions and watch the videos at http://www.Facebook.com/EnglishOutThere [16/03/2010 12:08:54] Janeliu: hello Jason, nice to meet you [16/03/2010 12:09:41] Janeliu: i was finding " english teacher", and then, i found you [16/03/2010 12:10:26] Jason West: Hi there, waht you searched on Skype? [16/03/2010 12:10:38] Janeliu: sorry, my english is not good [16/03/2010 12:10:45] Jason West: No problem [16/03/2010 12:10:55] Janeliu: i searched " english teacher" [16/03/2010 12:10:56] Jason West: Did you look at the web page I suggested? [16/03/2010 12:11:06] Janeliu: yes! [16/03/2010 12:11:16] Jason West: Ok, what did you think? [16/03/2010 12:11:19] Janeliu: so many people study english [16/03/2010 12:11:29] Jason West: Yes, lots and lots [16/03/2010 12:11:40] Jason West: But they don't do it very efficiently [16/03/2010 12:12:18] Janeliu: i haven't study english since 2006, i forgot all... [16/03/2010 12:12:38] Jason West: Ok, no problem. How long did you study for? [16/03/2010 12:13:18] Janeliu: and the same time, i study french... the prononciation is difficult to return [16/03/2010 12:14:28] Jason West: Yes they are fairly different.. [16/03/2010 12:14:59] Jason West: Bu if you liove in Strasbourg you can practise french a lot [16/03/2010 12:14:59] Janeliu: i studied when i was in primary school [16/03/2010 12:16:16] Janeliu: i speak french since 2006, and i study in university [16/03/2010 12:16:51] Janeliu: french for me, it's not difficult [16/03/2010 12:16:59] Jason West: How long have you studied English and what do you think is your speaking level? Can you do something for me...so you can understand what we need to do? [16/03/2010 12:17:31] Janeliu: i studied english since i was in primary school [16/03/2010 12:17:46] Janeliu: my speaking level is nul... [16/03/2010 12:18:03] Jason West: Ok [16/03/2010 12:18:17] Janeliu: if you want, i can teache you french [16/03/2010 12:18:33] Janeliu: or chinese [16/03/2010 12:19:48] Jason West: That would be cool, my French is very poor...and I would like to improve it but at the moment my work is on English teaching. if I help you will you let me record our conversations and become like a 'test case' for me. [16/03/2010 12:20:22] Jason West: Chinese would be cool but first things first (as we say in England)...your English. [16/03/2010 12:20:48] Janeliu: that's cool! we made it!!!!!!!!!! [16/03/2010 12:21:21] Jason West: Is that a 'yes' [16/03/2010 12:21:40] Janeliu: yes! [16/03/2010 12:21:58] Jason West: Ok. First....can you go here: [16/03/2010 12:22:06] Janeliu: but your record conversation is just for you or ....???????? [16/03/2010 12:22:49] Jason West: It would be for my websites to show people what is possible. [16/03/2010 12:23:04] Janeliu: [16/03/2010 12:23:42] Jason West: Don't worry. Once we get going you will forget that it is being recorded...anyway, you should also record the conversations because you need to listen to them again afterwards [16/03/2010 12:25:04] Janeliu: but i don't know how to record, skype have this function? [16/03/2010 12:25:36] Jason West: Yes it does. But we can use Facebook and it is very easy to record on Facebook. [16/03/2010 12:25:59] Jason West: I can show you how to do it anyway. [16/03/2010 12:26:14] Janeliu: ok! [16/03/2010 12:26:30] Janeliu: but i have the cours today afternoon [16/03/2010 12:26:39] Jason West: Not today [16/03/2010 12:26:45] Janeliu: it begins at 14:00 [16/03/2010 12:26:50] Jason West: First I would like you to go here: [16/03/2010 12:27:00] Jason West: http://www.languagesoutthere.com [16/03/2010 12:27:38] Jason West: click on 'try for free' and sign up to free membership. you need to select a currency but it costs you nothing unless you upgrade. [16/03/2010 12:27:38] Janeliu: yes? and... [16/03/2010 12:28:18] Jason West: There are 12 self-study (SS) lesson plans for download. Have a look at them and choose either a Beginner or Elementary lesson. [16/03/2010 12:28:23] Jason West: print it off [16/03/2010 12:28:43] Jason West: study it and write on it (have a dictionary with you) [16/03/2010 12:29:26] Jason West: follow the instructions (if you want Chinese instructions the same lessons are available for free with Chinese instructions) [16/03/2010 12:30:50] Jason West: When you have completed the lesson and have read the last Task, the Out There Task....contact me on Facebook or Skype when you see I am online. I am online in the morning Monday to Thurs and sometimes at the weekend. We can fix a regular time if you want. [16/03/2010 12:31:10] Jason West: Ok? [16/03/2010 12:31:59] Jason West: Oh, and create a Facebook profile if you don't have one and make me a friend on Facebook. then we can see when each other is online using the chat system (which is linked to the voice system0 [16/03/2010 12:36:00] Janeliu: the words in green, i must download? [16/03/2010 12:36:55] Jason West: The hotlinks...yes....but just the low level ones SS1 and SS2 (beginner and elementary) [16/03/2010 12:38:19] Janeliu: ok [16/03/2010 12:39:25] Jason West: Cool. Speak soon [16/03/2010 12:40:00] Janeliu: yes! [16/03/2010 12:41:23] Janeliu: what's the " related articles"? i must download? [16/03/2010 12:42:07] Jason West: Oh, don't worry about those...all you need are the low level SS lesson plans for now.... [16/03/2010 12:45:05] Janeliu: ok!!!!!!!!!!!!! [16/03/2010 12:46:33] Jason West: Ok, take care and speak soon...don't forget the Facebook account... [16/03/2010 12:46:37] Jason West: Bye for now. [16/03/2010 12:48:10] Janeliu: ok, i just need to join in facebook, that's all? [16/03/2010 12:49:02] Janeliu: in out there or in yours? [16/03/2010 12:51:15] Janeliu: ok, see u soon [16/03/2010 12:52:40] Jason West: Creat your own profile and then become a fan of our page. But most importantly find me and make me a friend. Bye for now. [16/03/2010 12:52:56] Janeliu: ok [17/03/2010 13:17:54] Janeliu: hello Jason, nice to see you again! [17/03/2010 13:18:15] Jason West: Hi there [17/03/2010 13:20:21] Janeliu: well, generally, i have the time from monday to thursday at middday, and you? and the weekend [17/03/2010 13:21:39] Janeliu: sorry, i have the cours daylong... a little disgusting [17/03/2010 13:23:44] Jason West: I am usually online Monday-Tues from 9am to 3pm, Weds-Thurs 9am to 12pm. Sometimes evenings and sometimes weekends. But we can see when we are online on FB and on here...have you looked at the lessons I saw you sign up? [17/03/2010 13:25:02] Janeliu: yes, a little, and i imprinmed them [17/03/2010 13:25:16] Janeliu: today at school [17/03/2010 13:25:55] Jason West: 'imprinmed'? you mean 'printed'? [17/03/2010 13:26:02] Jason West: or studied [17/03/2010 13:26:22] Janeliu: ah! yes, pardon, it's french [17/03/2010 13:26:39] Janeliu: printed, not studied [17/03/2010 13:26:39] Jason West: [17/03/2010 13:27:16] Janeliu: i'll read the documents this evening [17/03/2010 13:27:39] Janeliu: and i try to remplir them [17/03/2010 13:28:11] Jason West: Ok, cool. Just pick one and study it properly...write on it, use a dictionary and then next time we are online go onto FB and send me a text chat and then we can do the speaking practice. [17/03/2010 13:28:27] Jason West: remplir? [17/03/2010 13:28:33] Jason West: [17/03/2010 13:29:06] Janeliu: remplir= fill in [17/03/2010 13:29:14] Jason West: I know [17/03/2010 13:29:39] Janeliu: why you write " remplir?" [17/03/2010 13:30:17] Jason West: I was just pointing out that you were using French again [17/03/2010 13:30:34] Janeliu: haah! ok! dac [17/03/2010 13:30:45] Janeliu: ok=dac [17/03/2010 13:30:59] Jason West: dac = d'accord [17/03/2010 13:31:03] Janeliu: cool!!!!!!!!!!1 [17/03/2010 13:31:30] Janeliu: ok, la prochaine fois, on parlera le francais [17/03/2010 13:32:15] Janeliu: what means " text chat"? [17/03/2010 13:32:24] Jason West: non, nous parlons anglais...pour vous [17/03/2010 13:32:49] Janeliu: merci bcp mon prof!!!!!!!!! [17/03/2010 13:33:06] Jason West: " text chat"?means what we are doing now [17/03/2010 13:33:46] Janeliu: you mean that i send to you what i do my homework? [17/03/2010 13:34:32] Jason West: You do your homework and then you send me a message saying 'Hi, i have just studied some EOT, can we practise for 5 minutes'... [17/03/2010 13:34:59] Janeliu: ok... [17/03/2010 13:35:04] Jason West: Make sense? [17/03/2010 13:35:05] Janeliu: i understood [17/03/2010 13:35:16] Jason West: Good. You are a good student [17/03/2010 13:35:35] Janeliu: that's cool!!! [17/03/2010 13:35:44] Jason West: Excellent [17/03/2010 13:35:50] Janeliu: you're a good teacher too!!! [17/03/2010 13:36:01] Janeliu: (party) [17/03/2010 13:36:06] Janeliu: bravo!!!! [17/03/2010 13:36:20] Jason West: Ah, thanks...you'd better wait until you have done some EOT before you say too much! [17/03/2010 13:38:05] Janeliu: i didn't say the effciency, i mean at least you are gentil [17/03/2010 13:38:22] Jason West: LOL [17/03/2010 13:38:37] Janeliu: n'est pas? [17/03/2010 13:38:40] Janeliu: [17/03/2010 13:38:52] Janeliu: bon, je te laisse [17/03/2010 13:39:08] Janeliu: i must prepare for this afternoon [17/03/2010 13:39:29] Jason West: Ok, tara! (northern English for goodbye) [17/03/2010 13:40:05] Janeliu: dac! tara! ans see you soon [17/03/2010 13:40:36] Jason West: Ok, have fun! [17/03/2010 13:40:50] Janeliu: thanks! bye [19/03/2010 21:38:29] Janeliu: hello Jason, i have all the time this weekend, so i want to ask you when you're free? see you... [19/03/2010 22:21:18] Janeliu: it's not " all the time "....I have time this weekend [20/03/2010 00:27:08] Janeliu: this afternoon or tonight... see u [20/03/2010 17:43:12] Janeliu: hi, Jason, i'm still here, tell me when you are free. [20/03/2010 23:10:29] Janeliu: ;( [20/03/2010 23:10:40] Janeliu: [21/03/2010 18:25:25] Janeliu: coucou... can i call you now? [21/03/2010 18:26:16] Janeliu: are you busy? [22/03/2010 10:41:51] Jason West: Hang on, 2 mins then we can talk... [22/03/2010 10:42:49] Janeliu: ok [22/03/2010 10:44:36] Jason West: ok, ready? call me [22/03/2010 10:44:47] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 15:17. *** [22/03/2010 10:47:48] Jason West: DVD [22/03/2010 10:48:14] Janeliu: DVD [22/03/2010 10:50:31] Janeliu: ADORABLE [22/03/2010 10:50:37] Janeliu: MIGNION [22/03/2010 10:51:45] Janeliu: BIO [22/03/2010 10:51:55] Jason West: organic [22/03/2010 10:51:56] Janeliu: GREEM [22/03/2010 10:52:01] Janeliu: GREEN [22/03/2010 10:52:38] Janeliu: 100P=1POUND? [22/03/2010 10:52:58] Janeliu: = [22/03/2010 10:53:14] Jason West: w [22/03/2010 10:53:24] Jason West: equals [22/03/2010 10:53:30] Jason West: eqwals [22/03/2010 10:55:55] Jason West: one way [22/03/2010 10:56:04] Jason West: return [22/03/2010 11:00:04] *** Call ended *** [22/03/2010 11:00:16] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 08:09. *** [22/03/2010 11:04:06] Janeliu: toiletries [22/03/2010 11:04:08] Jason West: toiletries [22/03/2010 11:04:29] Jason West: products that you can buy in a chemist or pharmacy [22/03/2010 11:04:58] Jason West: but they are usually practical products like deodorant or toothpaste [22/03/2010 11:08:25] *** Call ended *** [22/03/2010 11:08:54] Janeliu: thank you very much and i 'll speak with other people [22/03/2010 11:09:07] Janeliu: thank you for your help [22/03/2010 11:09:22] Janeliu: [22/03/2010 11:09:22] Jason West: Ok, cool, you did really well! [22/03/2010 11:09:38] Janeliu: can you send me the record? [22/03/2010 11:09:46] Janeliu: merci bcp!!! [22/03/2010 11:09:54] Jason West: One thing...keep a learning diary....nad keep recordings...they will help you to see and hear your improvement. [22/03/2010 11:10:11] Janeliu: ok, i will [22/03/2010 11:10:12] Jason West: Yes I will...I will put it on a site you can download it from... [22/03/2010 11:10:27] Janeliu: ok, in your facebook? [22/03/2010 11:11:41] Jason West: Probably another site...I will use the recordings and chat histories to show people how to do it but it will be a while...ok? [22/03/2010 11:11:56] Janeliu: ok [22/03/2010 11:11:57] Jason West: You were great...how did it feel? [22/03/2010 11:12:06] Janeliu: but where can i find it [22/03/2010 11:12:23] Jason West: I will send you the link...it will be easy [22/03/2010 11:12:23] Janeliu: a little stress [22/03/2010 11:12:43] Janeliu: ok, i'm waitting for that [22/03/2010 11:13:12] Janeliu: [22/03/2010 11:13:14] Jason West: Yes, probably a lot of stress, but if you do it again and again and use the same language with more people and do some more lessons your confidence will grow and you will worry a lot less! [22/03/2010 11:13:43] Jason West: Ok I will send you the link when it is ready! [22/03/2010 11:13:44] Janeliu: (blush)ok... [22/03/2010 11:13:55] Janeliu: ok, see you [22/03/2010 11:14:00] Janeliu: merci!!! [22/03/2010 11:14:03] Jason West: Ok, bye for now... [22/03/2010 11:14:10] Janeliu: (wave) [22/03/2010 11:50:38] Janeliu: Jason, why i can not download the chinese lessons? [22/03/2010 11:51:09] Jason West: You should be able to...which one? [22/03/2010 11:51:27] Janeliu: wait, i m finding it [22/03/2010 11:51:35] Jason West: ok [22/03/2010 11:52:19] Jason West: They just have the instructions translated...but let me know and I will fix it. [22/03/2010 11:52:31] Janeliu: Sorry this page is available to subscribers only. [22/03/2010 11:52:44] Janeliu: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/downloads/20081105_339 [22/03/2010 11:53:28] Jason West: The free membership lessons (same numbers) are available, but the rest is premium [22/03/2010 11:53:46] Janeliu: i recieved a email yesterday for the subscribers, and i already comfired it [22/03/2010 11:54:04] Jason West: I will have a look but I am on a call in 1 min with a learner in Poland! [22/03/2010 11:55:09] Janeliu: ok, take tour time, and i must go out for eat, see you in the end of this afternoon? [22/03/2010 11:55:18] Jason West: ok [22/03/2010 11:55:21] Janeliu: ok [22/03/2010 19:43:12] Janeliu: hello Jason, glad to see you again [22/03/2010 19:43:35] Jason West: Hi there [22/03/2010 19:44:38] Janeliu: it's 18:41 in London now? [22/03/2010 19:45:45] Jason West: Yes [22/03/2010 19:46:10] Janeliu: ok [22/03/2010 19:47:19] Jason West: Sorry, I haven't sent the link to the recording...I have been working on it and have been out doing child care duties....and am rushing to get some work done now, so I really need to concentrate, I will send the links in a while. Ok? [22/03/2010 19:47:22] Jason West: [22/03/2010 19:48:00] Janeliu: ok, do what you want , i'm waitting ... [22/03/2010 19:48:31] Jason West: ok, thanks [22/03/2010 19:48:38] Jason West: speak soon. [22/03/2010 19:48:52] Janeliu: ok [22/03/2010 21:09:52] Jason West: Here you go, scroll down to find the ones with you... [22/03/2010 21:09:55] Jason West: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/ [22/03/2010 21:10:11] Jason West: Right, dinner time! [22/03/2010 21:11:37] Janeliu: ok, thanks and bon appetit [22/03/2010 21:13:35] Jason West: Merci! [22/03/2010 21:14:13] Janeliu: (pi)

Second part of the recording with Jane from the 22/03/10.

More to come...Jane has a couple of low level lesson plans with Chinese instructions (she lives in Strasbourg and speaks French and Chinese)...there will be more sessions once she has done some exams.

