Mindfulen | Дзен

Thinking back to your school and university years, do you remember cheating on exams and tests? I have never been one to cheat, to be honest, a little miss goody two-shoes. I thought of cheating as despicable. Especially at school. Later, at university I tried, but it never worked out for me: I felt a bit too self-conscious about simply reaching for the cheat sheet. I never managed to actually use it. “Cheating is what lazy people do. It’s the easy way out.” I did learn the value of cheating eventually, though...

8 месяцев назад

Catch-ups

That is the word I use in the private profile of each student when I want to specify that we have been discussing ✨ life ✨. Typically, it’s just a warm-up, the usual “How are you?” and “What’s new?” But at times, these conversations span an hour: we go from one thing to another and lose the track of time or consciously decide to postpone the lesson materials until next time. Instead, I make notes, introduce necessary vocabulary and explain the grammar structures that you need while describing those specific experiences...

8 месяцев назад

Using Adjectives with “en” to Create Verbs #grammar There are some adjectives that are short, one syllable long - for example, “soft”. Have you known that we can turn such adjectives into a verb by adding the suffix “-en” at the end? Soft-soften. Such verbs amplify their adjective’s qualities. As you have noticed before, I’ve called the general course and my social media accounts - Mindfulen. For me, it has two interpretations. First, a combination of words “Mindful” and “English”. Typically, both teachers and students have to adhere to a syllabus with specific deadlines. But everyone’s unique, every student moves at their own pace. My goal as a teacher is to respect individual needs, while turning English into a tool of communication. Second, albeit grammatically incorrect, mindfulen is a verb, describing that my students and I progress at a comfortable speed, without judgement. Plus, quite often we discuss mental health, psychology and well-being. So everything is tied together pretty nicely. 😉

8 месяцев назад

I hadn't wanted to become a teacher until I was made to

No. Really. As a child, I wanted to be a doctor. Then I realized I faint when I smell anything hospitals-related. I studied International Relations, then worked for a nano-composites company, did some social projects, and slaved away at a university. This was where the boss made me teach (I was actually in charge of an international cooperation unit — a purely administrative position). In hindsight, I didn't mind doing it. But it ended up being just one more excuse to be unhappy with my job at the time...

8 месяцев назад