Marta Vynnyk: “A teacher is a person who leads the way in language learning”
Marta Vinnyk
Spanish is the third most widely spoken language after English and Chinese. It is spoken by more than 577 million people worldwide, and Spanish is a native language for 480 million people.
If you want to know a little more than “Hola”, “Por favor”, “Gracias” and “Adios”, then it is worth making an effort and immersing yourself in the culture of thinking of the Spanish themselves. Marta Vinnyk tells where to start and how to overcome the language barrier in an interview for Woman Magazine.
Tell us about your personal experience of language learning. Where did you start?
I moved to Spain at the age of 14. I remember the period when a sentence in Spanish seemed like one long word that I could not divide into parts. Everyone said that at such an age one learns the language easily and quickly, and I really sincerely believed it. But later she became convinced that the Spanish environment, although it is an important factor, is sometimes insufficient. I started to make the most progress in the language when they started testing me and explaining the rules. That’s when my biggest breakthrough happened.
I started to make the most progress in the language when they started testing me and explaining the rules
Marta Vinnyk
Have you had crisis moments in language learning?
One of the crisis moments was my inability to construct sentences correctly. I spoke, but I knew it was wrong. There was no one on the side who could correct and help me. For others, it is uncomfortable, but understanding the meaning of the sentence is enough for them. Of course, I wanted more, my goal was to speak Spanish perfectly.
Many people have difficulties with learning English. Because of this, they are afraid to start learning other foreign languages. How to overcome this barrier?
In fact, to each their own. The average student in Spain has a low level of English, but the Spanish speak French very well. And also, it is important to find a teacher who will arrange everything on the shelves. When a student is engaged in self-study, there is “porridge” in his head. A good teacher will help to “cook” it.
When a student is engaged in self-study, there is “porridge” in his head. A good teacher will help to “cook” it
Marta Vinnyk
Where should I start learning Spanish?
A teacher is our mentor, a person who takes us by the hand and leads us on the right path of study. In self-study, we don’t see our mistakes in pronunciation, grammar, or sentence structure. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to relearn, because the cartridges that we learned for the first time are imprinted very deeply in our consciousness. When we learn a foreign language, our consciousness can be compared to a blank sheet of paper. In order for us to be able to master the language faster, it is better to immediately take notes carefully and in the correct order for the fastest possible and high-quality perception of information.
What learning format do you offer your students?
The most popular learning format at our school is online courses, which have already been completed by more than a thousand satisfied students. Thanks to a clear structure and individual work with each student, results can be obtained in a relatively short time. It is very comfortable, because you can practice at a convenient time for yourself. Plus, each student receives personal support from me.
I launched my first stream of courses in March 2020, during the first lockdown. I remember thinking through every detail of the curriculum, going back to myself, fourteen-year-old Marta, and asking what exactly she was missing when she started her language learning journey. This is how the “Course for Beginners” was born, and later other educational programs that provide a solid foundation for Spanish. There are currently no similar analogues on the market.
A teacher is our mentor, a person who takes us by the hand and leads us on the right path of study
Marta Vinnyk
Do you practice individually?
I work with each of my students individually. I sincerely believe that only such an approach to each student can bring the appropriate result. That is why I personally listen to each student, check pronunciation, grammar, and answer questions.
If we talk about mentoring, then due to the tight schedule of work on the school, I can afford a rather limited number of students with whom I conduct individual sessions. Our school is growing and you can sign up for individual lessons with other teachers whom I personally train. In particular, to native speakers and DELE trainers who will prepare for international exams.
How to create a foreign environment around you?
I recommend watching television (movies, cartoons, series, news) and listening to music. Again, at the beginning, it is quite normal not to perceive and understand information by ear. That is why we have developed special workbooks for songs and series in Spanish that make this part of learning easier. At higher levels, classes with a native speaker work great, but it should be a truly certified and experienced teacher.
What language learning apps do you recommend?
I like classic options, such as Duolinguo or lyricstraining.
Should I watch foreign bloggers or try to record my own videos while studying?
Yes, it works great. When we listen to others, we try to catch their way of speaking and learn slang and everyday vocabulary. In particular, both video and audio are excellent formats for reporting homework. At least, that’s how things happen in our training programs.
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Photo: personal archive