Here is the text chat we had between this speaking practice session and then next time we hooked up:

[24/03/2010 15:53:09] Jason West: Hey, did you get the links and go there? Do you want to do another session? J
[25/03/2010 12:27:30] Janeliu: hey, Jason!!! It's too hot inFrance today...
[25/03/2010 12:27:53] Jason West: Hi there
[25/03/2010 12:28:04] Janeliu: yes, i downloaded the mp3, it's interesting
[25/03/2010 12:28:07] Janeliu: haha...
[25/03/2010 12:28:21] Jason West: Oh good, what did you think?
[25/03/2010 12:28:44] Janeliu: i speak like a person who come from espace
[25/03/2010 12:28:50] Janeliu: universal
[25/03/2010 12:28:52] Jason West: LOL
[25/03/2010 12:29:04] Janeliu: haha... isn't it?
[25/03/2010 12:29:15] Jason West: Well, it's good to hear yoursdelf speaking to someone like me...
[25/03/2010 12:29:35] Jason West: if you want to do another one pick a lesson from the free ones and let me know...
[25/03/2010 12:29:35] Janeliu: haha, right
[25/03/2010 12:29:48] Janeliu: no, i haven't!!!
[25/03/2010 12:29:57] Janeliu: just you, you are my teacher!!!!
[25/03/2010 12:30:31] Jason West: What I want you to do it not rely on me...but meet someother English speakers and work with thwem too in short 5 min bursts of practice....
[25/03/2010 12:30:46] Janeliu: i found someone in Australia, but he isn't my teacher, just for speaking, but not frequently
[25/03/2010 12:31:23] Jason West: Just speaking that it it....that is all I am doing, with some materials...but you need 15-20 people like your friend in Oz...
[25/03/2010 12:31:51] Janeliu: yes, but i just bought a headset
[25/03/2010 12:32:02] Janeliu: haven't begin yet...
[25/03/2010 12:32:10] Jason West: ok, cool, good news...progress!
[25/03/2010 12:32:25] Janeliu: thanks!!!
[25/03/2010 12:32:27] Jason West: It will be much better with a headset
[25/03/2010 12:32:36] Janeliu: yes, i think so
[25/03/2010 12:32:57] Janeliu: so , why i can't download the chinese plans?
[25/03/2010 12:33:05] Janeliu: in out there
[25/03/2010 12:33:12] Janeliu: ;(
[25/03/2010 12:34:09] Jason West: Sorry, remind me, which ones...you should be abkle to get the free ones in Chinese...have you had a proper go (use the same lesson plan number)?
[25/03/2010 12:34:40] Janeliu: no, which number?
[25/03/2010 12:35:27] Jason West: They all have numbers...if you find the one you can download but want it in Chinese go to the chinese plans ans you should be able to do it
[25/03/2010 12:36:15] Janeliu: i'm trying
[25/03/2010 12:36:26] Jason West: youtube is down!!!!!
[25/03/2010 12:37:11] Janeliu: i can use youtube too?
[25/03/2010 12:37:26] Jason West: check, see if it is working...
[25/03/2010 12:37:44] Janeliu: Sorry this page is available to subscribers only
[25/03/2010 12:38:10] Jason West: What lesson plan were you after
[25/03/2010 12:39:43] Janeliu: since the SS1-2
[25/03/2010 12:40:03] Janeliu: the next one i downloaded, but i want to read the chinese plans
[25/03/2010 12:40:32] Jason West: These are the free ones:
[25/03/2010 12:40:35] Jason West: SS1: 09 - Shopping, vocabulary, buying questions. 18 - Minor physical complaints/the chemist.

SS2: 10 - Making plans, going to. 20 - Lifestyle, would + infinitive.

SS3: 04 - Describing objects, adjective order. 19 - Inventions, passive voice.

SS4: 03 - Manners, to discuss differences, idioms and phrases. 14 - What had happened, telling stories using past tenses, present perfect v past simple.

SS5: 14 - Animals and us, idioms, vocab, our relationship to animals. 19 - Men and women at home, roles.

SS6: 12 - Animal instincts, behaviour in the workplace. 20 - Jokes and gender.
[25/03/2010 12:41:04] Janeliu: yes, i've imprimered
[25/03/2010 12:41:10] Janeliu: already

[12/04/2010 12:47:57] Janeliu: hi Jason, nice to see you, how are you?
[12/04/2010 12:49:37] Jason West: Hi there, I'm ok, you?
[12/04/2010 12:50:29] Janeliu: yes, i'm in vacation
[12/04/2010 12:50:54] Jason West: That's nice... I am still working...
[12/04/2010 12:50:56] Janeliu: scine the last week
[12/04/2010 12:51:03] Janeliu: oh lala...
[12/04/2010 12:51:19] Janeliu: you haven't the vacation?
[12/04/2010 12:51:34] Janeliu: you 're a teacher...
[12/04/2010 12:51:35] Jason West: I will in July, but lots to do before then...
[12/04/2010 12:51:44] Janeliu: ok...
[12/04/2010 12:52:00] Jason West: where were we, did you do another lesson?
[12/04/2010 12:52:22] Janeliu: this summer, i'll come back to China to join in the exposition universal
[12/04/2010 12:52:25] Janeliu: in Shanghai
[12/04/2010 12:52:38] Jason West: that'll be fun!
[12/04/2010 12:52:57] Janeliu: yes, a little, i was in another city last week
[12/04/2010 12:53:32] Janeliu: so i just work a little
[12/04/2010 12:55:15] Janeliu: and i haven't speak with my friend because he usually doesn't in internet, i think i must find another one, you know it's difficult to find a nice one
[12/04/2010 12:56:50] Jason West: depends how you do it....all you need to do is talk to someone for 3 or 4 minutes using the language in the lesson....then do it with 4 or 5 people...but they need to know you are not going to talk for 20 mins and that you will leave them in peace once you have finished...it is all about human psychology
[12/04/2010 12:57:29] Jason West: Use italki, livemocha, mylanguageexchange, etc. and Facebook friend finder apps
[12/04/2010 12:57:56] Jason West: There's even a language exchange app on facebook, I know the guy who built it...
[12/04/2010 13:00:20] Janeliu: really? where is it? i can find it easily in facebook?
[12/04/2010 13:00:32] Jason West: yes
[12/04/2010 13:00:56] Jason West: just search on 'language exchange' in Facebook..
[12/04/2010 13:01:25] Jason West: Listen to this podcast i just posted...a case study for EOT....tell me what you think when you have listened: http://languagesoutthere.podOmatic.com/entry/2010-04-12T04_14_43-07_00
[12/04/2010 13:02:39] Jason West: Hey, I ahve to get on with stuff and eat some lunch first...let me know how it is going and if I can help any more. I think we should try to improve your speaking skills using EOT but you need to tell me and do some work too.
[12/04/2010 13:03:53] Janeliu: ok, i'm going to listen and we'll see soon,i'll continue working. have a good lunch
[12/04/2010 13:04:14] Jason West: ok, thanks, speak soon
[12/04/2010 13:04:34] Janeliu: ok, see you\
[13/04/2010 10:37:25] Jason West: Hey Jane, how did you get on with the two Chinese version lesson plans I gave you access to (I forgot!) - have you used them as instructed?
[15/04/2010 12:15:01] Janeliu: hi Jason
[15/04/2010 12:16:20] Janeliu: i downloaded the two chinese version lessons, and i already read them, but just for me, not for teaching others.
[15/04/2010 12:17:12] Janeliu: i have a examen tomorrow afternoon...see you this weekend, ok?
[15/04/2010 12:18:15] Jason West: Did you find them useful/interesting?
[15/04/2010 12:18:38] Jason West: They are very low level...
[15/04/2010 12:18:47] Janeliu: yes, i think he's a africain, and he has the accent
[15/04/2010 12:18:53] Janeliu: really?
[15/04/2010 12:19:09] Jason West: eh? who is African?
[15/04/2010 12:19:18] Janeliu: i can't understand all because the accent
[15/04/2010 12:19:42] Jason West: I', not sure what you are talking about
[15/04/2010 12:19:43] Janeliu: the boy who speak with you in the podcast
[15/04/2010 12:19:57] Jason West: Ah, no he is Polish..
[15/04/2010 12:20:03] Jason West: from Poland...
[15/04/2010 12:20:23] Jason West: The podcast is not the lesson...that is just a case study of someone doing some EOT...
[15/04/2010 12:20:49] Jason West: He has used some lesson plans and then does the practice with me and other English speakers online..
[15/04/2010 12:21:42] Jason West: Anyway, good luck in your exam tomorrow....I might be online at the weekend but I have small kids so it is tricky, i will be online on Monday though...I have to go now (and get my kids)... bye..
[15/04/2010 12:22:01] Janeliu: but i have a friend polish, but she hasn't the accent like a africain...
[15/04/2010 12:22:37] Janeliu: ok,see you monday
[15/04/2010 12:24:05] Jason West: Ok, have a good one...
[15/04/2010 12:24:12] Janeliu: 8-)
[15/04/2010 12:24:16] Janeliu: toi aussi
[15/04/2010 12:24:39] Jason West: merci beaucoup (wave)
[15/04/2010 12:24:51] Janeliu: (wave)de rien, bis
[25/03/2010 12:41:23] Jason West: sorry?
[25/03/2010 12:41:38] Jason West: you've downloaded them?
[25/03/2010 12:41:53] Janeliu: yes, and already in paper
[25/03/2010 12:42:44] Jason West: ok, if you want them with Chinese instructions you can only get the SS1 and SS2 with Chinese. Just go to the Chinese section when you are logged in and download them.
[25/03/2010 12:43:25] Janeliu: ok,,,,,,,
[25/03/2010 12:43:46] Jason West: I just checked, they are set up ok..
[25/03/2010 12:43:58] Janeliu: i don't need the SS1-2 in chinese, because i understood
[25/03/2010 12:44:51] Jason West: Ah, but they are the only ones in Chinese, for low level learners. The pre-Int (level 3) and above havwe the same instructions/process...just the language is a bit tougher
[25/03/2010 12:45:36] Jason West: You should be able to understand what to do now having read the ones with Chinese instructions...why not download one and see, it might tell you some stuff you didn't know.
[25/03/2010 12:46:16] Janeliu: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/categories/20081107_9
[25/03/2010 12:46:33] Janeliu: i want to download some plans in this page
[25/03/2010 12:47:03] Janeliu: ok, i understand
[25/03/2010 12:47:05] Jason West: You can't
[25/03/2010 12:47:07] Janeliu: that's ok
[25/03/2010 12:47:21] Janeliu: no problem, i can understand
[25/03/2010 12:47:27] Janeliu: (chuckle)
[25/03/2010 12:47:37] Jason West: They are clsoed for the moment...we are doing some work, just the free stuff is available...
[25/03/2010 12:48:18] Janeliu: ok, well, when i got some level, i must pay for after?
[25/03/2010 12:48:55] Jason West: Which one do you want next...if I let you have access can I record us doing it and use you as a case study? I think we discussed this didn't we?
[25/03/2010 12:49:27] Janeliu: yes, of course, we can, don't worry about that
[25/03/2010 12:51:12] Jason West: which one do you want...pick one
[25/03/2010 12:51:16] Janeliu: i want to have the chinese lessons, because i forgot what i've studied when i was in China, but i think my english is easy to return, but for speaking....oh la la...
[25/03/2010 12:51:46] Jason West: That's exactly what they were designed tio do...good girl! You've got it
[25/03/2010 12:51:53] Janeliu: Self Study Beginner Chinese 06
[25/03/2010 12:51:55] Jason West: Now which one do you want to use first?
[25/03/2010 12:52:01] Jason West: Ok, hang on...
[25/03/2010 12:52:11] Janeliu: thsnks a lot Monsieur!!!
[25/03/2010 12:52:26] Janeliu: what means hang on
[25/03/2010 12:52:38] Jason West: wait 2 mins
[25/03/2010 12:52:46] Janeliu: ok!!!!
[25/03/2010 12:56:21] Jason West: what's your email address?
[25/03/2010 12:56:46] Janeliu: janeliu1201@gmail.com
[25/03/2010 12:57:05] Janeliu: (talk)
[25/03/2010 12:58:21] Janeliu: and this Self Study Beginner Chinese 10
[25/03/2010 12:58:25] Janeliu: that's all
[25/03/2010 12:58:50] Jason West: Ok, hang on...scribd is slow today
[25/03/2010 12:59:20] Janeliu: because when i went to BadenBaden, there were not so many german speak french, so i must speak english...
[25/03/2010 12:59:24] Janeliu: catastophe...
[25/03/2010 12:59:47] Janeliu: that's ok....
[25/03/2010 13:02:11] Jason West: Just send you an email...
[25/03/2010 13:02:21] Janeliu: ok, thanks a lot!!!
[25/03/2010 13:02:28] Janeliu: so what we can do now?
[25/03/2010 13:03:01] Janeliu: oh yeh!! i received it !!
[25/03/2010 13:03:05] Jason West: Nothing, I have to go and you need to do the lessons offline with a dictionary....print and write...another email coming in a moment...
[25/03/2010 13:03:38] Janeliu: ok! i'll do them!!!!
[25/03/2010 13:04:29] Janeliu: coolllllllllllllllll
[25/03/2010 13:04:56] Jason West: Just print, work, I can't remember if they need audio, don't think so, but let me know and I will give you access to those files...
[25/03/2010 13:05:41] Janeliu: thank again, you are tres gentil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'll do my best!!!
[25/03/2010 13:06:22] Jason West: Right, I have to go now... have fun and speak soon. Can you keep a diary of how you feel about using them, why you are using these low level ones,, what you think of them and how useful they are...then we will record our practice sessions and aslo reciord you conversations with other English speaking friends....but follow the instructions carefully. Ok, bye for now.
[25/03/2010 13:07:14] Janeliu: ok, i'll do what you said
[25/03/2010 13:07:28] Janeliu: have a nice day, see you soon
[25/03/2010 13:07:34] Jason West: see you

This was fun...future plans...

If you become a free member you can download the lesson plan here:

http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/goingto

I kept it short even though Jane had done five lessons and was prepared to talk about any of them it seemed ..some of them were with Chinese instructions which she felt she needed to get a better idea of some language and instructions and she mentions that in the recording. We will do the next session tomorrow. Jane is quite a low level which is great, but she is bilingual already (French and Chinese) so I would expect her to have her own internal system of how to acquire worked out fairly well in her own mind. Let's see if EOT can help her to make a quick improvement in her speaking and listening skills. [11:50:27] Janeliu: hi Jason, nice see u again how are you and your little boys? have they eaten? [11:52:48] Jason West: HI there...I'm on a call at the moment... [11:53:26] Janeliu: ok [11:54:16] Janeliu: i'm late, and when we can have a talk? [11:54:46] Jason West: In about an hour? [11:54:57] Janeliu: 14h? [11:55:27] Janeliu: ok, see u at 14h [12:10:20] Jason West: ok 13.00 my time [12:40:10] Jason West: Hi Jane, so sorry I just realised I have another call scheduled for 13.00 my time, can we do 14.00 my time, so an hour later, 15.00 your time? So sorry, that call was scheduled on my phone on Friday and I have just realised...or we can it now... [12:40:26] Jason West: do it now? [12:41:08] Janeliu: attend... [12:41:17] Jason West: d'accord [12:41:35] Janeliu: ok [12:42:23] Jason West: ok, call me.. [12:42:35] Janeliu: ok, see u plus tard [12:42:57] Jason West: plus tard...later...15.00 your time? [12:43:00] Janeliu: yes [12:43:06] Jason West: ok... [14:04:21] Janeliu: i'm ready [14:04:26] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 14:48. *** [14:06:33] Jason West: the weekend coming [14:09:31] Jason West: zombie [14:12:43] Janeliu: profite [14:12:54] Janeliu: avantage [14:14:53] Janeliu: evidemment [14:15:04] Jason West: evidently [14:16:16] Jason West: 250,000 [14:16:24] Jason West: materials [14:16:29] Jason West: lesson plan [14:18:59] Jason West: same time tomorrow... [14:19:13] *** Call ended *** [14:20:21] Janeliu: i forgot to ask you, i haven't recorded it, how to record it? [14:20:53] Jason West: Aha, I recorded it and will send you the link to the podcast... [14:21:09] Jason West: You can use Pamela call recorder on skype...search on the skype website [14:21:11] Janeliu: ok, thanks a lot!! [14:21:22] Jason West: No prob! see you tomorrow [14:21:27] Janeliu: ok, i'm search for.. [14:21:32] Janeliu: see u [14:22:31] Jason West: Hey, can we do 13.00 (14.00 your time) tomorrow...I just remembered I have a call at 14.00 my time! [14:22:47] Janeliu: ok, no prob [14:22:59] Jason West: Ok, cool! [14:23:18] Janeliu: see u tomm [14:23:57] Jason West: try to speak with other English speakers too, as many as you can, using the same questions...ok? The more you practise the better...use Facebook or www.italki.com or other social networks to find friendly English speakers... [14:24:41] Janeliu: that's a very nice suggestion, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lesson 3 with Jane, I think she feels sorry for me doing all of this work and not seeing my friends enough!She chothe second free elementary lesson plan:

