Hey there! This is TOP episode 230. I Don’t Know How to Learn
Are you tired of lacking confidence when speaking English? Does it block you from achieving your true goals? This podcast is the place for you. This is Teacher Ola Podcast. My name’s Ola Mierniczak, I’m a teacher empowering English learners to become confident speakers. The key to fluency is in your pocket. Join my TOPeople newsletter for weekly motivation and free materials. Enjoy your journey to fluency!
Hey there! Thank you for choosing to spend a few minutes with English, and thanks that you picked Teacher Ola Podcast. Today I have something special. Today I’m goin to let you in to my course Say It Out Loud. Very soon, 22 January the doors to SIOL (Say It Out Loud) course will open. Yes! Finally you will be able to sign up to this great programm that will organise your current knowledge, boost vocabulary, boost your speaking, motivate you to bring the action. Finally, right? The end of January 2024 is coming, I’m sorry to break it to you but if English is on your to do list for this year 22 January is a great occasion to get started. The program lasts 12 weeks, we meet weekly during Speaking Clubs, in the meantime you are busy with watching video lessons, completing pdf exercises, listening to audios. The covers grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and foundations. Foundations are designed to help you learn abut learning. Shadowing, memory, habits, fear of speaking, making mistakes and many many more. So! Today I’ve decided to pick one fragment and let you hear it here. It’s a fragment from foundations section. It’s about False Assumptions. I discuss many false assumptions connected with learning, learning English in particular, now you’ll hear about a common assumption that is: ‘I don’t know how to learn’. Enjoy.
Before we start! Tenses Masterclass is coming! I’m going to give you a free training on grammar, in particular: tenses. I’ll be giving not just one but a 3-day free training on grammar. Past, present and future. 3-day tenses masterclass! Sign up now! Go to teacherola.com/webinar. It’s on the 22, 23, 24 January 2024. During the webinar I’ll also be talking about SIOL course. Say It out Loud – online English course for anybody who wants to start speaking English. The materials are for students from intermediate, b1 level. And now let’s get back to the episode.
I Don’t Know How to Learn
Ok, I know we went through schools that don’t really teach us and don’t teach us how to learn. I know you might have a very negative approach to learning because of those negative experiences and associations that you have developed.
But listen to this. Number one stop these negative thoughts and start positive ones. Thoughts like: I know how to learn, it’s natural to me, I’m curious, I’m passionate, I want to discover more and more and more! Number two: we are all born with an innate capacity to learn and possess curious minds because this is the very essence of human nature.
Look at the newborns. Infants display an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. They actively seek out and process new information, from the sensation of touch to the sights and sounds of their environment. This is us.
We are born this way. Our brains as you already know can change they are in fact constantly changing, adapting, and rewiring. Use it to your advantage. The brain is constantly rewiring itself in response to new learning experiences.
Look at children. Before they even go to school, before they understand the concept of learning they learn. Linguist Noam Chomsky proposed the theory of Universal Grammar, suggesting that humans are born with an innate understanding of the basic structure of language. Babies instinctively begin to acquire the language spoken around them, demonstrating a natural predisposition for learning complex systems. We don’t lose it.
Alison Gopnik, a psychologist has revealed that even very young children possess remarkable problem-solving abilities. Her studies showed that children can solve complex problems, often through trial and error. This innate problem-solving capability is a testament to our natural curiosity and drive to understand the world. You have it. You can learn, you can solve problems because it’s in your nature.
Studies have also demonstrated that the desire to learn persists throughout life. The so-called “silver learners” – older adults who engage in lifelong learning. Why do they do it? They don’t have to! But they need it, because it’s our human nature. We need to learn, we have to learn, we die when we stop. Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, or learning a new language. You are a natural-born learner, and your brain is willing to learn. By design.
Time for practice. Listen and repeat the sentences. Let’s go:
I know you might have a very negative approach to learning.
Stop these negative thoughts and start positive ones.
Look at the newborns.
We are born this way.
Use it to your advantage.
I want to discover more and more and more!
We are all born with an innate capacity to learn.
Even very young children possess remarkable problem-solving abilities.
Why do they do it?
We need to learn, we have to learn, we die when we stop.
You are a natural-born learner.
Brilliant. Now, don’t forget to complete the Worksheet for this episode. It’s available at teacherola.com/230.
Sign up for a 3-day free training, 3-day tenses masterclass where you’ll learn how to choose tenses properly! Sign up at teacherola.com/webinar.
I’ll be back soon, and you stay fearless, say it out loud and take care! I’m your teacher, Teacher Ola, and you were listening to Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now!