Interview with Corina Cortes… | I'm afraid of English! How to be fearless when learning a new language
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 3:47 am
Hello Corina, tell us a little about yourself
I'm an English Coach at What's Up! Terrassa since 2016 and I am really happy with the method and dynamics we manage.
When I came to Barcelona I studied a Master in Coaching, Emotional Intelligence and Management. While studying I really got the chance to improve communication skills and team-building techniques which have been really insightful for my current professional career.
What aspect related to fear is most common while students learn English?
They are really scared when it comes down to interacting with finland phone number list classmates. Sometimes they feel they are in their early school years and are afraid, ashamed or they don't want to make a fool out of themselves. It seems like they don't understand or realize classmates are there to learn as well and maybe share their embarrassment. When a student comes to a Have Fun class, we are here to actually that: to have a good time, play, learn and express ourselves freely. Many students start saying “I will never wear a hat while singing in a Mad About Music” but end up wearing a whole costume and creating a choreography.
Another point I've noticed is that they think vocabulary is too vast and they won't have the chance to learn it. They believe they need to memorize all the words and we need to remind them that it requires time and patience. We really try to encourage them and want them to see themselves excel too if we say they are doing really good it's because they are!
Is English as hard as it really seems?
The answer is no. We think English is difficult because we have built a really strong bond if we look closely it's easier than Spanish, especially when it comes down to verbs and tenses. We created language. Languages live inside us because our brain is designed to communicate. If we relax and let ourselves go this will come naturally. We don't think in words, we project images and sensations.
I'm an English Coach at What's Up! Terrassa since 2016 and I am really happy with the method and dynamics we manage.
When I came to Barcelona I studied a Master in Coaching, Emotional Intelligence and Management. While studying I really got the chance to improve communication skills and team-building techniques which have been really insightful for my current professional career.
What aspect related to fear is most common while students learn English?
They are really scared when it comes down to interacting with finland phone number list classmates. Sometimes they feel they are in their early school years and are afraid, ashamed or they don't want to make a fool out of themselves. It seems like they don't understand or realize classmates are there to learn as well and maybe share their embarrassment. When a student comes to a Have Fun class, we are here to actually that: to have a good time, play, learn and express ourselves freely. Many students start saying “I will never wear a hat while singing in a Mad About Music” but end up wearing a whole costume and creating a choreography.
Another point I've noticed is that they think vocabulary is too vast and they won't have the chance to learn it. They believe they need to memorize all the words and we need to remind them that it requires time and patience. We really try to encourage them and want them to see themselves excel too if we say they are doing really good it's because they are!
Is English as hard as it really seems?
The answer is no. We think English is difficult because we have built a really strong bond if we look closely it's easier than Spanish, especially when it comes down to verbs and tenses. We created language. Languages live inside us because our brain is designed to communicate. If we relax and let ourselves go this will come naturally. We don't think in words, we project images and sensations.