If you become a free member of the websiteyou can download the lesson plan here:

http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/lifestyle

There are two recordings, second one (b) is the end of the conevrsation with a bit of feedback from Jane. Here is the text chat history: [11:36:00] Janeliu: hi Jason!!! are you busy? [11:36:25] Jason West: Wanna have a chat? [11:36:57] Janeliu: yes [11:37:02] Janeliu:  [11:37:15] Jason West: Ok, call me! [11:37:24] Janeliu: o [11:38:30] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 15:04. *** [11:41:48] Janeliu: occuper [11:46:28] Jason West: work/life balance [11:47:56] Jason West: thermal springs [11:48:03] Jason West: Baden Baden [11:48:51] Jason West: midday [11:49:41] Janeliu: vers [11:49:55] Jason West: go home [11:50:42] Janeliu: Besancon [11:52:07] Janeliu: encore [11:52:27] Jason West: I have two more years to go [11:52:43] Janeliu: stage [11:53:14] Jason West: work placement [11:53:20] Jason West: work experience [11:53:33] *** Call ended *** [11:53:38] Janeliu: what time? [11:53:45] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 03:04. *** [11:54:57] Janeliu: mentalite [11:55:04] Jason West: mind [11:56:48] *** Call ended *** [11:57:43] Janeliu: ah! [11:57:47] Janeliu: vers=aboutt [11:57:52] Jason West: what? [11:57:53] Janeliu: about [11:58:01] Janeliu: vers means about [11:58:12] Jason West: vers = about...sorry, i forgot my French [11:58:40] Janeliu: it's normal because you're not in france [11:59:04] Jason West: Yup..and I don't practise it...! [11:59:39] Janeliu: me!! you can practise with me...!!! [11:59:50] Janeliu: (wasntme) [12:00:26] Jason West: Thanks, I would love to....and we will, but it is a question of time really...but we will keep doing this and it will happen...I feel sure [12:00:54] Janeliu: of course!.. [12:01:24] Janeliu: what do you eat every? i mean do you eat the breakfast, lunch and dinner? [12:01:36] Janeliu: 3 times everyday? [12:01:45] Jason West: Pretty much, why? [12:03:09] Janeliu: well, i think if you eat untill you feel that you're full, it's not good for your health. [12:03:32] Jason West: That's true! [12:03:36] Janeliu: means it's better when you feel a little full [12:03:50] Jason West: I eat very healthily, don't worry! [12:03:54] Janeliu: and an apple per day [12:04:05] Jason West: Exactly [12:04:31] Janeliu: i mean if you haven't do enough execise [12:05:01] Janeliu: and meat in midday [12:05:11] Janeliu: vegetable le dinner [12:05:19] Jason West: I do get exercise but I would liek to have more time to myself to be able to do more...its the balance thing again [12:05:25] Jason West: Thanks! [12:05:40] Janeliu: haha!!! [12:05:47] Jason West: Good advice... [12:05:56] Janeliu: ok, i'm going to eat the meat!!!.... [12:06:07] Jason West: Good for you! Me too... [12:06:24] Janeliu: thanks, i think that could be good for you [12:06:33] Janeliu: yes! [12:06:52] Jason West: Ok, ta! Have a nice lunch...speak tomrorow... [12:07:06] Janeliu: ok, you too. see u ...

The end of the session and some honest feedback from Jane about her EOT experience so far..

[11:28:33] Janeliu: (talk) coucou... Jason... how are you [11:29:07] Janeliu: lalalalal... Jane has access to a few lesson plans and I am getting confused as to which one we are doing...(age kicking in!)... she had a couple of very low level plans with Chinese instructions so she could work out excatly how EOT works and then she had a couple of higher level ones she chose from the free membership on LOT.com

So far she has used:

Lesson 1) SS1.09 - Shopping

Lesson 2) SS2.10 - Future plans

Lesson 3) SS2.20 - Lifestyle

For this lesson she jumped up two levels to Intermediate (SS4), she chose:

If you are a free member our our site you can download this lesson plan for free here:

http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/manners

This is one on manners and we have a good time and a laugh... I just listened to our first conversation and then this one and I think she has definitely grown in confidence and fluency, after just a few sessions...have a listen. [11:29:32] Jason West: Hi there, I'm okay...you? [11:29:55] Janeliu: fine, just arrive at home [11:30:07] Janeliu: are you free now? [11:30:17] Janeliu: (party) [11:30:26] Jason West: Yes, I minute... [11:30:30] Janeliu: ok [11:31:13] Jason West: ok [11:31:31] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 14:54. *** [11:36:42] Jason West: sincerity [11:36:59] Jason West: rude [11:37:42] Jason West: casual/informal [11:39:05] Jason West: to make a point [11:39:37] Jason West: inappropriate [11:42:25] Jason West: bass [11:43:43] Jason West: fuck off [11:44:16] Jason West: manners make the world go round [11:44:40] Jason West: manners maketh man [11:45:58] Jason West: inclined [11:46:24] *** Call ended *** [11:46:40] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 00:23. *** [11:49:55] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 09:58. *** [11:52:42] Janeliu: TianJin [11:57:48] Jason West: raw [11:59:18] Jason West: donc [11:59:23] Jason West: so [11:59:53] *** Call ended ***

Episode 4 continued...

Jane and I were both a bit tired today but we did a session. She had studied the lesson on the passive voice and inventions.

If you are a free member of our site you can download the lesson plan here for free:

http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/inventions

She's doing well but I think she rushed the preparation for today's session a bit (she said she had completed the 'input' in the lesson in 30 mins, which is too quick) and it showed a bit. She had also been finding it hard to make new friends online to practise with (she's been using Italki.com etc to try and do this). She said that people she got in touch with all wanted to practise French or Chinese with her. I suggested that she should agree, ask to do the English first (based on EOT lessons and specific language) and then simply 'flip' the language into French or Chinese but talk with them about the same topic. We'll see how she goes. I do think she needs some more practice partners though. Waldek is doing really well with his other speaking partners. Here's today's texh chat history: [11:22:44] Janeliu: hi Jason, how are you today? [11:24:21] *** Missed call from Janeliu. *** [11:26:28] Jason West: Hi Jane, yeah, okay, you? [11:26:49] Jason West: I was jsut getting a coffee [11:26:51] Janeliu: fine, a little tired [11:27:15] Janeliu: ok, so injoint yourself   [11:27:33] Jason West: I need it! Like you I am a bit tired [11:27:57] Janeliu: 8-) [11:28:08] Jason West: Do you want to do a session? [11:28:14] Janeliu: well, i went to Suisse last Saturday [11:28:32] Janeliu: after [11:28:59] Jason West: Really, how nice, where? [11:29:10] Janeliu: in Basel [11:29:20] Jason West: Have fun? [11:29:20] Janeliu: yes! it was very nice!! [11:29:26] Janeliu: beacutiful city!! [11:29:46] Janeliu: yes! with my friends of the college [11:29:46] Jason West: I've not been there...onluy Zurich and then only the airport.. [11:29:59] Jason West: I have an old friend in Berne and she keeps asking me to go, I should... [11:30:11] Janeliu: haha, i've never been Zurich [11:30:40] Janeliu: yes! you should be [11:31:18] Jason West: Do you want to talk? [11:31:49] Janeliu: yes, have you finished your coffee? [11:32:07] Janeliu: i can wait [11:32:07] Jason West: I can talk and drink coffee, a perk of the job! [11:32:10] Janeliu: don't worry [11:32:38] Janeliu: haha... [11:32:40] Jason West: You call... [11:33:12] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 14:53. *** [11:34:36] Jason West: hire [11:34:39] Jason West: to hire [11:35:53] Janeliu: Herzog & de Meuron [11:36:40] Jason West: trip [11:37:55] Jason West: type [11:38:08] Jason West: tuna [11:38:34] Jason West: salmon [11:39:40] Jason West: roe [11:39:47] Jason West: eggs [11:40:16] Jason West: Inventions [11:40:25] Jason West: Invenshuns [11:44:59] Jason West: basil [11:45:02] Jason West: herb [11:48:05] *** Call ended *** [11:48:36] Jason West: the recorder crashed..1 minute! I have to re-boot skype.. [11:48:44] Janeliu: ok! [11:50:15] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 15:04. *** [11:51:30] Janeliu: analyse [11:52:10] Janeliu: geographie [11:52:21] Jason West: geology [11:52:49] Jason West: the land [11:53:50] Janeliu: reflechir [11:55:37] Jason West: resources [11:55:49] Jason West: sustainable [11:55:56] Jason West: greener [11:56:02] Jason West: eco-friendly [11:57:32] Jason West: academic [11:57:54] Jason West: dig a hole [11:58:02] Jason West: foundations in [11:59:33] Janeliu: logement [12:05:19] *** Call ended *** [12:05:29] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 01:51. *** [12:05:36] Jason West: 30 mins of French for 30 mins of English [12:06:18] Jason West: English first use the language from the lesson [12:06:29] Jason West: same topic [12:07:20] *** Call ended ***

More on the passive voice with Jane...

Final recording for this session....which has us discussing how to turn online language exchange into online learning exchange.

Jane's sixth lesson, she chose this and jumped to a level 4 lesson (Intermediate) whjich is one of those available under the free membership.

You can download the lesson plan here for free if you sign up to our free membership:

http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/pastperfectversuspastsimple

She handled it pretty well. At one point I realised she was using an electronic dictionary and had to ask her to stop but it was useful to address that as I then explained about how the brain can shut down and stop words coming when the level of anxiety the speaker feels gets too much (lathophobic aphasia as Stevick would call it). I sent here this link from the LOT website which explains it in mroe detail with research references. This really is what EOT does amazingly well. It helps learners to overcome their fear of speaking by building confidence naturally. Here's the text chat history from the session with the link to the page on our site at the bottom: [10:10:45] Jason West: Hey, ready when you are...sooner the better this morning! [10:42:18] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 15:08. *** [10:48:10] Jason West: 14,000,000,000 to 1 [10:50:29] Janeliu: 500,000 [10:50:47] Janeliu: 1=0.8 [10:51:05] Janeliu: 1=8 [10:51:23] Janeliu: 40.0000 [10:51:35] Jason West: 62500 euro [10:51:37] Janeliu: 65.000 [10:56:16] Jason West: divided [10:57:26] *** Call ended *** [10:59:22] Jason West: One second, I had to re-boot... [10:59:29] Janeliu: ok [10:59:39] *** Call to Janeliu, duration 13:43. *** [11:03:38] Jason West: huge black cloud [11:05:47] Jason West: scream [11:05:51] Jason West: to scream [11:07:51] Jason West: anxiety [11:10:19] Jason West: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/WhyisitsohardtospeakEnglishsometimes [11:13:23] *** Call ended *** [11:14:01] Janeliu: (wave) (dance) see u next monday [11:14:03] Janeliu: bis [11:14:14] Jason West:

Lesson 6 continued - Jane and I get onto the topic of why sometimes it is hard for her to find the right words when she wants to speak.

Jane wanted to just ask a few questions in relation to language from her previous sessions, so the language in this session 7 is from various lessons.

[11:41:59] Janeliu: (talk) coucou...
[11:42:20] Jason West: Hi there, how are you?
[11:42:45] Janeliu: fine, just a little tired
[11:42:48] Janeliu: and you?
[11:42:54] Jason West: Me too!
[11:44:46] Janeliu: so have a rest...
Jane asking general questions - 11th May 2010

Jane asked a couple of questions about specific grammar but I didn't want to try and give her some cobbled together and probably inorrect and ultimately confusing explanation. I just explained what the difference in meaning between the similar sentences were. Apart from being caught on the hoof and not wanting to give a misleading explanation I think that learners like Jane have studied a lot of grammar over the years and really don't need another explanation of it. She agreed that in China when learners can't speak the get more grammar, but that it doesn't work.

A good little free form session and useful I think. She wants a lesson on telling the time next time.

[11:46:50] Jason West: It has been tough, I worked all weekend But I am ok. Do you want to have an EOT chat, are you prepared...I have some time and it will be good to listen you again..
[11:47:16] Janeliu: yes, i want !!!
[11:47:42] Jason West: Ok, ready?
[11:47:50] Janeliu: yeh, i prepared something, but not too much
[11:48:03] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 15:10. ***
[11:49:01] Jason West: www.last.fm
[11:51:23] Janeliu: emule
[11:51:56] Jason West: legal or illegal
[11:59:16] Janeliu: creer
[11:59:16] Jason West: Jason West is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[12:03:13] *** Call ended ***
[12:03:21] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 15:08. ***
[12:05:16] Janeliu: short
[12:05:23] Janeliu: line
[12:05:35] Jason West: cable
[12:06:19] Jason West: wifi router
[12:06:31] Jason West: 30 euros
[12:16:55] Janeliu: avantage
[12:16:56] Jason West: Jason West is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[12:17:05] Janeliu: convenient
[12:18:29] *** Call ended ***
[12:18:37] *** Call from Janeliu, duration 06:27. ***
[12:19:18] Jason West: ish
[12:19:23] Jason West: -ish
[12:19:28] Jason West: approximately
[12:20:30] Jason West: 12 o'clock-ish
[12:20:36] Jason West: around or close to
[12:21:33] Janeliu: environ
[12:21:43] Janeliu: vers
[12:25:05] *** Call ended ***
[12:25:37] Janeliu: (punch) fighting..........!!!!!!! see u.
[12:25:44] Janeliu: (wave) bis

Q&A continued...Jane is in good form!

Final session 7 Q&A - I think there is some useful feedback in this recording if I remember correctly...Jane talks about the lessons and how they work for her.

This is the first episode of an online case study that I hope will show people that English Out There works in quite a different way to virtually all other English language teaching and learning courses available and is highly effective at boosting confidence, fluency and accuracy in a very natural way using social and psycholinguistic learning techniques.

There are many people (teachers and learners) who have used and are using our unique materials but we have never before followed one person on their online learning experience in this way. This project has an added twist though...because I hope to take a pre-intermediate level English learner, guide them through some interactions that will improve their English considerably and then guide them through setting up a profitable English language business in their own home town..

This episode includes the initial level placement interview recording, which you can use as a benchmark and compare later episodes against. Listen out for changes in confidence, fluency and accuracy.

Introduction:

Waldek contacted me via EnglishClub.com I think, I posted a comment in a 'skype English practice' forum. He is 29, married with a daughter and runs his own business in a small town in the centre of Poland. He wants to improve his English to help his business. He feels he needs to be able to speak to people who come to his online shop to buy his products.

He also told me he had tried to create an English practice group in his town because there being a big demand for English learning but that it had stalled.

Recently, because of the global econimic situation and how it has affected Poland, he says he has lost a third of his income. He told me he wanted to set up an English teaching and learning business, like his previous attempt at an English practice club, that could provide him with another source of income.

I said I would help if he agreed to help me by allowing me to record and publish our sessions. I said I would try to help him to improve his English and then train him to be able to help other people in his town to do the same so that he could charge for his time and help.

So that was, and is, the challenge. I will just post our text chat histories below and in subsequent episodes so you can see what words I spelled out or the subjects we got onto. View them whilst listening to the audio clips that go with each lesson/session.

Whilst you do this listen to Waldek's fluency, confidence and accuracy with the language.

If you want to do a quick assessment of the progress he has made (or to see IF he has made any progress) listen to the placement interview and then some later sessions. At time of writing this we have had three practice sessions after he has studied an EOT self-study lesson each time.

Our first session on 10th March was lost...I pressed the wrong button when saving the recording...oops! But we still have our benchmark, the placement interview.

Text chat histories: First contact: 8th March 2010

I was contacted by Waldek from Poland because of a forum subject I created on EnglishClub.com:

http://my.englishclub.com/group/letsspeakenglish/forum/topics/facebook-speaking-practice?commentId=2524315%3AComment%3A386234&xg_source=msg_com_forum

I created it because there was a group encouraging learners to speak and practice their English on Skype and I wanted to let people know that Facebook was now voice enabled and that it might be easier to find English speakers to practise with there, as in my experience a lot of English learners find it hard to find people to practise with.

Here are my initial interactions with Waldek from the Skype text chat history:

[04/03/2010 09:00:47] sbizushop: Hello it's me Waldek from poland . I'll try tomorrow about 8 p.m. to call You. If you don't mind ofcourse . [04/03/2010 09:02:33] Jason West: Hi Waldek, I probably won't be online then, the end of the week I tend to be quiet and working on other stuff. Best times are Mon/Tues during the day. Sat mornings. Somtimes Mon-Weds eves. Happy to help if I am about and online...[04/03/2010 11:43:12] Jason West: Jason West has shared contact details with sbizushop. [04/03/2010 12:15:14] *** Call from sbizushop declined. *** [04/03/2010 12:16:17] Jason West: Hi I have to go to get my kids in 1 minute, sorry, let's talk next time we are both online... [04/03/2010 12:17:05] sbizushop: Ok , thank You [04/03/2010 12:17:43] Jason West: No prob...sorry! [10:54:23] sbizushop: Hello , are You there? Have You any time to talk [10:59:17] Jason West: Hi, ok! [10:59:28] *** Call from sbizushop, duration 50:08. *** [11:12:05] Jason West: http://www.facebook.com/EnglishOutThere?v=app_2373072738 [11:27:40] Jason West: jason@languagesoutthere.com [11:30:50] sbizushop: waldemar.xxxxxxxxx@intera.pl [11:32:52] sbizushop: Pabianice [11:37:46] Jason West: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/categories/English-conversation [11:47:20] Jason West: http://www.facebook.com/EnglishOutThere?v=app_2373072738 [11:49:38] *** Call ended ***

My Contemporaneous Notes:

As you can see Waldek and I had a conversation on Skype. It doesn't show but was on the morning of the 8th March. It was a fascinating conversation and we have decided to work together. Waldek has agreed to let me record our future conversations so that I have a record and can evaluate how things have gone and possibly give others access to our sessions at some point. For the conversation we just had I will now write down my notes and some comments.

