Solving the Fluency Problem
How I help people learn languages faster
In the fall of 2023, I began documenting the journey of creating a teaching method that reliably leads to fluency at least 4x faster than traditional approaches. This method is designed for adults who value fast, measurable progress with a minimal weekly time investment. My goal is to save you time by removing the guesswork of finding an effective approach and offering a premium, high-impact service that delivers reliable results from the start.
Today I will summarize what I have learned so far on my journey and how it has changed the way my tutors teach at the Calgary Language Nerds. I’m continuing to develop the teaching method and will share further developments as they arise. I believe my approach to be one-of-a-kind seeing as, to my knowledge, there aren’t currently any products/services on the market that reliably lead to fluency.
To inquire further about private lessons with a tutor at my business, visit my website and book a time in my calendar.
Part 1: Conversation Fast-Track
Introduction
Why is it hard to converse in another language? I believe there are four main reasons:
A lack of knowledge (such as grammar or vocabulary)
A lack of communication skills (such as talking around unfamiliar words or using filler words to buy time to think)
A lack of confidence or feeling self-conscious about engaging in conversations
A lack of experience and exposure to the natural ways in which native speakers communicate. This includes factors such as their pace, tone, and expressions
How my teaching method addresses these problems
My approach to teaching conversation is truly one-of-a-kind. In over 15 years of taking language lessons myself, I’ve never encountered anyone who teaches in a similar way. From my experiences so far, my method effectively addresses the four obstacles mentioned above and leads to faster conversational progress than any other approach I’ve seen.
Here are the key components of my method:
Conversation-focused classes. No PowerPoints, textbooks, or worksheets. Just you and the tutor having real, authentic conversations.
Plain language teaching. Many tutors who rely on technical jargon when teaching. My method does not. Instead, it uses plain, straightforward language to make learning more accessible.
Data-based progress. To my knowledge, nobody else tracks and shares data to show precisely how far you are from your fluency goal. The primary metrics I look at are minutes of fluent conversation, grammatical accuracy, and speech flow.
“Critical Conversation Topics.” I figured out that there are only four high-frequency topics in day-to-day conversation: work/education, hobbies, daily life, and personal history. Calgary Language Nerds students progress so fast because they become competent in the Critical Conversation Topics first before advancing to other areas.
Repetition. Discuss the same topics multiple times with your tutor. This, logically, leads to rapid conversational competency in each topic.
Sentences first, grammar second. Most tutors emphasize rote memorization of grammar rules, expecting you to apply that knowledge to make sentences. Based on my experience so far, switching the order tends to be easier and more effective: teach sentences first and then highlight the most relevant grammar points in each sentence. This approach to grammar instruction, combined with the other elements of my teaching method, appears to cultivate an intuitive understanding of grammar, helping students to articulate themselves with greater fluidity.
No mandatory homework. Let’s face it: students often don’t do their homework, despite their best intentions. Lol. That’s why I’ve designed my method in such a way where homework is optional.
How much progress to expect
Initial results indicate that in 3-12 months, students can expect to carry 20 to 30-minute free-flowing conversations about the aforementioned Four Critical Conversation topics. They have clear pronunciation and make no major grammar errors. Results vary based on a number of factors such as the difficulty of the target language, the student’s level prior to starting lessons, and the frequency of the lessons.
Progress will continue to be monitored over the coming months to ensure these expectations remain accurate and to refine the approach as needed.
Part 2: Listening Fast-Track
Introduction
After developing a conversational base and intuitive grasp of grammar, the next step with my method is to enhance listening comprehension through mediums such as TV shows, movies, podcasts, and music. From what I’ve observed, people struggle with listening comprehension for two main reasons:
The content contains unfamiliar words and phrases
The speakers in the audio or video content have an unfamiliar manner of speech, such as a different accent, fast speaking pace, or distinctive voice timbre
How my teaching method addresses these problems
Just like conversation, I believe my approach to teaching listening comprehension to be one-of-a-kind. Here are the key points:
Authentic material. No “textbook language.” Get used to how native speakers actually talk from day 1.
Bilingual, side-by-side transcripts. My initial tests indicate that bilingual, side-by-side transcripts are superior to standard subtitles or single-language transcripts. A bilingual, side-by-side transcript allows you to pause videos/audios less frequently and still understand what’s being said, training you to get accustomed to fast connected speech. Pausing less frequently also accelerates vocabulary acquisition by increasing the number of new words you encounter in context.
No mandatory homework. The reasons for this are the same as what I already mentioned above for the Conversation Fast-Track. It’s important to me that you reach fluency primarily as a result of attending class.
Data-based progress. I track listening progress by the number of words one has heard and understood in various pieces of audio/video content. The benchmarks range between 25,000 and 100,000 words. To be clear, these aren’t 25,000 to 100,000 unique words - many will be repeated and even more will be forgotten. Nevertheless, after careful consideration I believe this is the amount required to reach an intermediate listening level.
How much progress to expect
I don’t yet have enough data or personal experience with my listening method to provide a definitive answer. However, my current estimate is that in 3-12 months, students can expect to reach at least the 25,000 word benchmark. Progress will continue to be monitored over the coming months to ensure these estimates are accurate and to refine the approach as needed.
Part 3: Reading and Writing Fast-Track
I have not yet started to work on a method to teach reading and writing, but this would be the final piece of the puzzle. I believe the Reading and Writing Fast-Track will have two learning outcomes:
Writing outcome: Perfect students’ grammar and ability to be articulate
Reading outcome: Double students’ vocabulary
Summary
I haven't come across anyone who has developed an accelerated program with the goal of reliably leading to fluency at least 4x faster than traditional approaches. I don’t know if anyone has even tried to do so. As I mentioned before, my method is not for everyone; it is specifically for adults who value fast, measurable progress with a minimal weekly time investment. My goal is to save you time by removing the guesswork of finding an effective approach and offering a premium, high-impact service that delivers reliable results from the start.
I would like everyone who completes all three of my Fast-Track courses to:
Year 1: Become conversationally fluent by taking the Conversation Fast-Track
Year 2: Mostly understand audio/visual material by taking the Listening Fast-Track
Year 3: Wrap up their studies with the Reading and Writing Fast-Track and reach a well-rounded advanced level in terms of speaking, listening, reading, and writing
To maximize the success rate and ensure as many students as possible reach the expected learning outcomes, lessons are currently taught 1-1. However, I plan to eventually adapt the methodology for group classes.
I’m excited to continue this journey and see where it takes me!
Learn a language with the Calgary Language Nerds!
Visit my website for more info :)
Is this what Catherine and I are doing now?