Training and Workshops

Training & Workshops

I offer training and workshops to companies and organizations of all sizes to assist their people in understanding what it takes to become a good language learner as well as providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to take action and effectively train toward fluency.

The main course is entitled “Becoming an Exceptional Language Learner” and is designed to lead participants beyond the classroom or the language-learning app and focuses on how they must actively approach their learning to acquire the language.

This workshop does not simply present study skills (although there is an excellent section on techniques), but rather guides the learner through the mental processes of language acquisition, providing them with the understanding they need that will allow them to take the reins and become focused learners. It is hands-on (or in this case, ears-on), interactive, motivational and fun. Participants will walk out with the confidence that they are perfectly capable of learning a foreign language well and more importantly they will have the drive to do so.

For those companies and organizations that are moving specifically toward a technology-based language learning strategy, I have the perfect workshop for you.

If you are adopting any of the language-learning apps or programs (Duolingo, Babbel, Mondly, Busuu, Rosetta Stone, etc.) as your company’s learning resource, you must prepare your people to use them wisely and this is not as obvious as it may seem.

You see, although these apps are great, simply following the gamification strategies inherent to these technologies for 15 minutes a day will not get you speaking a language fluently.

I have designed the workshop entitled “Getting the Most out of Your Language-Learning App” specifically to address the needs of organizations that are betting on these language-learning tools to train their people in a foreign language. I take your team through the technology they are using, demonstrate strategies that promote true acquisition of the content as opposed to a superficial knowledge, train them in being able to measure their own performance outcomes so they know whether they are learning, and finally guide them on how to intelligently supplement their learning with other materials and effective practice in the language.

Both of these programs are tailored and customizable to your organization in order to fit your unique needs.

Customized Training

As mentioned, each of the of the courses above is tailored specifically to your organization, but if you have any other ideas for a training course or workshop, let me know. I would love to work with you to find the right educational solution for you and your team.

Coaching

I also offer one-on-one coaching services for anyone who needs a guide as they maneuver the labyrinth that is foreign language learning.

I will meet with you at least once a week, help you tailor a plan, assist you in gathering and putting together resources, work with you to build your own practice exercises, challenge you, and most importantly, keep you accountable while on your journey.

Online Self-Paced Training Course

A digital version of my course “Becoming an Exceptional Language Learner” is also in the works and should be available within the next few months. This will be an online course available to anyone who would like to sign-up. 

Despite the digital and asynchronous format, the course will be comprehensive, using a variety of audio examples and exercises and will include a capstone project, which I will review with each participant at the end of the course.

If you are interested in receiving a notification when the course becomes available for purchase, simply send me an email at william@indielanguagelearner.com and I will add you to the list. I promise I won’t bombard you with spammy messages 🙂

Why Work with Me?

I am a trained instructional designer (M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from the University of Washington) and have worked to design learning programs for both universities and corporations. In addition, I have worked as a language teacher and as the director of the language learning center at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

With a background that combines language learning, linguistics, instructional design, adult education, and educational technology, I have made it my mission to help people believe in themselves when it comes to learning. I want to see a world in which anyone, anywhere, not only has access to the necessary learning resources, but also develops a firm sense of responsibility, motivation, and drive and guides themselves toward effective learning outcomes.

Other Ideas?

If you have any other ideas of how we can collaborate, please send me an email at william@indielanguagelearner.com.