W (Waldemar or Waldek) said he saw my profile on EnglishClub.com and wanted to talk to me. He said he has never spoken to a native English speaker before but he was pretty good. Roughly, without doing a placement interview I'd say he was about Intermediate level. But I will do a placement test with him soon so we have a better idea. I asked him what he would like to talk about and he suggested we introduce ourselves and talk for about 30 mins. Obviously the time he had available in his day.

At that point I thought it appropriate to explain a bit more about what I did and about my experiences of encouraging and facilitating online English practice. I explained how I felt that there were lots of people, possibly millions, trying to use the internet to practise and improve their English skills. I oultined a scenario that I felt was probably true and asked him to comment at the end. I said I thought that people like him were contacting English speakers online anyway they could and trying to make friends for practice purposes. That the English speakers were probably very friendly at the start and happy to text chat but when the learner asked them to talk they might become less 'available' and suddenly a bit busier. I said that when learners did get someone to talk to them they were then faced with the question of what to talk about and how to make it an effective and enjoyable experience for both of them. He had obviously thought about this before and said 'prepare something in my head to talk about'. I thought this was great as it was where I wanted to take the conversation.

I then explained what i thought about the need to prepare before a practice conversation and outlined how EOT materials did that. I briefly explained about the origins of EOT, how it works in the real world and how it can work online. I tried to explain that people, all people, have limited time to help and talk and that even if they are friendly at first and want to help, if they get asked the same unplanned questions and don't know when the conversation time is going to end (i.e. how short and focused it is going to be) they will be scared by the 'commitment' they are being asked to make. I likened it to a guy being happy to see a girl once a week and have some fun time together and be happy to continue like that for some time and then have her tell him she loved him and wanted to have his children on the second date! He laughed and agreed with me.

He said that he had gone onto EnglishClub.com to find someone to talk to but had found materials and videos only. He had found two people to talk to online. One an Algerian guy whose English was at a much lower level, one that was too low to be of any help to him. The other person was a Polish friend who now lived in the US but that guy just wanted to speak Polish. His Polish friend suggested an American girl who loved talking a lot and he contacted her but nothing came of it.

W then asked if I would talk for free or not. I said I would but on the condition that we did it my way, using my materials and ideas and he agreed. W then gave me a short summary of his English language learning experiences. He said he had taught himself pretty much at first and then hired a non-native speaker private English teacher for about £5 per hour. He told me how much he had earned and said that the lessons were affordable on his old earnings but that things had changed and he now earned less. He explained how times were fairly tough economically in Pabianice for a lot of people, he and his family included.

He said he owned an artificial jewellery shop in the town of about 70,000 people in the middle of Poland and that he had tried to take it online too but found it tough to get people to pay online. Saying there were 3,000 items in his real shop but 20,000 on eBay and that people need to trust you to send them the products before they purchased and that that took time. My impression, and I think he said this, was that he felt improving his English would help his business. I was really excited to hear W say that in his efforts to improve his English he had tried to set up an English conversation club in Pabianice. However he said it had failed, despite some people being interested at the start, because to get a room to meet he would have had to sign a rental agreement and that was not financially possible and then he suggested they try to meet in McDonalds (by buying a coffee or snack and practising there) but that no one wanted to do that.

So it sounded like the initial interest faded and died. W said himself that maybe he didn't give it as much effort as he could have or needed to to make it work. He told me one local girl wanted to practise with him but felt it was not such a good idea as he was married with kids and she was young and single and that in a small town people might get the wrong idea I agreed with him. I have a partner and two kids too.

Waldek then told me he felt he would like to be an English teacher as teachers earned just under £10 per hour there, but he lacked the confidence, saying you needed to be a 'very good' teacher to earn that. It was then that it crossed my mind that apart from me helping Waldek to practise his English and do it using some EOT materials if he was interested we could do a little experiment and try to help him resurrect his English club in Pabianice and even turn it into something that could, in time, replace the money he used to earn but now doesn't because of the economic downturn.

Basically, he liked the idea and he agreed to work with me to do a few things:

1. Use EOT materials to practise with me and let me record the sessions so that others can hear if he makes progress and how it all works online
2. See if I can train him to help others in his town to use EOT materials and enable him to, hopefully, start to make some money from helping others to help themselves to improve their English by using EOT materials, social media and the internet in a way that hopefully will provide them with a great and inexpensive personal English learning network that they can use whenever and wherever they like.
3. In effect, I will show Waldek how it works and then he will show others and charge them something for his time, help and guidance.

So, this is the experiment Waldek and I are about to embark upon. If it works it could not only help him to improve his English considerably, it could also help him to create his own English improvement business. 

He thanked me quite a lot at the end of our discussion and said some nice things about me. I told him that he would be helping me and that I hoped we would both equally benefit from the experience. We talked about good times to meet online and swopped email addresses for the process to somehow start to take shape. I am going to have a think about how to do this and he is going to read some web pages I sent him, specifically the discussions page on the EOT Facebook fan page and some pages on the LOT website. I am very excited by this project, and so is Waldek, and I will keep you all informed as we go.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second contact: 9th March 2010

[13:14:32] sbizushop: Hello do you have 5 min. . I want to ask samething

[13:15:00] Jason West: Yeah ok

[13:15:04] *** Call from sbizushop, duration 20:02. ***

[13:17:04] Jason West: https://languagesout.ssl.subhub.com/subscribe

[13:23:36] Jason West: http://www.facebook.com/EnglishOutThere [13:23:56] Jason West: Facebook voice channel: http://bit.ly/16R3Os

[13:35:13] *** Call ended ***

Waldek wanted to talk about the course but I suggested he sign up to the free membership on LOT.com to see some sample lessons and pick one to work with so that we could have a trial run. I then got him to load the Vivox app for Facebook to see if we could do it on FB and record there. I am going to do the level test with him and then the first trial practice session after he has used a lesson plan. Then look at how to do the rest. (n.b. Skype extras seems to have gone...will have to check out).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First practice session after Waldek studied an EOT lesson: 09/03/10

Lost recording - doh! I pressed the wrong button, but listen to the placement interview that we did before we recorded before we did the practice session from the lesson.

This chat history is from when I realised I had lost the lesson recording.

Waldemar Piechura Clear Chat History

11:14Jason Hi Waldek, let's give it a go again...Please join me in a voice chat here: http://bit.ly/16R3Os

12:03Jason Hey, I just lost the recording...I pressed the wron button....aaaaarrgggh! So sorry Waldek, I feel so stupid! We can record next time....but try to talk to some other people and record the conversations. Ok?

12:14Waldemar No problem we'll do it agein on wendnesday

12:16Jason Yeah, gawd I feel like a real idiot

12:16Waldemar Sorry I did not write, but Idid not know how it worket 12:17Waldemar Jason maby its better . The intrfierance was bed

12:17Jason Don't worry, I should have asked you to record it... You just push the red button at the top right.

12:18Waldemar Thank you one more time for your help .

12:19Jason No prob. We are helping each other 12:19Waldemar Red buttom, ok I'ii use it next time

12:19Jason Make sure you keep that learning diary!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third contact with Waldek:

There was a session on 17/03/10 but we didn't use text chat it seems

Do listen to the recording of the practice session which is in two parts (a and b) and there is some feedback (c)

(N.B. different every time!)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Out There Task practice session recording from lesson 2.

There is a recorded feedback session in Episode 2c

This is some recorded feedback from Waldek. I decided he was pre-intermediate for the purpose of EOT because at the start I wanted to him to feel comfortable using the language in the lesson plans so that he could concentrate on the production of it in our conversations i.e. give him some confidence and get some fluency back (as he says himself here). He had studied his first EOT lesson, done the speaking practice with me and had just done a second EOT self-study lesson and a speaking practice session.

I expect there to be a quick improvement in fluency and confidence and will most probably raise the level and start working on more accuracy fairly soon.

Fourth contact: 22/03/10 

Waldek chat history: Lesson 3 - Moving to another country.

This chat history is me spelling stuff mostly. Pamela is a free recording app for Skype which works very well.

The EOT Meetup groups have 50 teachers in London you can contact for one to one or small group lessons any time you like. Just contact them, fix a time/place and pay them directly.

Jason West: yo

Jason West: Surrey

Jason West: Liverpool

Jason West: Wales

Jason West: weymouth

Jason West: dorset

Jason West: contradictory

Jason West: addicted to

Jason West: pamela

Jason West: looser

Jason West: http://www.meetup.com/EnglishOutThere

At the end of this lesson Waldek said he had stopped translating from Polish to English in his head! I could hear that he was more fluent than the last time without listening to the recording but I will go back and listen again to make sure.

I just wish I had not messed up saving the recording of our first practice session! Ah, well. Today he asked me about creating his EOT business in his town. That is definitely a good sign...I want him to start guiding learners in his town to use EOT materials and online social learning techniques.

I am really enjoying my time online with Waldek and he has made other Facebook friends, Sean in the USA and Mary in Canada and is practising with them too! I think he said he now has six. Great stuff.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waldek Chat history 24/03/10 - Lesson 4 - Food

This is what Waldek should have been doing on the practice call:

Discussing national dishes and favourite foods
Language Focus: Food and cookery vocabulary
Skills: Reading, speaking, listening

Was it successful? You be the judge

[11:14:31] Jason West: Sorry, can do it now...I was deep in something I had to do....I had 11 in my mind and didn't see your messages
[11:16:23] Waldeck: No problem Jason
[11:18:05] Jason West: Ok, let's do it on here, but can we keep it fairly short...i.e. you ask me the questions, we discuss the answers, you say 'thanks'

and then 'bye'....also want to dicsuss how many other people you have talked using EOT. Need to keep it under 15 mins for the recording device and I

need to do some work that can't wait...ok?
[11:19:29] Waldeck: ok I see
[11:19:45] Jason West: Ok, ready? Call me?
[11:19:53] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 15:22. ***
[11:22:29] Jason West: herb
[11:22:52] Jason West: tarragon
[11:27:37] Jason West: sprinkled with
[11:27:43] Jason West: dipped in
[11:28:34] Jason West: escalope
[11:28:52] Jason West: shallow fried
[11:29:16] Jason West: pickled
[11:30:14] Jason West: ingredient
[11:30:45] Jason West: pee
[11:30:49] Jason West: pea
[11:35:15] *** Call ended ***

Scroll down and click omn download to listen to the speaking practice session recorded on Skype this time (the previous ones were on Facebook).

Feedback/progress call - download and listen to our discussion
[11:35:25] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 07:46. ***

Waldek EOT practice session - 29/03/10

Lesson 5 - Future Plans

[10:39:07] Waldeck: Hi how are you?
[10:39:15] Waldeck: whan we start ?
[10:40:06] Jason West: Hi mate, I'm ok, bit tired after a busy weekend...can we start in 5 mins?
[10:40:19] Waldeck: I sugest on facebook,
[10:40:31] Jason West: Ok, 5 mins on FB?
[10:40:46] Waldeck:
[10:40:51] Jason West:

Jason West: philosophical
Jason West: thicker
Jason West: butter milk
Jason West: cream
Jason West: menus
Jason West: prune is a dried plum
Jason West: plumber
Jason West: campusbuddy

Another pleasant session and I also got an interesting sounding recipe from Waldek for Polish Strawberry Soup with macaroni!

Waldek has also had a few practice conversations with other Engish speakers.

At the end we briefly discussed how we might get his EOT business going in Poland.

Waldek Case Study - Lesson 6: Feelings - 7th April 2010

I was ill last week and we only hooked up on Monday so it has been over a week since we last spoke.

First contact on Skype:

Hi Jason How are you?
[11:07:12] Jason West: Yeah, 5 minutes...ok?
[11:07:24] Waldeck: ok.
[11:12:11] Jason West: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/
[11:17:29] Jason West: Hah, wrong one, I was on skype with someone else and meant to send them that link, I was talking about you! 3 mins

mate...ok?
[11:17:49] Waldeck: ok
[11:23:36] Jason West: Ok, here or Facebook?
[11:23:59] Waldeck: facebook let;s try
[11:24:03] Jason West: ok

Text chat history on Facebook in Vivox voice app (recorded there too):

Jason West: anaesthetic
Jason West: novocaine
Jason West: unsociable hours
Jason West: do you vet calls
Jason West: to vet
Jason West: pick up
Jason West: offended
Jason West: to offend
Jason West: joy stick
Jason West: double standards
Jason West: owner
Jason West: poo
Jason West: defecate
Jason West: do their business
Jason West: guests
Jason West: when guests come into your home
Jason West: when guests come in, god comes in
Waldemar Piechura: e god or the God
Jason West: altar boy
Jason West: hit
Jason West: swansea
Jason West: south wales
Jason West: hydro-ceramic engineer
Jason West: Hi, can I just try some new English I have learned with you, it'll take about 3 minutes?

I'm hearing Waldek make mistakes with articles and collocations so I am going to find a lesson that involves them to see if we can make some improvements. Have a listen next time to see if we get any success! It might mean jumping a level...or two...and it could be tough..but I think my friend is probably up to it

Here is a bit of an experiment for lesson 7. Over the last couple of sessions I realised that Waldek's use of articles needed some attention. I found an EOT lesson on the use of articles and collocations that I wanted to use but it was an Upper Intermediate lesson (so two levels higher!). Quite a big test. But I think it worked. See what you think?

Listen to episode 6 and try to hear Waldek's use of articles and then listen to lesson 7 for the same. In my opinion the lesson, working with the language, has focused what Krashen would call his 'monitor' on the use of articles and he corrects himself (there are little pauses if you can hear them).

In my experience, trying to correct someone like Waldek's habitual spoken grammatical errors is incredibly difficult. But I think we made an excellent start here using EOT.

Listen to the feedback session where he and I discuss using a higher level lesson for this purpose and him telling me how he coped with it. It took a lot more work and time but the effort was, I think, rewarded. Waldek seems very happy anyway!

Here's the transcript from the Skype chat box for the session (audio recorded using Pamela call recorder on Skype - free version):

[10:44:43] Waldeck: Hi Jason how are you?
[10:45:23] Jason West: Yeah, okay, you?
[10:46:15] Waldeck: Me too adn
[10:46:42] Waldeck: But we can work .. If you don't mind
[10:47:15] Waldeck: and
[10:47:37] Jason West: Yeah, ok, is 5 mins ok? Sorry about the Smolensk aircrash...terrible. See you on FB in 5
[10:48:28] Waldeck: maby heare will be beter
[10:48:50] Jason West: Ok, we can do it here...give me 5..
[10:48:57] Waldeck: ok
[10:54:01] Waldeck: here
[10:54:16] Jason West: ok..one sec
[10:55:01] Waldeck: not heare, my spaling os awful
[10:55:25] Jason West: ok, call me
[10:55:39] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 04:44. ***
[11:00:34] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 02:06. ***
[11:00:44] Waldeck: ptak
[11:02:41] *** Call ended ***
[11:05:35] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:03. ***
[11:11:00] Jason West: friction
[11:13:18] Jason West: regards
[11:20:38] *** Call ended ***
[11:21:33] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 10:34. ***

This is the recorded feedback conversation between us. Waldek tells me how he coped with suddenly doing a lesson two levels higher and I explain what I heard in our conversation practice and what I think was happening to his speaking skills.

I hope you find this as interesting an experiment as I did. It will be interesting to hear if we have moved his ability to monitor his use of articles into his long-term every day English communication.

I think i will suggest he does the practice element of the lesson with a few more English speakers over the next week to really get it becoming a reflex.

Here's the transcript from lesson 8 - Aim: To give tourist ‘tips and advice’ for visitors to your country- Language Focus: Expressing degrees of obligation and advice – modals which was an Intermediate lesson...I just wanted to low the difficulty/work factor for Waldek from last time and work on modals.

Have a listen and see if you think he benefits from the lesson and practice session. This one is in three parts as it went on for a while

The feedback discussion is in part c.

