Important !!!
Snails steps (optional order), pros and cons: live speeches, audio, VT (Snails short and long procedure).
Live PROS: human interaction, short training to see if it fit ur style. Also u can be anonymous if u want – just listen or texting short msgs – so no voice, no face (use avatar), no name (use nickname). CONS: u need to be on time (at least approx). No teacher present much (mostly u train with other learners and mentors). Feedback and speech analyze on basic level. U cant be constant on ur favorite topics.
VT (voice typing) PROS: u can put down dictated/transcribed speech any time. U work on ur own area (and connected topics), own speeches and get fast feedback(s) – mostly in few hours (and permanent). That speeches (plus feedbacks/parenting) u will use to further free analyze with teacher. There is also longer procedure (JAM, review, paraphrase, summarize…) to work intensive with teacher to improve ur speaking skills fast and steady. In interaction with other learners (in same time mentors/”parents”) u have more chance to find “ideal” speaking buddy (to train more often by voice). CONS: u need to have/train basic technical skill to use shared docs and vt tool (dont worry, our mentors will help). In longer procedure there are few more tools/technique to learn/acquire.
Audio PROS: u can send file in chat (fbm, wa, tme, skype…) or train (audiodrill by Dmitry Rabkin) any time. In later stages teacher has ability to analyze ur voice/pronunciation. CONS: only for introduction and private training. No immediate feedback. Possible to send to teachers but only in later stages (or in private agreement).
Ewelina:
Hi. I’ve watched movies from the link and have started understanding how this method work (checking how understandable we are when speak/correcting mistakes/improving pronunciation/focusing mainly on topic from areas of our interests). On the other hand I have still many questions. You wrote Gabriel that we can use meetings or Google document, what does it mean? Can we work alone (and what with the feedback in this case), there will be schedule of the meeting like in Maofen group? What with all roles you mentioned during the meeting on Wednesday? As I understand we don’t use any tool which check if our speech has correct grammar structure or it is in proper time (honestly I don’t even know if is this kind of tools). Probably you with Delgado wanted to explain all rules at the right time, but these my thoughts after watching movies.
Teacher Gabriel:
I’m sending my answer to your questions. I hope it helps. But if it creates more questions, feel free to ask more.
Meetings will start taking place in the near future. There learners can practice the way you saw in the videos of Marina and Justyna. And yes, the idea is to schedule them like the regular MAOFEN meetings.
Google docs is another way we train. This allows you to work on your own anytime of the day. Using a voice typing tool you can convert your speech into text. There other learners who know about the training a bit more or more advanced speakers will offer their feedback below your text.
Apart from that, after you’ve been working for a while and have a good amount of speeches, you will get more comprehensive feedback about an area you may need to work on. Usually by a Teacher or a very Advanced Speaker.
About all the roles we mentioned the other day, we wanted to show you there are many possibilities to collaborate. The most basic one, the ambassador, is something everyone can do, as you only need to share the project with other people, tell them about it. For the other roles (mentor/assistant/TA) it is necessary some training which we will offer soon.
And yes, we don’t use any tool that check your grammar or your use of tenses. You can get feedback about that from advanced speakers and/or teachers.
I think that’s everything, but maybe Delgado wants to add something I missed.
Delgado (learner, coordinator):
“Probably you with Delgado wanted to explain all rules at the right time”
– there is no rules, only suggestions
“we don’t use any tool that check your grammar or your use of tenses”
– not directly but in process of review and analyze we use many tools (also grammar tools like grammarly, prowritingaid, chrome-addon: Grammar and Spell Checker – LanguageTool etc).
My answers to OIk AG and Modhurima Madhu: “how to take a session with teacher one on one”
– u can work with teacher intensively only in Snails DOC (correct me Gab if I am wrong) first u create speeches, work with other learners and after that slowly start with teachers.
“Is that paid” – no but u need to help others bcs we are here to help each other. GIVE AND TAKE.
“isn’t relaxed chats enough, why to complicate?” – with EE you will improve faster and more stable. Anywhere else u dont have trained feedback and free help from teachers.