potential, go ahead and change it. It will feel manageable, and you will persist.
And if you want to build a practice routine (which means acquire new habits), definitely do not change who you are. Embrace who you are. Neither inspiration nor joy comes from trying too hard to “prepare” to start a new routine. Many people think that “preparing” means “copying someone else’s method of getting ready”.
It felt so liberating for me when I realized that my skillset does not depend on how much make-up I’m wearing. I also learned that people appreciate the opportunity of showing up as they are, feeling no pressure to look professional when they see their coach and seeing their coach work hard on her own routine too. I saw the beauty of human relationships when I learned to see the beauty of people not only with my eyes, but with my heart. What they wear and don’t wear on certain days became so unimportant, as long as they stay true to who they are and how they feel today.
And if you want to build a practice routine (which means acquire new habits), definitely do not change who you are. Embrace who you are. Neither inspiration nor joy comes from trying too hard to “prepare” to start a new routine. Many people think that “preparing” means “copying someone else’s method of getting ready”.
It felt so liberating for me when I realized that my skillset does not depend on how much make-up I’m wearing. I also learned that people appreciate the opportunity of showing up as they are, feeling no pressure to look professional when they see their coach and seeing their coach work hard on her own routine too. I saw the beauty of human relationships when I learned to see the beauty of people not only with my eyes, but with my heart. What they wear and don’t wear on certain days became so unimportant, as long as they stay true to who they are and how they feel today.
❤1
https://youtu.be/SA8GkalW-lU
A great video about the importance of reading out loud.
My takeaways from the video:
1. A good story makes a point
2. To engage your listeners, you may want to choose to tell a story in the present tense. It works!
3. Clarity is an essential component of a good story. The story is clear, the characters' feelings are clear, and the big idea is also clear. She used zero filler words too.
A great video about the importance of reading out loud.
My takeaways from the video:
1. A good story makes a point
2. To engage your listeners, you may want to choose to tell a story in the present tense. It works!
3. Clarity is an essential component of a good story. The story is clear, the characters' feelings are clear, and the big idea is also clear. She used zero filler words too.
YouTube
Kate DiCamillo on the magic of reading aloud
We tend to reserve reading aloud for kids or others who can't read on their own. But beloved children's book author Kate DiCamillo thinks the practice offers a special opportunity for people to connect. She offers her humble opinion on the universal and age…
A new exercise in the Community about Kate DiCamillo actually
https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/exercises/exercise-55-focus-intensive-listening-it-takes-less-than-15-min
https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/exercises/exercise-55-focus-intensive-listening-it-takes-less-than-15-min
https://youtu.be/UdtMqRmbJrE
Watch the 1st video in the series of interviews with my students. Wait for it!! I’ll introduce you to a whole world of amazing souls!
You don’t need to be perfect to keep going. You just need to choose to keep going.
Watch the 1st video in the series of interviews with my students. Wait for it!! I’ll introduce you to a whole world of amazing souls!
You don’t need to be perfect to keep going. You just need to choose to keep going.
YouTube
Interviews with students: Meet Daria. A flight attendant with multiple passions and a big heart
This channel educates non-native speakers to advance their communication skills in the English language.
Join Native-Like Fluency. The Community of Practice - https://pages.nataliatokar.me/community
I'm Natalia, and I am not a native speaker. I don't create…
Join Native-Like Fluency. The Community of Practice - https://pages.nataliatokar.me/community
I'm Natalia, and I am not a native speaker. I don't create…
https://youtu.be/tOSxY0u6AQU
Many non-native speakers don't think in terms of "sentences" when they communicate in English. They think in terms of "ideas", and they get enthusiastic about sharing their ideas.
The problem is that many forget to package their ideas in sentences. Instead, a bounty of their ideas will sound like one very long sentence...
Clarity needs structure.
Start off by structuring your thoughts as sentences. Then, learn to connect your sentences. There are many more interesting ways to connect your ideas apart from using the obvious "transition" words, such as "in addition to", "however", "besides", "moreover", etc.... Besides, many of these words will change the register (from casual to formal), and you need to be aware of it.
Join the next SPRINT! on Clarity and learn simple and effective exercises to connect your ideas and deliver your ideas in English with clarity.
It's a short-term creative challenge that is organized as a routine, meaning you can repeat it in the future and deepen the practice.
Learn more and apply here https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/calendar/clarity-sprint4
Many non-native speakers don't think in terms of "sentences" when they communicate in English. They think in terms of "ideas", and they get enthusiastic about sharing their ideas.
The problem is that many forget to package their ideas in sentences. Instead, a bounty of their ideas will sound like one very long sentence...
Clarity needs structure.
Start off by structuring your thoughts as sentences. Then, learn to connect your sentences. There are many more interesting ways to connect your ideas apart from using the obvious "transition" words, such as "in addition to", "however", "besides", "moreover", etc.... Besides, many of these words will change the register (from casual to formal), and you need to be aware of it.
Join the next SPRINT! on Clarity and learn simple and effective exercises to connect your ideas and deliver your ideas in English with clarity.
It's a short-term creative challenge that is organized as a routine, meaning you can repeat it in the future and deepen the practice.
Learn more and apply here https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/calendar/clarity-sprint4
YouTube
CLARITY in English. Level #4. Connecting your ideas without the obvious "transition" words
Many non-native speakers don't think in terms of "sentences" when they communicate in English. They think in terms of "ideas", and they get enthusiastic about sharing their ideas.