Hi Jason how are you?
[12/04/2010 10:45:23] Jason West: Yeah, okay, you?
[12/04/2010 10:46:15] Waldeck: Me too adn
[12/04/2010 10:46:42] Waldeck: But we can work .. If you don't mind
[12/04/2010 10:47:15] Waldeck: and
[12/04/2010 10:47:37] Jason West: Yeah, ok, is 5 mins ok? Sorry about the Smolensk aircrash...terrible. See you on FB in 5
[12/04/2010 10:48:28] Waldeck: maby heare will be beter
[12/04/2010 10:48:50] Jason West: Ok, we can do it here...give me 5..
[12/04/2010 10:48:57] Waldeck: ok
[12/04/2010 10:54:01] Waldeck: here
[12/04/2010 10:54:16] Jason West: ok..one sec
[12/04/2010 10:55:01] Waldeck: not heare, my spaling os awful
[12/04/2010 10:55:25] Jason West: ok, call me
[12/04/2010 10:55:39] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 04:44. ***
[12/04/2010 11:00:34] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 02:06. ***
[12/04/2010 11:00:44] Waldeck: ptak
[12/04/2010 11:02:41] *** Call ended ***
[12/04/2010 11:05:35] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:03. ***
[12/04/2010 11:11:00] Jason West: friction
[12/04/2010 11:13:18] Jason West: regards
[12/04/2010 11:20:38] *** Call ended ***
[12/04/2010 11:21:33] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 10:34. ***
[13/04/2010 11:24:47] Waldeck: Hi , Can you talk
[13/04/2010 11:25:02] Waldeck: The materials /..
[13/04/2010 11:25:11] Waldeck: ?
[13/04/2010 11:28:09] Jason West: What's up?
[13/04/2010 11:28:23] Waldeck: The link
[13/04/2010 11:28:28] Jason West: which one?
[13/04/2010 11:28:50] Waldeck: It should be from the last e-mail?
[13/04/2010 11:28:53] Jason West: podomatic/audio
[13/04/2010 11:29:27] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 05:04. ***
[13/04/2010 11:32:12] Jason West: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/entry/2010-04-13T02_57_58-07_00
[13/04/2010 11:34:31] *** Call ended ***
[10:43:06] Waldeck: Hi Jason , I'm here
[10:43:22] Jason West: Ok, 3 mins?
[10:43:47] Waldeck: 10 min. can be ?
[10:45:20] Jason West: Ok, cool, need a pee and coffee
[10:46:02] Waldeck:
[11:01:54] Jason West: ready?
[11:02:16] Waldeck: And , now it's good time?
[11:02:22] Jason West: yes
[11:02:26] Waldeck: ok. I''
[11:02:39] Waldeck: I'll call
[11:02:46] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 30:23. ***
[11:09:58] Jason West: unpasteurised milk
[11:11:43] Jason West: 16th century
[11:12:27] Jason West: 10-13th century
[11:14:03] Jason West: pond
[11:15:40] Jason West: enthusiast
[11:20:24] Jason West: sand dunes
[11:21:45] Jason West: tree blossom
[11:21:51] Jason West: blooming
[11:26:01] Jason West: tunnel
[11:26:51] Jason West: sanctuary
[11:28:44] Jason West: entertainment
[11:29:44] Jason West: loom
[11:29:53] Jason West: weave fabric
[11:33:09] *** Call ended ***
[11:33:19] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 10:32. ***
[11:40:37] Jason West: italki.com
[11:40:43] Jason West: www.italki.com
[11:41:05] Jason West: www.livemocha.com
[11:41:15] Jason West: www.mylanguageexchange.com
[11:43:51] *** Call ended ***

Section b - have a listen as we progress...

Final bit, including our feedback chat for the modals lesson...

Lesson 9 - modals of probability, possibility and certainty...

Waldek and I get on so well and seem to have got into a bit of a groove so our social learning scenarios go on longer than they would normally for someone using English Out There materials and speaking to seven or eight English speakers to practise. Waldek does have other people he speaks to using the same language and I am pretty sure they speak for a lot shorter periods.

In this episode I corrected him a bit more on a couple of things I wanted to highlight.

There are four recordings...a, b, c and d. The last one (d) is more about the business development side of our relationship.

Here is the text chat history:

[10:53:09] Waldeck: Hi Jason , how are you?
[10:54:07] Jason West: Yeah, ok, you?
[10:54:21] Jason West: 5 mins? need to grab a coffee!
[10:54:32] Waldeck: ok no problem
[10:55:02] Jason West: ta!
[10:55:20] Waldeck: ta-yes
[11:13:55] Jason West: sorry 1 min, someone called...
[11:14:08] Jason West: eek, sorry!
Waldeck
[11:16:14] Jason West: ok
[11:16:33] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 15:10. ***
[11:22:35] Jason West: revenge
[11:28:17] Jason West: freer
[11:28:21] Jason West: free
[11:30:18] Jason West: multi-tasking
[11:30:59] Jason West: ipad
[11:31:42] *** Call ended ***
[11:31:53] Waldeck: 15
[11:32:04] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:58. ***
[11:33:06] Jason West: limitations
[11:33:28] Jason West: evagelise
[11:33:33] Jason West: evangelise
[11:36:41] Jason West: voice recognition
[11:43:28] Jason West: workaround
[11:45:45] Jason West: bomb
[11:45:47] Waldeck: bumb
[11:47:02] *** Call ended ***
[11:47:17] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:06. ***
[12:02:33] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 08:30. ***

Lesson 9 continued....technology and possibilities.

Lesson 9 continued...technology and possibilities.

Waldek says he wants to write about his English Out There experiences on Facebook after his 10th lesson (next one) and it will be interesting to take some small clips from each session and put them together to see if we can hear any improvement But then you should have a listen yourself and make your own mind up.

Here is the chat history again:

[10:53:09] Waldeck: Hi Jason , how are you?
[10:54:07] Jason West: Yeah, ok, you?
[10:54:21] Jason West: 5 mins? need to grab a coffee!
[10:54:32] Waldeck: ok no problem
[10:55:02] Jason West: ta!
[10:55:20] Waldeck: ta-yes
[11:13:55] Jason West: sorry 1 min, someone called...
[11:14:08] Jason West: eek, sorry!
Waldeck
[11:16:14] Jason West: ok
[11:16:33] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 15:10. ***
[11:22:35] Jason West: revenge
[11:28:17] Jason West: freer
[11:28:21] Jason West: free
[11:30:18] Jason West: multi-tasking
[11:30:59] Jason West: ipad
[11:31:42] *** Call ended ***
[11:31:53] Waldeck: 15
[11:32:04] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:58. ***
[11:33:06] Jason West: limitations
[11:33:28] Jason West: evagelise
[11:33:33] Jason West: evangelise
[11:36:41] Jason West: voice recognition
[11:43:28] Jason West: workaround
[11:45:45] Jason West: bomb
[11:45:47] Waldeck: bumb
[11:47:02] *** Call ended ***
[11:47:17] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:06. ***
[12:02:33] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 08:30. ***

This is the final recording for today (Lesson 9) and it is more about the progress Waldek has made with organising the setting up of an English Out There English club in his home town. So, the business bit! He has been offered a free room in the local library to hold the sessions. Here he tells me more about his meeting (he had emailed me on Friday) and we discuss what we think the next steps should be. It's great to be doing this this way...I don't know if anyone else has done anything similar (they have probably not made a podcast out of it as they discuss and do it!). I want to help Waldek to earn some money from our materials and ideas and then guide others by making this information available to them. I'm not worried about people copying us because no one I know of has any materials that can do this. Have a listen to our first 'start-up' discussions for the Polish launch of EOT in a public library in a small town in central Poland, Pabianice. Exciting stuff, I hope you agree!

This is our tenth session. I slipped a slightly lower level lesson in the mix here as we are both a bit pushed for time this week and I wanted to do some present perfect:

Self-study Pack Level 3 Topic Aim To discuss achievements and experiences Language Focus Skills Lesson 7 All of the things I have done Present perfect Reading, speaking, listening

Have a listen to see if we got there!

The second and third recordings (b + c) is the end of our session and Waldy and I talking about the commercial side of our experiment. He has been given a free room in his local library to introduce the good citizens of Pabianice to EOT and help them buy and use our materials. They will have some web access on site and I have set up a Facebook page for Pabianice that Waldy will run and use to promote his local EOT business venture. Here's the (very long at the moment) link: do go and say 'Hi' and leave a message for us.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pabianice-Poland/English-Out-There-Pabianice/111071025600221?v=app_2373072738#!/pages/Pabianice-Poland/English-Out-There-Pabianice/111071025600221

[21/04/2010 13:49:05] Waldeck: Hi Jason i'm in
[21/04/2010 13:49:42] Waldeck: but I have to grab a plate of supe
[21/04/2010 13:50:05] Waldeck: And you mayby a coffy ?
[21/04/2010 13:50:23] Jason West: Ok, I am here...I can wait for you to have lunch...I have a lot to do today...
[21/04/2010 13:50:55] Waldeck: 10 min i'll be ok for me
[21/04/2010 13:51:14] Jason West: Take longer if you like...
[21/04/2010 13:51:26] Waldeck: thank you
[21/04/2010 14:05:16] Waldeck: Le's do my tusk
[21/04/2010 14:06:26] Jason West: Ok, we need to be quick today...probably for both of us
[21/04/2010 14:06:44] Waldeck: yas 165 min max
[21/04/2010 14:06:54] Waldeck: 15 not 165
[21/04/2010 14:07:00] Jason West: v funny!
[21/04/2010 14:07:04] Jason West: Go on call me...
[21/04/2010 14:07:08] Waldeck: hi hi
[21/04/2010 14:07:16] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 00:43. ***
[21/04/2010 14:10:22] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:58. ***
[21/04/2010 14:12:35] Waldeck: Toruń
[21/04/2010 14:18:53] Jason West: weighed
[21/04/2010 14:19:20] Jason West: laughed
[21/04/2010 14:21:08] Jason West: cosmetics
[21/04/2010 14:21:44] Jason West: elevator pitch
[21/04/2010 14:21:50] Jason West: lift
[21/04/2010 14:24:37] Jason West: morbidly obese
[21/04/2010 14:24:56] Jason West: clinically obese
[21/04/2010 14:25:20] *** Call ended ***
[21/04/2010 14:26:16] Jason West: Recorder not working, need to log out og skype and come back ni...1 min...
[21/04/2010 14:26:25] Waldeck: ok
[21/04/2010 14:27:48] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:03. ***
[21/04/2010 14:42:37] Waldeck: Pabianice
[21/04/2010 14:42:51] *** Call ended ***
[21/04/2010 14:42:59] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 00:50. ***

Session 10 continued...

Last part of session 10 where we talk about the EOT Pabianice project at the end (I think).

If you get to this point...listen to Waldek speaking...during the practice session of 10 I gave him a bit of a hard time correcting him more than usual...but when I laid off he became more fluent and confident.

Also go back to episode one and see if you think he has improved in terms of confidence and fluency?

What I can hear are habitual grammatical errors that he needs to notice a bit more and correct before he says them, hence my slightly higher level of intervention earlier in the session with use of a lower level lesson plan. Not sure if it will work but we'll keep stabbing away at it.

By his own admission Waldek's reading and writing skills in English are quite poor, so he might need some more help on that front and EOT is not really a course that is aimed in that direction but I think I will suggest he reads more English newspapers and books and uses an English language dictionary more.

There are lots of free grammar related exerices online but his main focus was to improve his speaking form day one...

Final sign off for the session...

Self-study Pack Level 3 Topic Aim Language Focus To like/ to be like/ to look like Skills Lesson 6 Stereotypes

This was interesting in a number of ways. We discovered that we both played sport to quite a high standard when we were younger but were both 'on the bench' a lot!

Here's the text chat transcript:

[09:24:09] Waldeck: Hi Jason I'm in aleardy . If you prefere doing our work ealier we can do this . I have 3 hors so your will whan we start
[09:25:58] Waldeck: hours not hors hi hi v funny
[10:15:48] Jason West: Morning, sorry I was away from my pc...mistakes...in the materials...LOL Thanks I will make a note and when we we revciew and re-edit we will make the changes...sometimes you miss stuff.
[10:16:00] Jason West: You still there, do you wnat to speak in 5 mins?
[10:17:03] Waldeck: yes we can
[10:18:07] Jason West: Ok, speak in a bit
[10:18:18] Waldeck: ok
[10:27:25] Jason West: Ready?
[10:27:36] Waldeck: yes
[10:28:03] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:25. ***
[10:29:15] Waldeck: plot
[10:31:24] Jason West: beat
[10:31:31] Jason West: hit
[10:43:28] *** Call ended ***
[10:43:42] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 15:00. ***
[10:44:48] Jason West: intuitive
[10:45:20] Jason West: social justice
[10:46:00] Jason West: U18
[10:46:13] Jason West: under 21
[10:46:59] Jason West: replacement
[10:47:07] Jason West: squad
[10:47:40] Jason West: no substitutions
[10:47:53] Jason West: during the game
[10:50:43] Jason West: tackle
[10:52:39] Jason West: full contact
[10:58:42] *** Call ended ***
[10:58:54] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:54. ***
[10:59:58] Jason West: to adapt
[11:02:07] Jason West: stereotypical
[11:03:42] Jason West: diesel
[11:03:48] Jason West: emissions
[11:13:48] *** Call ended ***

More of us talking about stereotypes...Waldek is starting to 'drive' the conversation himself now, whikch is really quite cool...

We also have a chat about the opening of EOT Pabiance, the English Club that he is starting in his local library. I am trying to take a very hands-off role and just let things (hopefully) develop naturally.

Waldek said the director of the library has put some notices up but you never can tell when or even if something like this will be attractive. Hopefully it will. Fingers crossed.

Final recording of our stereotypes/sport/EOT project conversation...

This was a fun session. We are both lapsed sportsmen so we had a a great discussion around the subject.

This was recorded on Facebook.

Later that day we had another session but on Skype that was set up at Pabianice Library where the first meeting of the EOT Pabianice English Club took place...the group consisted of Waldek, Marzena, the director of the library, and one 18 year old student from a local college. I spoke to Marzena and she was very enthusiastic. Some posters have been made and everyone is very excited about the potential to help the English learners of Pabianice to get some great English lessons.

Here's the text chat history:

[28/04/2010 10:08:22] Waldeck: I'm fine , I;ve got 2 hours
[28/04/2010 10:09:04] Waldeck: so don't be in a hurry
[28/04/2010 10:09:29] Jason West: Ok, ta! Gonna have to be quick today.. Busy again.
[28/04/2010 10:11:01] Waldeck: ok so I'm wating for you to fee, ok
[28/04/2010 10:11:16] Jason West: ok
[28/04/2010 10:11:21] Jason West: thanks
[28/04/2010 10:11:53] Waldeck: Biger Thsnks
[28/04/2010 10:12:12] Waldeck: Thanks
[28/04/2010 10:12:50] Waldeck: don't sleap in a meeting
[28/04/2010 12:09:25] Jason West: Hi mate, can we do a quick one, you still there, sorry....or we could do it later, when you get set up at the library?
[28/04/2010 12:09:41] Jason West: I was planning to 'attend' the library session and say hi!
[28/04/2010 12:12:43] Waldeck: Mayby you are right we can do it later
[28/04/2010 12:12:59] Jason West: Ok, coll 1 min
[28/04/2010 12:13:34] Waldeck: but I sugast useing the fasebook
[28/04/2010 12:14:02] Jason West: Oh, okay, fine...see you there....
[28/04/2010 12:14:32] Waldeck: becouse there is not skype program in the librery
[28/04/2010 12:15:10] Jason West: They can just download it, easy, or is there a tech problem (firewall?)
[28/04/2010 12:15:27] Waldeck: see you about 6.45 my time
[28/04/2010 12:15:45] Jason West: Do you weant to do the lesson talk now/
[28/04/2010 12:15:59] Jason West: I ahve 20 mins
[28/04/2010 12:16:12] Waldeck: yes
[28/04/2010 12:16:24] Jason West: ok, see you in Facebook
[28/04/2010 12:16:48] Jason West: Click this http://bit.ly/16R3Os
[28/04/2010 12:17:13] Jason West: Janne (my partner) says 'hi' and that she feels like she knows you
[28/04/2010 12:17:26] Jason West: She just gave me a cup iof tea, she has the day off.
[28/04/2010 12:52:45] Waldeck: Jason we have skype in librery.The director has just told mi it . We call from a new adress to you , so don't be supraised .
[28/04/2010 12:53:40] Jason West: Ok, cool...just send me a contact request and write 'EOT Pabianice' or 'Waldy' in the message...cool. i will have the web cam set up!
[28/04/2010 12:53:56] Waldeck: ok
[28/04/2010 12:54:11] Jason West: p.s. upload your picture on FB and on Skype!
[28/04/2010 12:54:32] Waldeck: ok

[10:26:51] Waldeck: Hi Jason how are you ? When we start?
[10:27:19] Jason West: Hi mate....can you give me 10 mins?
[10:27:31] Waldeck: ok sure
[10:28:49] Jason West: Thanks!
[10:46:43] Jason West: Ready?
[10:47:07] Waldeck: yeat
[10:47:13] Waldeck: yeah
[10:47:34] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:56. ***
[10:48:38] Jason West: ran out of steam
[11:00:59] Jason West: clubbing
[11:02:30] *** Call ended ***
[11:03:06] Jason West: Sorry, got to reboot skype...one minute..
[11:03:12] Waldeck: ok
[11:04:39] Waldeck: the quality is beter today
[11:05:06] Jason West: yup...one second..
[11:05:14] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 14:19. ***
[11:08:29] Jason West: unconscious
[11:15:03] Jason West: cartilage
[11:19:34] *** Call ended ***

...continued.

