Our Teaching Methods

Skrivanek Language School applies the so-called communicative method, which is based on the belief that the best way for students to learn a foreign language is by taking part in meaningful and real-life communication.

Our teachers create an environment for meaningful communication by choosing exercises, tasks and activities that are interesting for the students and which the students believe to be applicable to real-life situations.

The goal of this method is not gaining mere knowledge of the language, but rather development of skills used for communication, in particular the ability to understand authentic spoken conversations in the target language and to speak the language as well.

In contrast to the outdated grammatical-translation method, which is no longer in tune with the requirements of the development of modern society, we do not want the students to memorise endless lists of isolated terms. Our teachers present new vocabulary in a meaningful and real-life context, and the use of the mother tongue is reduced to the minimum.

We do not teach grammar by memorising theoretical concepts and their subsequent application, but we rather use them to make the students express their own opinions and to induce unrestrained formation of written and spoken language.

In addition to linguistic functions, we also exercise the appropriate use of the communicative functions of a language, for example how to apologise, how to ask for information, how to ask for directions, how to make a telephone call or how to engage in a normal conversation. The linguistic form is therefore not the goal in its own right, but rather a means of communication.

Foreign language skills develop and habits become automatic with intensive practising and efficient work. Our methods are focused on all the aspects of a foreign language.

We develop the ability to understand written and spoken language. The classes consist of a variety of exercises: drills stabilising new grammar, lexical and stylistic exercises, but in particular communicative and role-play abilities, which allow for active use of language skills.

Our teachers positively motivate their students and try to eliminate their shyness about communicating, which is the fundamental prerequisite for success. The focus of the courses is a student speaking a foreign language, not the teacher.

The organisation and implementation of foreign language courses in our school is based on the document “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” issued by the Council of Europe – how we learn languages, how we teach them and how we assess those who learn them. The document led us to introduce the levels defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and implement some changes in the approach to teaching. New emphasis is put on a student's ability to express his thoughts. The emphasis has therefore moved from the level of correct (proper) use of language to the level of successful communication in the real world.

Exercises focusing on all 4 skills: speaking, reading, writing and listening are part of each class.

During classes, strong emphasis is always put on students' active cooperation and their spoken language.

• Write to our methodology expert