Getting the most out of your online tutor

Summary

In this video, Steve Kaufman shares insights from his personal experience with online language tutoring, discussing how to maximize the benefits of these sessions. He highlights the importance of choosing the right tutor, focusing on meaningful conversations, and receiving detailed reports on areas of difficulty. Steve emphasizes the role of online platforms like Link and Italki in his language learning journey. He also discusses his approach to balancing multiple languages, including Turkish, Persian, and Arabic, and the motivation he gains from his tutoring sessions to continue progressing in his studies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steve Kaufman is currently working on his 21st language, though he actively speaks 10-11 of them.
• 😀 He is currently learning Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish, with a goal to explore regions of the world where these languages are spoken.
• 😀 Steve emphasizes the importance of starting to speak with a tutor earlier in the learning process. He began speaking Turkish after only five weeks of learning.
• 😀 The availability of good language materials, such as repetitive mini-stories and transcribed natural conversations, has helped Steve start speaking earlier in his language learning journey.
• 😀 Steve prefers tutors who provide progress reports after sessions, including lists of words and phrases he struggled with, and ideally offer audio recordings of those mistakes.
• 😀 He values tutors who focus on conversation and minimal correction during sessions. He avoids tutors who over-correct, preferring more natural and engaging conversations.
• 😀 Steve uses online platforms like iTalki to connect with tutors, benefiting from the increasing availability of online language learning resources and tutors.
• 😀 He believes that the feedback from tutors is vital for progress. This feedback helps him identify areas of struggle and improve his understanding of the language.
• 😀 After tutor sessions, Steve revisits the reports and integrates them into his language practice through platforms like LingQ, combining them with input activities such as reading and listening.
• 😀 Steve aims to balance his studies between Turkish, Arabic, and Farsi, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining proficiency in multiple languages at once.
• 😀 He is motivated by his tutor sessions, which inspire him to return to language learning materials and continue progressing in his language skills.

Q & A

What is Steve Kaufman's current language learning situation?

Steve Kaufman is working on his 21st language, with a focus on Arabic, Farsi (Persian), and Turkish. He is actively learning these languages and plans to revisit others he has studied, such as Russian and Czech, to maintain his skills.

How does Kaufman feel about the progress he has made with Turkish so far?

Kaufman is optimistic about his progress in Turkish, having started speaking only five weeks into learning the language. He credits the availability of quality learning materials and repetition, which helped him start speaking earlier compared to his past language learning experiences.

Why does Kaufman recommend speaking with a tutor early in the learning process?

Kaufman believes that speaking early accelerates language acquisition. He emphasizes that learners can improve faster by engaging in conversations, even before reaching a high level of fluency, as it helps solidify what they've already learned.

What qualities does Kaufman look for in an online tutor?

Kaufman seeks a tutor who provides constructive feedback, including a detailed report of words and phrases he struggled with during the session. He values a tutor who does not overcorrect and allows for natural conversation while also offering audio recordings of corrections for later review.

How does Kaufman use tutor feedback in his learning process?

Kaufman uses the feedback from his tutors as part of a larger review system. He stores the feedback reports and audio recordings on platforms like LingQ, allowing him to revisit them months later as a way to track progress and reinforce learning.

What role do online platforms like LingQ and iTalki play in Kaufman's language learning?

LingQ and iTalki are key tools in Kaufman’s learning process. LingQ helps him store and review feedback, while iTalki allows him to connect with tutors for personalized lessons. These platforms provide Kaufman with a flexible and effective learning structure.

How does Kaufman balance his tutor sessions with independent study?

Kaufman balances his tutor sessions by continuing to engage with self-study materials after each session. He reviews the feedback provided by his tutor and also explores content that aligns with his current level of proficiency, reinforcing vocabulary and grammar.

What motivates Kaufman to continue his language learning journey?

Kaufman is motivated by the progress he sees through his regular tutor sessions, which inspire him to dive back into independent study. He also stays motivated by setting clear goals, such as completing 90-day challenges, and enjoys the sense of achievement from improving in multiple languages.

What is Kaufman’s strategy for managing multiple languages at once?

Kaufman manages multiple languages by incorporating short tutor sessions for each language, regularly reviewing feedback, and staying consistent with his study schedule. He tries to balance his time across Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, without letting one language slip too much before revisiting it.

What changes has Kaufman noticed in his approach to language learning over the years?

Kaufman’s approach has evolved from waiting months before speaking to starting conversations much earlier in his learning process. He attributes this shift to better learning materials, increased availability of online tutors, and a more refined understanding of how to use these resources effectively.