This final lesson with Waldek is from the level 5 Upper-intermediate (CEFR C1) course. He began his EOT experience using level 3 Pre-intermediate (CEFR B1) materials.

[12/05/2010 10:18:23] Waldeck: hi
[12/05/2010 10:18:32] Waldeck: jason
[12/05/2010 10:18:53] Waldeck: Hi Jason
[12/05/2010 10:19:03] Jason West: Hi mate...you ready?
[12/05/2010 10:19:12] Waldeck: Yey
[12/05/2010 10:19:17] Waldeck: Yes
[12/05/2010 10:19:27] Jason West: Can you give me 5 mins to grab a coffee?
[12/05/2010 10:19:34] Waldeck: ok
[12/05/2010 10:25:13] Jason West: ok, ready?
[12/05/2010 10:25:33] Waldeck: yes
[12/05/2010 10:25:52] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 00:24. ***
[12/05/2010 10:26:35] Jason West: what happened then?
[12/05/2010 10:26:49] Waldeck: I can hear you
[12/05/2010 10:26:59] Jason West: Call me
[12/05/2010 10:27:06] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 15:14. ***
[12/05/2010 10:28:22] Jason West: levelling
[12/05/2010 10:29:56] Jason West: landscape gardening
[12/05/2010 10:34:46] Jason West: char woman
[12/05/2010 10:35:38] Jason West: home help/cleaner
[12/05/2010 10:36:04] Jason West: domestic help
[12/05/2010 10:36:44] Jason West: chair woman
[12/05/2010 10:41:31] Jason West: work/life balance
[12/05/2010 10:42:21] *** Call ended ***
[12/05/2010 10:42:34] Jason West: recororing..hang on
[12/05/2010 10:42:38] Waldeck: y
[12/05/2010 10:42:44] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 30:06. ***
[12/05/2010 10:49:24] Jason West: interior design
[12/05/2010 10:49:48] Jason West: to adorn
[12/05/2010 10:49:55] Jason West: to decorate
[12/05/2010 10:51:14] Waldeck: mase
[12/05/2010 10:51:36] Jason West: paste
[12/05/2010 10:51:57] Jason West: papier mache
[12/05/2010 10:53:06] Jason West: oven
[12/05/2010 11:03:11] Jason West: rounded life
[12/05/2010 11:06:58] Jason West: contracting
[12/05/2010 11:07:03] Jason West: getting smaller
[12/05/2010 11:07:06] Jason West: recession
[12/05/2010 11:07:15] Jason West: they were/are in recession
[12/05/2010 11:09:52] Jason West: minimum wage
[12/05/2010 11:12:50] *** Call ended ***
[12/05/2010 11:12:59] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 18:23. ***

...continued:

[12/05/2010 10:18:23] Waldeck: hi
[12/05/2010 10:18:32] Waldeck: jason
[12/05/2010 10:18:53] Waldeck: Hi Jason
[12/05/2010 10:19:03] Jason West: Hi mate...you ready?
[12/05/2010 10:19:12] Waldeck: Yey
[12/05/2010 10:19:17] Waldeck: Yes
[12/05/2010 10:19:27] Jason West: Can you give me 5 mins to grab a coffee?
[12/05/2010 10:19:34] Waldeck: ok
[12/05/2010 10:25:13] Jason West: ok, ready?
[12/05/2010 10:25:33] Waldeck: yes
[12/05/2010 10:25:52] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 00:24. ***
[12/05/2010 10:26:35] Jason West: what happened then?
[12/05/2010 10:26:49] Waldeck: I can hear you
[12/05/2010 10:26:59] Jason West: Call me
[12/05/2010 10:27:06] *** Call from Waldeck, duration 15:14. ***
[12/05/2010 10:28:22] Jason West: levelling
[12/05/2010 10:29:56] Jason West: landscape gardening
[12/05/2010 10:34:46] Jason West: char woman
[12/05/2010 10:35:38] Jason West: home help/cleaner
[12/05/2010 10:36:04] Jason West: domestic help
[12/05/2010 10:36:44] Jason West: chair woman
[12/05/2010 10:41:31] Jason West: work/life balance
[12/05/2010 10:42:21] *** Call ended ***
[12/05/2010 10:42:34] Jason West: recororing..hang on
[12/05/2010 10:42:38] Waldeck: y
[12/05/2010 10:42:44] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 30:06. ***
[12/05/2010 10:49:24] Jason West: interior design
[12/05/2010 10:49:48] Jason West: to adorn
[12/05/2010 10:49:55] Jason West: to decorate
[12/05/2010 10:51:14] Waldeck: mase
[12/05/2010 10:51:36] Jason West: paste
[12/05/2010 10:51:57] Jason West: papier mache
[12/05/2010 10:53:06] Jason West: oven
[12/05/2010 11:03:11] Jason West: rounded life
[12/05/2010 11:06:58] Jason West: contracting
[12/05/2010 11:07:03] Jason West: getting smaller
[12/05/2010 11:07:06] Jason West: recession
[12/05/2010 11:07:15] Jason West: they were/are in recession
[12/05/2010 11:09:52] Jason West: minimum wage
[12/05/2010 11:12:50] *** Call ended ***
[12/05/2010 11:12:59] *** Call to Waldeck, duration 18:23. ***

This is the third recording of a long session...Waldek is very animated and is on good form...

It is interesting to me that he now seems to want to talk a lot and I have trouble slowing him down or even getting a word in sometimes. I am indulging him a fair bit since in a typical EOT session I would expect the questions and answers (the conversation) to take up to about 5 minutes in total, but in these sessions I let him continue (and have done before). It fascinates me to hear him using English so confidently and passionately and he has become my friend so it is hard to watch the clock too much.

As I have been doing this experiment and listening the results it has struck me that there are probably two kinds of online EOT experience. The first is the 'slam, bam, thank you' five minute session I mention above and which can be had with any English speaker.

The second is more of a taught experience for the learner but not like conventionally taught lessons. The input in this case is self-paced with the self-study EOT materials but the EOT practice session can be longer, involve more direct correction, explanation and the introduction of new vocab. Much more of a taught experience, but a very communicative and focused one for the learner.

I think this second type of EOT learning scenario could be a way in which EL teachers could charge for their time pretty much like they would for an input session or a conversation lesson. It is a conversation lesson but with a strong underlying pedagogic focus.

So nine months after we last spoke Waldek got in touch and sent me a lovely message saying the English club was still going and that he thought the 15 EOT lessons he and I did were 'an amazing experience'. It's really great to know he still feels that way.

Waldek asked me to talk to a new learner at the group (run on the library wifi in Pabianice) and I said 'ok'.

I was also really interested in hearing Waldek speak again. See if you can hear any change (decline) in his speaking and listening skills since our last skype session?

I talked with Michael his new member and explained how EOT works. Then had a quick chat with Andrew and then back with Waldy to see what he has been up to and say bye bye for now.

The second half of the call with Waldy and his members in Pabianice.

I was contacted by a post-graduate student at City University, London, who wrote:

"Hi there!

I am fascinated by the methodology you use to teach English, I have seen nothing like it! I am at the moment writing down my dissertation on ELT eproducts and the methodology used behind it and I was wondering if I could talk to anyone in this organization. I would love to have the opportunity to have someone explain to me your methods!

Looking forward to hearing back from you,
All the best,

Alana"

The topic of the interview went from methods to marketing or simply how students and teachers can interact with English Out There advantageously.

More to come...

In this 14 minute recording Alana asks me what EOT does for English learners and where I think it fits in with other English courses and online English programs.

We then discuss the course claims of some other language teaching companies and compare them.

Then we we move onto the psychology of learning to speak a second language, how adults are more self-conscious than children and how this affects their ability to speak.

This part of our discussion ends with a section on the nature of 'free' content and materials online, where English Out There fits in and also an explanation of the psychology behind 'social DRM'.

I hope you enjoy listening. Part 3 coming soon.

Cheers

Jason

Social DRM, copyright and online marketing

Finally, part 3 and very very soon to be followed by part 4...the interview from the summer with Alana the friendly post-grad from City University who wanted to know all about English Out There and our business model.

The Rip Off

The end of the interview is in sight...no reflection on Alana, who was a joy to talk to, but a reflection on my tardiness in getting this online.

Therese is German and is staying in Weymouth so she can do the EOT speaking tasks face-to-face with members of the public.

She is 17 and very shy although her English is around intermediate (B2) level. By her own admission she finds it difficult to speak to strangers and when I told her what we were going to do (i.e. study some language then she was going to speak to some complete strangers) she cried, which is the first time that has happened to me!

Anyway, you can hear her first speaking practice session from lesson one here. She self-studied the target language using the worksheets, clarified just a couple of word meanings with me and then we did the Out There Task speaking practice together. She didn't read the instructions for the task carefully enough and we had to stop for her to write five questions down

After she'd done the speaking task for the first time with me I took her out to the seafront where there are always people sitting looking at the sea doing nothing (a great resource!). Again to ease her in I approached the first person, an elderly lady, told her I was an English teacher and would she mind having a practice chat with my student (Therese). She was fine and they did the Out There task together.

I told Therese she had to do the next intro herself and use the 'magic words' clearly and SMILE at the same time!

She chose an old guy sitting on a deck chair on the beach by a beach hut. She did it and had a conversation with a complete stranger!

I had to go and get Fred from pre-school so we stopped there for the day but my mum told me that when I was out Therese was excited and told her "I've just spoken to some complete strangers!"

More to come....she's going to do a couple more Out There tasks for lesson one to get some repetition and will then move on to lesson two.

Here Therese does her first Out There Task (speaking practice task) from lesson 4 with my mother who has been staying with us in Weymouth.

The lesson was on technology and possibilities (modals of probability, possibility and certainty).

Following this conversation Therese went out to the seafront to repeat the task with some members of the public. She took the voice recorder with her and asked them if she could record. On that day everyone said 'No', which is fine.

There are some more recordings of Out There Tasks done with members of the public coming up...we don't publish names or any personal details, just anonymous voices and we also ask permission first.

Therese has heard a great cross-section of accents so far. My mother is from the Home Counties (so she sounds a bit posh), there is a lady from Yorkshire and gentlemen from Dorset and Wales.

I have also introduced Therese to my 'Give Your English Out There' closed group on Facebook so she can get some online speaking practice if she wants. The group is where I introduce my volunteer English Speaking Philanthropists (ELPers) to my students. They swap Skype or IM ids and then make friends and do the Out There speaking tasks together.

Lesson six is about the past of a town or city and aims to get learners hearing and using the past simple passive.

Therese took the recording device out onto the seafront and this time some people agreed to be recorded, which was great. There are three recordings for this lesson. This person was from Dorset and has a Dorset accent.

Lesson six is about the past of a town or city and aims to get the learner hearing and speaking using the past simple passive.

This lady kindly agreed to be recorded doing the speaking practice with Therese on the seafront in Weymouth. She comes from Yorkshire and has a Yorkshire accent.

Lesson six is about the past of a town or city and aims to get learners hearing and using the past simple passive.

Therese took the recording device out onto the seafront and this time some people agreed to be recorded, which was great. There are three recordings for this lesson. This person was from Wales and has a Welsh accent.

Listen to all three recordings from this lesson and see if you can tell what order Therese spoke to them in?

What we consider beauty - Adjectives to describe appearance

Halfway through the SS4 intermediate course. This lesson is Therese is doing well. This is how we work:

1. I go to my office, boot my computer and then print off the worksheets for that day's lesson and give them to Therese. I also send her the listening MP3s for the lesson.

2. Therese sits down with a pen and a dictionary and completes the exercises on the worksheets and listens to the MP3s on her laptop.

3. She then goes out into Weymouth to find some people to do the Out There task with. She usually speaks to about four different people...complete strangers.

4. When we see each other at lunchtime or later in the afternoon I always ask what happened and if it went OK. This is usually a very brief conversation.

5. Sometimes, like in the case of lesson 10, she does the Out There task with me whilst we have lunch and we record it. So I am just another person she does the practice session with. I don't teach, just chat and sometimes gently correct.

Firstly, before anyone points it out, apparently you can spell it both ways...'queuing' and 'queueing', I just happen to prefer the former (which is I think the US version, I never get to fussed about UK or US spellings either, it is all just English

This is Therese talking to me about the above topic. It is an interesting one and I enter into delicate territory by introducing the idea that some people don't heed the queue...

Sleep & Dreams - Connectors, vocabulary relating to dreams

This last lesson in SS4 intermediate always generates good discussion and shows what a student is really capable of in terms of communication.

Therese has spoken about dreams with three members of the public in the morning and we sat down to lunch and recorded our discussion.

I have to say that, in my opinion, this was Therese's best speaking practice session with me yet. She was responding faster, offering up more information about her own thoughts on the topic (I call it 'trading'...I give you something you respond...it is what a good conversation is all about) and generally speaking well. I told her afterwards and she seemed quite chuffed and smiled, which was great to see.

It's funny that this is the last lesson in the course! I have to say I have been impressed with how Therese has got on with the lessons and gone out and done the speaking practice. Good work Therese!

I asked her to briefly summarise her thoughts about the course and this is what she wrote:

"First it is great fun to do the task, and the listening task improves that you listen carefully to conversation.

Second if you talk to stranger, first it is strange, but you'll improve your self confidence.

Third you share your opinion and learn vocabulary you didn't know before."

I couldn't have put it better myself! Thanks Therese.

This is a classic example of a Chinese English learner, Amy, who has been contacting me from time to time using Skype.

We had never spoken before and only sent a few short text messages.

Amy called me to do some speaking practice without any warning.

I thought, "Okay, let's see how she does", and picked up the call and recorded it.

Have a listen. I had a strong feeling that this would happen.

The ONLY way to make online speaking practice easy, effective and part of a structured course is to use English Out There ebook courses.

Amy very kindly gave me permission to use this recording.

Kristyna is one of Nina's latest students (http://www.facebook.com/EnglishBrnoCZ)She called me for a 10 minute Out There task on shopping. It was great fun and she did really well! Have a listen.

This is the second time Alicja texted me and asked me to help her practise. I had a few minutes so I said 'ok'. She had done a lesson on sport and we had a very pleasant chat and I typed out some words and phrases that she didn't know in the chat box.

There was a second recording afterwards for just 2 mins in which she said she was doing well and had some English speaking friends (ELPers - English Speaking Philathropists) who are very talkative, which is great for her and her English!

Alicja posted her first conversation with me into the 39 Facebook group and said she will post this one too.

This is Justin's first speaking session after doing an EOT lesson as part of the experiment. He did really well and as he admits himself, needs to work on his pronunciation. Downloading this audio clip and listening to it on his MP3 player should help him.

We spoke for more than 15 minutes but most of the speaking practice from the lesson is in this clip. The rest was a discussion about EOT and how it works and what learners in China are like. I will try to post it later if anyone is interested.

This is not a lesson speaking practice session as Marilyn called me to apologise for being slow to respond to messages. I forgave her (of course) and explained how the system works using Skype and Facebook. It was useful to listen to her speak and get a recording for the files

This is Manish's first EOT practice session using Skype. I missed the start of the call but he was fantastic, followed instructions perfectly and used all the right words to introduce himself.

Understandably he was a tad nervous and that showed in his speech but he loosened up really fast and I could hear his confidence and fluency grow during just this call.

Well done Manish! Now meet some more ELPers and do it again...

I feel happier today (29/03) after a slow start people are starting to complete lessons and call me to do their first speaking sessions. It has taken longer than I expected but I don't think that is a bad thing at all. I'm hoping that once they have done this and met a few more ELPers and spoken to them they will get into a bit of a rhythm. It is a bit like riding a bike, strange at the start and a bit nerve-wracking but second nature once you get your balance.

This is Alicja's first EOT practice session and she did really really well. We talked about where we live and what kind of things we like doing and covered some useful new language and pronunciation, here is the skype chat history from our session:

[13:16:41] Alicja Sloma: Hi. How are you? Wouldn't you mind If I call you?
[13:25:23] EnglishOutThere: Hi there, I'm good thanks...have you done a lesson Alicja?
[13:25:27] Alicja Sloma: Alicja Sloma is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[13:29:46] Alicja Sloma: Yes, I did it
[13:30:12] EnglishOutThere: Ok, cool, you can call me...have you got Pamela ready to record?
[13:32:32] Alicja Sloma: I had installed pamela and checked how it works. Should be ok..
[13:32:50] EnglishOutThere: Good. Ok let's do it
[13:32:59] *** Call from Alicja Sloma ***
[13:37:19] EnglishOutThere: rural
[13:40:17] EnglishOutThere: big battle
[13:40:23] EnglishOutThere: english civil war
[13:41:34] EnglishOutThere: mulburry
[13:41:52] EnglishOutThere: mulberry
[13:41:57] EnglishOutThere: harbours
[13:42:01] EnglishOutThere: Portland
[13:42:22] EnglishOutThere: weymouth
[13:47:28] *** Call ended, duration 14:27 ***

Iveta is a highly experienced interpreter, translator and teacher of English. She wants to learn how to use EOT to help her students in Latvia and possibly start a small EOT operation of her own (this is my aim, to help her do that).

Have a listen to us discuss music - from the Advanced SS6 course, lesson 1.

We had a long conversation as it was our first and we have been in touch for some time. There is more audio and if you would like to hear it send me a message.

Cheers

Jason

This is Adriane's first EOT speaking practise session, with me.

This is where I am going to try and keep any audio I make to with the Facebook experiment that is now underway. Exciting.

Just had the first learner (Julio) finish a lesson and then do his first EOT speaking practice session with me (to help him know how it works exactly).

The second part of my first recording with Justin.

Here is our Skype chat history from the call:

[10:33:34] Jason West: Hi Chinese doctor ****** I’d like to add you on Skype. Jason West
[10:34:03] Chinese doctor ******: Chinese doctor ****** has shared contact details with Jason West.
[10:34:13] Chinese doctor ******: Hi.Jason
[10:34:14] Jason West: Jason West is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[10:34:28] Jason West: Hi there!
[10:34:40] Chinese doctor ******: plz call me Justin
[10:34:47] Jason West: Ok, will do!
[10:34:48] Chinese doctor ******: ****** is my surname.
[10:35:27] Justin ******: So what is the thing like?
[10:35:38] Jason West: Ok, cool, I know it can vary how Chinese people westernize their names...I need a Chinese name!
[10:35:50] Justin ******: I've already added the teacher you introduced to me
[10:35:52] Justin ******: hehe
[10:35:55] Justin ******: good for you
[10:36:04] Jason West: Ok, Anita has responded?
[10:36:15] Justin ******: wanna a suggestion about CHines name from me?
[10:36:17] Justin ******: not yet
[10:36:20] Justin ******: I just added her.
[10:36:27] Jason West: Ok yeah, go on...
[10:36:46] Justin ******: 韦杰森
[10:37:04] Jason West: Ah, I need to load Chinese characters...
[10:37:10] Justin ******: with similar pronunciation
[10:37:11] Jason West: I just got boxes
[10:37:16] Justin ******: okay.
[10:37:51] Jason West: Thanks, i will check later. So how is your English speaking?
[10:38:47] Justin ******: I won't say bad , but really not good .
[10:39:02] Justin ******: though I have to get 7 in IELTS speaking
[10:39:04] Jason West: On a scale of 1 to 10?
[10:39:16] Justin ******: Time for lunch. ttyl OK?
[10:39:24] Justin ******: 6 I suppose.
[10:39:27] Jason West: Ok...
[10:39:42] Jason West: so not a beginner speaker....
[10:39:52] Justin ******: dinner .sorry
[10:40:07] Jason West: You have lunch and we can have a conversation next time...
[10:40:15] Jason West: oh yeah, dinner..time dif
[10:58:27] Justin ******: Hey .Jason .I am back. Are you free now.
[11:00:45] Jason West: Ok, just a quick chat..things to do that I have avoided for too long
[11:00:49] Jason West: Ready?
[11:01:14] Justin ******: Sure
[11:01:37] *** Call to Justin ****** ***
[11:03:19] Jason West: hunan
[11:03:26] Jason West: guandong
[11:16:53] *** Call ended, duration 15:16 ***
[11:16:59] *** Call from Justin ****** ***
[11:24:59] Jason West: ripped off
[11:29:33] *** Call ended, duration 12:34 ***
[11:30:07] Justin ******: Thanks. So I will get a record of this talk from you ?
[11:30:37] Jason West: Yes, i will post it on my FB page, if you are okay with that?
[11:31:52] Justin ******: No problem. But I suppose you could probably miss a lot of Chinese English-learners coz FB is blocked in China. I am not sure you know it .
[11:33:26] Jason West: Yes, I know it is blocked. I have a QQ account but have not spent much time on there yet. There are lots of other social networks where you can join for free and meet English speakers...such as italki.com, I have a list and I will send it to you and Anita, but she has a list too.
[11:33:54] Justin ******: OK.Thanks.
[11:34:16] Jason West: No prob, nice talking with you...speak soon.
[11:34:25] Justin ******: yeah. ttyl
[11:34:35] Jason West: Bye
[11:34:43] Justin ******: bye for now

This is my first conversation with Justin, a doctor in Hunan province.

In it we discuss how long he has learned English for and the methods he used, mainly self-study for 10 years. He wants to improve his writing and speaking skills and wants to achieve IELTS 7 so that he can go and train to be a surgeon in Australia.

I explain a bit about English Out There and how it works. I also explain why it works so well with Asian learners.

Hopefully I will be able to place Justin with a trainee EOT teacher and we can do a full audio case study for you to listen to.

Listen to part 2 of this conversation now so you get a good idea of what Justin's spoken English sounded this first time.

This is my colleague Jon and Belinda, a Chinese student, doing the Out There bit online using Skype. Listen to how things progress and see if you think Belinda learnt anything...click on DOWNLOAD to listen to them doing the lesson.

This is Kate, a student at International House Madrid on her fourth ever Spanish lesson. We prepared her to go Out There and use the Spanish she'd just been taught on some locals by the Palacio Real. A really dodgy start but as she gets going and talks to more people, you can hear her improving, gaining confidence and learning. It is amazing and fun.

Download this and save it and listen two or three times (put it on your ipod and listen on the plane!).

Short version

This is Osama from Saudi Arabia in his first conversation with me on Skype (and who happens to be Shiny Eyes' twin brother, I had no idea when I selected them for this project).

This is Osama's first proper Out There Task speaking practice session. Lesson 1 in elementary is about personal details and he did really well.

I thought I'd lost him and his twin, Shiny Eyes (Jafer) as I'd not heard from them for a week but it turned out that they had had internet connection trouble and it was now all sorted.

I think we might be in for some speaking session in the next week or so

Keep up the good work Osama!

Osama is doing well, this was a tircky lesson for a number of reasons, not least because I had drilling going on by my office and I am a little deaf anyway! Also, there were some images I needed to see to interact as his practice partner and he needed to send me the PDF with the images in before the lesson (no doubt the fault of our instructions not being in Arabic).

But, we got there, and had a good session I think. What this lesson demonstrated for me was that going off the lesson plan language, as Osamadid with one question, can be problematic at this level. He asked me 'what is your ideal man?' and to someone of my background and age that is a bit of a non-question because unless we were gay we might find it a bit odd Then when I asked him to explain he said 'fat or slim'...which again is not a pair of preferences that I found very easy to comment upon.

Once we got back to the language he had worked with in the lesson we were fine....I have learned from this lesson too, which is great. I have learned that the prepared language is vital for coherent conversation as it enables the learner to be understood and to form ideas and questions that their partner can understand and work with. Going 'off piste' at this stage can cause communication problems for both partners.

Osama had prepared for both of these lesson, which shows he is motivated and wants to do more, which is great.

Lesson 3 on directions incolved him sending me the 'Copy Kit' PDF he downloaded as part of the pack. In it is a map of a town centre and we both could see it. We used it to give each other directions. Some useful vocab came up as we went and I think he found it difficult but managed some complete sets of directions. More practice withother speaking partners is required.

Lesson 4 on describing rooms using prepositions of place went pretty well too...Osama wrote his description of his lounge and read it out to me and it was fine. Then he did a very good instant description of his bedroom. Then we got stuck on what was on his dressing table! It took a while to workout what it was and we had a a bit of laugh doing it, but do listen to the end because you will hear how we used Google Translate and then Google Images to finally name the mystery object in English. Great fun and well done Osama. Now you just need to get that recording device working!!!

This is Shiny Eyes (Jafer) from Saudi Arabia in his first conversation with me on Skype.

After seeming to lose him and his twin brother for a week (dodgy internet connection it turns out) Shiny is back and in good form for his first proper EOT speaking task with me.

Lesson 1 in Pre-int is about moving to another country and Shiny did really well in our conversation and it was fun.

At the end he asked me a question about the next lesson, which was great.

Well done Shiny!

This is actually lesson 3 in the EOT course...Shiny is preparing lesson two as it uses recipes...maybe he is going to cook something!

He's improving already! Have a listen...this lesson uses future forms and he did really well.

This is actually lesson 2, Shiny switched them around a bit...this is also a short session because I was being pulled in all directions that day with work things. However, it goes OK and we complete the task pretty well. Shiny's confidence is growing I think.

This is Liliana from Colombia talking to me for the first time on Skype.

This was Liliana's first proper EOT speaking practice session. She'd asked me some questions in the FB teaching group about the lesson, just to confirm some things as she worked on it, which was cool.

She was a bit nervous at the start, which was totally understandable considering she is a self-confessed nervous speaker, and she did extremely well in the conversation. There was a lot of good stuff in there and she loosened up as we went.

I gave her a lot of time (40+ mins) and full answers to relax her and get some flow. At the end I explained how she would probably best approach her conversations with other practice partners. She has made friends with English speakers in Exeter (near me in the UK) and Dublin (Ireland, good another accent!) and her uncle lives in the US and speaks English...but she will keep sending out a few invitations (using words from the Social Media Tools) every day to keep building up her Personal English Learning Network (PELN).

All in all...a great start by Liliana.

Liliana and I get on really well and have a laugh talking about sport and then at the end we get onto some support stuff, about the other EOT speaking practice she is doing and some difficulties with the MP3 recorder (it plays up with me too sometimes).

Liliana is becoming more confident and trying new words and structures out, which is great.

Again this was a long conversation...and I feel that I should cut her back to 15/20 mins like the other guys but she is good at keeping me going

Liliana has not got internet access at home because she is changing her internet provider to get a better connection (so she can talk more and the poor connection interfered with the MP3 recorder, it kept stopping due to a weak connection).

So...this was a long long session because I wanted her to get some practice and stay motivated.

We had a great chat and she asked the questions really well and responded to my questions really well. Lots of new vocab came up too.

Our first session after the Christmas/New year break...Liliana has new broadband which seemed to work fin but her laptop cut us off in the middle once or two...I had limited time to talk too (which is good for her discipline when she talks to other people...remember don't talk too long and always be the first to say 'goodbye', it builds trust).

As usual we had a great chat and a few laughs. Liliana brought up the idea that she felt she had already improved her English communication skills, just four lessons into the course, which is great that she feels that way. I think she is right and I want to make sure she keeps working and speaking to other English speakers...and now recording and listening to herself speak with others because that should really add to the improvement in her English.

This is the main clip of 23 mins in length, it is not the start, we are in the middle of our session here.

This was fun and I was a bit surpised by the way Liliana approached the speaking task...she asked me to take part in a role play and ignored the task as it was written in the lesson. That's fine! If Liliana (or you) want to get the speaking going in a different way just make sure your task covers all of the language in the lesson. Liliana's was a bit clunky (awkward) at the start (but amusing for both of us) and got going into some useful and relevant language practice. Before you change the speaking task plan your new one carefully. Someone less used to doing this kind of conversation (i.e. a non-teacher) might have struggled with Liliana's task and then the lesson wouldn't have worked so well, and maybe not at all.

The connection broke so we have two recordings but I will post just the first one here so you can hear the way I reacted to Liliana's creative task.

Wow! Long one...but it was very enjoyable despite my tiredness (I worked late last night) and Liliana was very motivated by the topic of the lesson, so much that she talked about re-reading Colombian history as a result of the lesson. It made her think, which is great.

There's a lot of pronunciation correction and spelling in this session...we have decided that she needs a bit more correction and she is happy to receive it. So that's fine. Here's the skype text chat history for you to follow if you listen and so you can see how we worked and you can even look at the images we talked about when we discussed the artists and their style of painting when we were on famous people from our cities:

[19:20:54] EnglishOutThere: 1280
[19:21:15] LILIANA: 1538
[19:23:53] EnglishOutThere: Black Death
[19:28:21] EnglishOutThere: cobbled
[19:28:56] EnglishOutThere: terraces
[19:31:38] LILIANA: Mayor -Major
[19:34:03] LILIANA: Chairman
[19:35:12] EnglishOutThere: chhh-air
[19:35:22] EnglishOutThere: man
[19:36:24] LILIANA: Nueva Granada
[19:40:21] EnglishOutThere: ancestors,
[19:40:47] LILIANA: Criolle
[19:40:59] EnglishOutThere: CReole
[19:48:24] EnglishOutThere: stratford-upon-avon
[19:48:42] EnglishOutThere: Samual Pepys
[19:50:59] LILIANA: Fernando Botero
[19:56:09] EnglishOutThere: https://www.google.com/search?q=beryl+cook&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=nQW&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ja4hT7mfJYvXsgaJmMX-Bw&ved=0CIMBELAE&biw=1280&bih=857
[19:57:13] EnglishOutThere: https://www.google.com/search?q=Fernando+Botero&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=miB&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5a0hT47NAofLtAb_yPj9Bw&ved=0CFEQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=857
[19:57:49] EnglishOutThere: Beryl Cook
[20:00:22] EnglishOutThere: Lith-you-ania
[20:00:44] EnglishOutThere: Lithuania
[20:01:42] EnglishOutThere: pedagogic
[20:02:08] EnglishOutThere: strategies
[20:09:32] EnglishOutThere: make the tea
[20:18:48] EnglishOutThere: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771
[20:24:13] EnglishOutThere: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smokin-David-Olympics-Ending-ebook/dp/B0071QHXKG/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1
[20:25:46] *** Call ended, duration 1:15:21 ***

Ha! This is an interesting session, not least because Liliana and I ran into a bit of an issue. Towards the end of the session (2nd recording used here, we got cut off once) she asks me to explain the present perfect tense and I refused.

Why? Well, listen to the clip for more detail but the basis is that EOT speaking practice sessions are not meant to be for explicit 'conventional' teaching, i.e. explanations of rules. Liliana admitted she had had some doubt in her mind and talked to one of her practice partners who told her something that conflicted with what she thought she understood, and then she wanted confirmation/explanation from me.

Why did I react that way? The history of language teaching has been about teaching rules and applying them but it hasn't really worked. That's why in a TESL Canada survey 95% of beginners dropped out of ESL programmes and never got past being beginners and 75% of intermediate speakers suffered the same fate. The language came before the rules; the printing press did not precede the telling of stories.

Focusing on rules (that have many exceptions due the nature of language) causes anxiety and anxiety inhibits fluency and confidence.

If I had explained to Liliana I would have been telling her it was OK to rely on a 'teacher' to help her speak English. In stead, I told her to go and read up in Spanish to get it clear in her head, then to try it out with someone (which is what the EOT lesson 7. in SS4 Intermediate does).

I think Liliana understood why I took this position when she asked me and seemed to agree that it was a retrograde step in what we were trying to achieve. I hope it has made her think and that some of my words hit home.

Apart from that Liliana's performance in terms of fluency and confidence were excellent, and, most importantly, I thought I could hear that the more explicit pronunciation correction of the last couple of weeks has had an effect and she is pronouncing words much better. Well done Liliana!

Liliana had some connection troubles so this is the second MP3 of four..but it includes her speaking about memorable events in her past and then I talk about one of mine...shame about the tech/headset thing but you can hear everything OK in this recording until it stops.

Liliana is improving, still some accuracy issues but she'll get there I am sure...I'm looking forward to lesson 10 when I will do a 'before and after' edit show her how far she has come.

Liliana was on good form. We had another long session 9I want to keep them shorter to be like most speaking sessions, but she is very good at getting me talking, she claims this is because she is Colombian!).

Liliana described some parts of Bogota and the tings that go on there, focusing on food and nightlife. I learned about a typical Colombian stew.

The she asked me questions about where I live. We looked at a map of Weymouth on Google maps as we talked.

I listened specifically to Liliana's accuracy and pronunciation and she is really making progress and improving. I noticed that she is monitoring what she says much more before she says it and I could hear her correct herself a few times. She's slowed down a little bit but the fluency is still there. Great work!

Well, this was a bit of a grilling for me! I think Liliana was a bit surprised by my attitudes to casual sex when single and marriage and relationships. Which all came out of the topic and the tasks in the lesson.

We learnt a lot about each other and it was fun (we always have a laugh). In terms of Liliana's language development I think it was good. I hardly corrected at all because I wanted to listen her confidence, fluency and accuracy.

There are still some habitual mistakes and pronunciation errors but she is using her internal monitor much more now and is speaking a little slower but more accurately and more fluently than she did just 10 lessons ago when we started.

For someone who came to me from the Facebook group I started for people who, after years of trying to learn English, still felt that they couldn't speak English comfortably enough to use it at work Liliana has done really very well. She doesn't need me anymore to keep improving. I might ask her if she thinks she could work in English now, that's the real test!

Here's the group, please join if you feel like you'll never be able to speak English comfortably:  

I think Liliana was a bit surprised by my attitudes to casual sex when single and marriage and relationships. Which all came out of the topic and the tasks in the lesson. We learnt a lot about each other and it was fun (we always have a laugh). In terms of Liliana's language development I think it was good. I hardly corrected at all because I wanted to listen her confidence, fluency and accuracy. There are still some habitual mistakes and pronunciation errors but she is using her internal monitor much more now and is speaking a little slower but more accurately and more fluently than she did just 10 lessons ago when we started. For someone who came to me from the Facebook group I started for people who, after years of trying to learn English, still felt that they couldn't speak English comfortably Liliana has done really very well. She doesn't need me anymore to keep improving. Here's the group, please join if you feel like you'll never be able to speak English comfortably: http:/www.facebook.com/groups/icantspeakenglish/ I am now going to listen to our first conversation and this session to compare them and maybe create a before and after clip to show her how much she has improved." target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/groups/icantspeakenglish/

I am now going to listen to our first conversation and this session to compare them and maybe create a before and after clip to show her how much she has improved.

This recording does not have any language from lesson 11 in it! I edited the audio and am just posting our extended conversation about Liliana's English learning history (the time she has studied and the courses she has taken).

I found it very interesting to learn about this. She has done a lot of courses, from primary school, secondary school, British Council courses, free Colombian state courses (SENA)etc. About 20 years of study.

Listen to her explain what she thinks of the courses she has done and why they didn't work for her. It is very interesting (sadly) and very typical of the experiences of millions and millions of frustrated English learners around the world.

This is a long one, I think Liliana helped me to get some frustration out, so it was reverse therapy tonight! She started asking me the questions from the lesson and we got sidetracked into the global ELT industry, English courses that don't work (i.e. the majority) and it was fascinating to hear Liliana's testimony to that fact and further explanations. Her story is THE story of many millions of frustrated English learners all over the world.

Here's the chat history, with the link to the TESL Canada research that says all ESL programs are officially rubbish!

Managing Director
[20:03:38] EnglishOutThere: Founder
[20:07:13] EnglishOutThere: swimming against the tide
[20:11:38] EnglishOutThere: "In short, educational outcomes measured by way of dropout, failure, and low achievement on standardized tests all suggest that for some reason ESL learners do not benefit from ESL programming." The Canadian Modern Language Review/La Revue canadienne des langues vivantes,
60, 5, 2004 http://utpjournals.metapress.com/content/g2k0m11468737564/?p=c12c2358b49c418d83253290f77345e4&pi=2
[20:35:25] EnglishOutThere: http://www.alljoinon.com/
[20:43:20] EnglishOutThere: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/
[20:46:33] EnglishOutThere: bouncy castle
[20:47:06] EnglishOutThere: inflatable castle
[20:47:26] EnglishOutThere: dwarf
[20:55:56] EnglishOutThere: lovely wee cunt
[20:59:05] EnglishOutThere: https://audioboo.fm/boos/177119-teaching-english-with-the-aid-of-the-f-word-an-indian-school-teacher-explains

We finished with the rest of the questions and some gratuitous swearing including use of the C-word

The weather...great topic for me at the moment, Scotland has been experiencing 20C+ this week and they all think it is the end of the world because for more than two consecutive days a big orange ball has been the sky.

It's unseasonally warm where I live too, but I'm not complaining!

We had to be quicker than normal because I had to cook dinner but this is kind of normal EOT practice session length. The more short sessions with a some free flowing conversation on other topics at the end, the better. You need some repetition to get your brain noticing those patterns.

Liliana told me about Bogota's weather and how it makes her feel too...so a successful session all round

Well done Liliana (she says she feels she is not speaking well, and she had not practised with her other partners for a while because of computer problems but she was actually fairly fluent, fewer pauses...). Keep on talking now you have the computer audio fixed!

Liliana and I talk about things that surprised us or troubled us in the past. She 'lost' a watch in dubious surroundings and I had a bike nicked from under my nose.

Good work Lilian, you spoke a lot today!

Springsteen fan Liliana tells me why she loves Born in the USA the album and the song by The Boss. Then I explain (badly) why probably my favourite artist is (or was, I have lots now) Frank Zappa!

An enjoyable and fairly short conversation in which Liliana manages to twig that I think she's reading and tells me she is not reading before I even ask! Impressive eh?

Well done Liliana, you seem to be speeding up a little now

Liliana's favourite Colombian dish is Ajiaco and she tells me what ingredients i need and how to cook it.

I tell her how to cook roast leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary, minted new potatoes and spring greens (v British!).

Then we talked about a Russian English teacher whose group Liliana has attended online who said she listens to this podcast. It seems quite a few people have started listening to us, which is great...HELLO OUT THERE!

Send us some feedback, please.

Chat history:

Ajiaco
[17:58:16] EnglishOutThere: EnglishOutThere is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[17:59:19] LILIANA: Ajiacxo
[17:59:22] LILIANA: Ajiaco
[18:02:55] LILIANA: criolla potatoes
[18:04:22] LILIANA: Guascas
[18:04:56] *** LILIANA sent Guascas.jpg ***
[18:13:21] LILIANA: Yogurt
[18:13:22] EnglishOutThere: EnglishOutThere is away. This is an auto-reply message.
[18:13:47] *** LILIANA sent Ajiaco.jpg ***
[18:16:28] LILIANA: parslev
[18:19:35] EnglishOutThere: rosemary
[18:20:56] EnglishOutThere: moist
[18:21:54] EnglishOutThere: spring greens
[18:22:16] EnglishOutThere: iron
[18:23:04] EnglishOutThere: mint
[18:23:15] EnglishOutThere: mint sauce
[18:23:32] EnglishOutThere: pestle and mortar
[18:23:52] EnglishOutThere: grind
[18:25:57] EnglishOutThere: http://www.cookipedia.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Jamie_Oliver%27s_4_hour_slow_roast_lamb
[18:27:45] LILIANA: Sol Nadia

I got a bit bored at the end as Liliana kept talking about how wonderful Paul McCartney was for an 80 year old! (he's actually 70 this year)

This was a good chat actually...we did the language from the lesson and veered off on a few tangents taking in accents, travel, food and, of course, foul language or swearing.

It was fun (until the Macca thing Have a listen.

Ah, the old queuing lesson, it might need to be updated a bit for the uber-digital age but it still makes sense and produces a good conversation.

Liliana is really coming on very well now, the rhythm is there now too

We had a laugh and at the end it was great to listen to her thoughts about EOT and how it had affected her.

Two more lessons to go!

Well this session turned into quite an intimate conversation with both us talking openly about some about health issues we had (and still have). Health is something lots of people don't like to talk about in detail or even face up to. Life (and living) can be challenging but it is better to share our thoughts and fears than to keep them to ourselves.

The conversation here starts 10 minutes in...

This was a great topic and we shared some of our dream experiences with each other...and some very serious and sad topics came up. Life can be terribly tragic sometimes, for no good reason.

Well, that's it, the end of the course and I now need to create a before and after podcast of Liliana to put on here and post around the web. I think it will show that she has finally conquered her fear of speaking English and become comfortable speaking it.

Well done Liliana, you worked hard and you followed the process really well! Our conversations were always warm, often a lot of fun, interesting and quite personally revealing; just like real friends having a chat. Which, I think, is what we now are.

I'm so glad Liliana has created her own personal English learning network online and has experienced more conversation partners than just me. It shows in the confidence she now has when she speaks. Thanks Liliana for joining my Facebook group that I created to find you (http://www.facebook.com/groups/icantspeakenglish), a person who had spent years paying for and studying on numerous English courses but felt that they would never improve and never become a comfortable speaker of English. We did it! And I am sure we will stay in touch.

Do you teach English in Japan and find that your students simply make no progress with their speaking skills, no matter what you try? Do you want to finally help them to speak more comfortably and at the same time have a break from them?

Shannon, a native New Yorker, went to Japan twenty years ago to teach English and stayed. She now wants to teach slightly differently, using technology. She also wants to help break the standard ESL cycle of failure when it comes to speaking English.

We had a great time chatting and Shannon asked some really good questions about how to use EOT, why it works and how it might help her to do what she wants to do as a teacher who feels strongly about the success of her students.

Things that came up in conversation: ways to teach EOT, tech platforms to use (e.g. www.wiziq.com/EnglishOutThere), and systems to instigate to make English teaching more enjoyable, manageable and less synchronous online.

We even got to discuss why ESL doesn't actually help people to speak English, and I quote some research that I have been reading that proves it. We concluded with a light-hearted discussion of the potential of chemically enhanced language learning!

Have a listen and then post a comment or contact me if you are interested and have any more questions.

This was a fun chat with English teacher Tanya in the Ukraine. She asked some really good questions about the way I talk with learners on Skype when they do the first speaking practice from each lesson with me.

Tanya especially picked up on the way I try to do correction. I explained that it is about listening and facilitating understanding in the conversational process. Helping learners to make the connections themselves. Have a listen...

Simon contacted me very enthusiastically a week or so ago. He lives in France and have been teaching in the state education system.

We had a great chat about how English is taught there (pretty much like everywhere else it turns out) and how so many people still can't speak comfortably after years of English courses.

I explained to him about creating his own 'before and after' audio and video clips of students that will show people how he can help them when he distributes them online using social media to promote his services (both internationally and locally).

Harim is in Casablanca! He teaches English in state high school amd in a private English school. He has 20 years experience and saw me present at CO12 (online education conference). The questions he asked were great and different from other teachers...because he's planning to start his own English school in Casablanca! Go for it Harim, do something amazing for your students using technology, affordable, effective and profitable classes for everyone!

Here's the chat history from our conversation:

Thanks! One min..
[20:42:55] Jason West: Ok, sorry, you ready..?
[20:43:13] Teacher Harim: yes
[20:43:34] *** Call to Teacher Harim, duration 10:54. ***
[20:54:41] *** Call to Teacher Harim ***
[21:01:42] Jason West: http://englishoutthere.com
[21:08:58] Jason West: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-15T04_13_30-07_00
[21:09:09] Jason West: That's someone who called me
[21:12:56] Jason West: Google+ Hangouts
[21:13:25] Jason West: www.wiziq.com
[21:14:42] Jason West: http://education.skype.com
[21:15:00] Jason West: language exchange
[21:16:11] Jason West: www.edmodo.com
[21:17:25] Jason West: www.audacity.com
[21:18:37] Jason West: http://englishoutthere.com/teach-english-with-english-out-there
[21:24:47] *** Call ended, duration 30:06 ***
[21:24:57] *** Call to Teacher Harim, duration 02:00. ***

Have a listen!

Cheers

Jason

This learner has sent me a contact request on Skype to: EnglishOutThere I have accepted it and she has just called me without any introductory text message. I rarely answer these calls but I picked this one up to see what happened and to provide a podcast FAQ.

Have a listen.

Then the learner texted me:

Hi englishoutthere! I’d like to add you on Skype. Suzi xxxx
[09:53:08] EnglishOutThere: EnglishOutThere has shared contact details with Suzi xxxx.
[09:53:39] *** Call from Suzi xxxx ***
[09:56:01] EnglishOutThere: http://englishoutthere.com/learn-to-speak-english-fast
[09:57:08] EnglishOutThere: Jason
[09:57:42] *** Call ended, duration 04:04 ***
[10:03:05] Suzi xxxx: u have cam
[10:06:19] EnglishOutThere: I do, yes
[10:11:55] Suzi xxxx: if u r free u talk me 30 mintues
[10:13:19] EnglishOutThere: 1. I am not free 2. I do not just 'talk' 3. Your approach will not work with other English speakers you need a strategy and to prepare before you try to speak to people. That is how I help people. I have to work now, thanks.

There are probably millions of motivated learners doing this and annoying initially friendly English speakers. It doesn't have to be like this and EOT will help you to prepare properly to build your own long-term practice partner network for free and prepare you properly to speak to your practice partners for maximum effectiveness and improvement.

If you have any questions, text or email me first, and I will explain more.

Skype: EnglishOutThere
email: jason_at_englishoutthere.com

Nina EnglishBrno who uses EOT with her students just texted me and added me to a call on Skype with one of her students, Sabrina from France. Sabrina said she is quite shy and that she was worried about contacting 'lots' of people on social platforms to ask them to help her to practise her speaking skills as part of her EOT lessons. If you want to know how many partners you need to find and how you should organise and develop your relationships with them. Listen to this clip it will explain. Listen and then read the answer below to see if you understood...

Answer: Use the 'Social Media Tools' PDF to copy and paste the special words to contact people on your favourite social networks. Try to create a small group of familiar and trusted English speaking friends and schedule times to talk each week (10-20 mins max). Speak to 3-5 people usingt he language from each lesson. The repetition is good for your brain and it won't be boring because everyone gives different answers and has different accents/uses slightly different vocab. Record the calls and listen again! (v important) The idea of constantly contacting new people at the start is to find and get this 'core' group of people, your own Personal Practice Network you can get to know well and build strong friendships with around your EOT speaking sessions. If you have a good sized group with people in different time zones...you will have someone online whenever you have time to do some EOT and you'll be learning and practising global English!

When you buy some EOT teacher's materials you can have a free Skype session to ask me any questions that you might have.

This is me talking to Kevin, an American English teacher based in Colombia.

In this recording we discuss:

• How EOT works
• How to teach using the materials (synchronous teaching)
• How to coach or guide using the materials (asynchronous teaching)
• What free technological tools to use to record Skype calls and turn them into podcasts
• How to use Facebook groups to manage and monitor your students' progress

Here is the Skype chat history from our session and the useful links that I sent Kevin (minus the free course with Spanish instructions that he needed):

[12:49:41] *** Call from Kevin ***** ***

[12:55:21] Jason West: www.scribblar.com (free virtual classroom to upload EOT materials into)

[12:55:27] Jason West: www.twiddla.com (another free VC)

[12:55:34] Jason West: www.wiziq.com (virtual classroom I use http://www.wiziq.com/EnglishOutThere)

[12:58:20] Jason West: www.podomatic.com (free podcast system to create links for MP3s that can be posted online)

[12:59:10] Jason West: http://voipcallrecording.com/ (free Skype call recorder)

[13:01:37] Jason West: www.audacity.com (free easy MP3 editing to create our trademark ‘Before and After’ clips of students)

[13:10:18] Jason West: http://www.youtube.com/user/languagesoutthere (our video channel with lots of ‘how to’ videos)

[13:21:20] Jason West: www.crocodoc.com (free PDF annotation online i.e. you can write on our lesson plan worksheets online!)

[13:21:26] Jason West: www.foxxit.com (another one)

 [13:28:46] Jason West: http://englishoutthere.com/english-out-there-affiliate-program (free to join and sell your students self-study courses that work with OO teacher’s courses so they can study alone and be guided by you and sell to your teacher colleagues and form a little collective of teachers doing EOT)

[13:36:02] Jason West: www.edmodo.com (billed as the ‘Facebook of education’ create secure class groups and manage your students learning online and share EOT documents with them)

[13:37:33] Jason West: http://education.skype.com/ (meet other teachers from around the world with students using Skype)

[13:39:33] Jason West: www.voicethread.com (for the painfully shy…asynchronous audio conversations….get you going speaking!)

I hope this stuff helps and inspires!

Jason

When you buy some EOT teacher's materials you can talk to me for 30 mins on Skype for free!

I've done quite a few of these and they are always different but it just occurred to me to RECORD THEM so that other teachers can listen. I should have done this ages ago...doh!

This is me having a chat with Paul who is in Berlin, Germany and is about to start teaching EOT. He asks some very good questions about how to use his new EOT materials, how to record Skype calls, how to teach English using Facebook groups, how to post MP3s into Facebook, how to teach locally in Berlin etc.

It's amazing how many times in conversation with EOT teachers new things occur to me or come back to me. I try to emphasize that EOT is incredibly flexible and there is no strict wrong or right way to use but just that the core process should be adhered to for the best results. In this chat I remembered one way to use LinkedIn with EOT that I've not personally tried, but it would definitely work and turn EOT into an amazing specialized business English course!

Have a listen and let me know what you think?

Here's our chat history so you can follow the links we discussed:

www.wiziq.com
www.twiddla.com
www.podomatic.com
http://voipcallrecording.com/ (MP£ skype recorder)
http://englishoutthere.com/english-out-there-affiliate-program
www.voicethread.com
http://englishbrno.cz/en/author/englishbrno/

Monika did very well for her first time talking to me....but she didn't record the conversation!

Luckily I did, and so this is how I am helping Monika to listen to the recording of our conversation (which is crucial to her language development).

Just download this free application Monika:

http://voipcallrecording.com/

It connects with Skype. Set it to 'joint stereo' and link to a folder you have created for your recordings.

Then get a free account at http://www,podomatic.com

Upload the MP3 and then post the link to Nina or put it on her Facebook page to show her you have done some speaking practice from the EOT lesson.

Listen to the audio three or four times on your iPod or MP3 player...it will help your English a lot.

Monica has been interested in EOT since 2009 and this is the first time we have talked. It was fun and I hope we get to do some stuff together!