The problem is that many forget to package their ideas in sentences. Instead…
The problem is that many forget to package their ideas in sentences. Instead…
Did you know that creative writing practice is a great tool to improve your spontaneous speaking skills? More tips and tools for those who want to improve their writing skills in English https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/my-new-article-on-linkedin
community.nataliatokar.me
My new article on LinkedIn | Native-Like Fluency. The Community of Practice
I published this text in the Writing Studio first but then I decided to publish it on LinkedIn and on my telegram channel.
My message is simple: practice writing in English. I use the same structured approach to writing that I teach in my writing...
I published this text in the Writing Studio first but then I decided to publish it on LinkedIn and on my telegram channel.
My message is simple: practice writing in English. I use the same structured approach to writing that I teach in my writing...
If you want to start a creative writing practice in English, but you don't know where to begin, start off by making a list of questions that will inspire you to look for the answer.
You need a list of questions that you can go back to every time you feel stuck and you don't know what to write about.
See my suggestions below.
TIP: get a notebook that is not too pretty or too fancy. Most people know that their writing will be bad at first, and they don't want to spoil the "perfect" notebook that they bought to start a journal in English. So, they choose to write nothing...and wait for the perfect words to come.
Instead, start writing on any piece of paper that you can get. Let it be messy and ugly at first. You can always edit later. https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/creative-writing-prompts-when-you-don-t-know-what-to-write-about
You need a list of questions that you can go back to every time you feel stuck and you don't know what to write about.
See my suggestions below.
TIP: get a notebook that is not too pretty or too fancy. Most people know that their writing will be bad at first, and they don't want to spoil the "perfect" notebook that they bought to start a journal in English. So, they choose to write nothing...and wait for the perfect words to come.
Instead, start writing on any piece of paper that you can get. Let it be messy and ugly at first. You can always edit later. https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/creative-writing-prompts-when-you-don-t-know-what-to-write-about
How to give corrective feedback at work. Worth watching again and again
https://youtu.be/wtl5UrrgU8c
https://youtu.be/wtl5UrrgU8c
YouTube
The secret to giving great feedback | The Way We Work, a TED series
Humans have been coming up with ways to give constructive criticism for centuries, but somehow we're still pretty terrible at it. Cognitive psychologist LeeAnn Renniger shares a scientifically proven method for giving effective feedback.
The Way We Work…
The Way We Work…
The exercise that I have been doing lately to align with my focus, which is "relationships". Watch the full video and find the link to the article here https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/competition-narcissism-and-other-bad-words
community.nataliatokar.me
Competition, narcissism, and other "bad" words we prefer not to say in our first language or to ourselves. The practice of understanding…
[output 19.MP4]
Here is an excerpt that I quoted in the video:
Seeing life as a zero-sum game in which they can only win if someone else loses, narcissists continually work to undermine and one-up those around them, while asserting their superiorit...
Here is an excerpt that I quoted in the video:
Seeing life as a zero-sum game in which they can only win if someone else loses, narcissists continually work to undermine and one-up those around them, while asserting their superiorit...
If you're wondering what Deliberate, Sustainable, Well-Structured, and Creative Practice routine looks like, watch this video https://youtu.be/AYyIKVafEg0
YouTube
Deliberate• Sustainable• Well structured• Creative Practice Routine for advanced learners of English
Let's deconstruct each word in this word combination.
All the courses and programs you see are for BEGINNERS and the struggles of advanced-level students 00:00 - 9:40
What is deliberate? 9:40 - 18:00
What is sustainable? 18:01 - 24:22
What is well-structured?…
All the courses and programs you see are for BEGINNERS and the struggles of advanced-level students 00:00 - 9:40
What is deliberate? 9:40 - 18:00
What is sustainable? 18:01 - 24:22
What is well-structured?…
How do you connect your ideas in English to achieve clarity, consistency, and flow?
I identify 5 levels of Clarity, and I need to master all of them to tell better stories and communicate with more clarity.
➡️1. Precise wording. Instead of 10 similar words, I need one precise word for what I mean to say. Instead of ❌"We had something with meat on grill" I wanna say ✅"We had grilled chicken skewers".
➡️2. Strong verbs and adjectives. See my previous posts with exercises to practice using better verbs. Instead of ❌"I said to him that my boss had said we all need to be at the meeting", I wanna rather say ✅"I repeated to him that the boss had reminded all of us to show up at the meeting" This is more precise and more clear.
➡️3. Structure. I can't demonstrate this one in just one sentence. By "structure" I mean sentence structure (I posted examples of run-on sentences earlier), paragraph structure, the structure of answering important questions and delivering ideas (for example, job interview questions and business presentations). Join teh space SPRINTs! in our Community to SEE how people work in structure. You wanna see it and try for yourself.
➡️4. Connecting your ideas. That's what this post is about. Listen to the whole message and do the exercise in our Community of Practice. The post is Public.
The new SPRINT! to master LEVEL #4 begins on May 29, 2022.
➡️5. Intonations. Probably, the most difficult level for non-native speakers. You need to understand the rhythm of English, the attitude, the chunks, the pauses , and the intentions... We begin the SPRINT! on May 16, 2022, and we will learn the exercises to understand other people's intentions as well as communicate our own with clarity and kindness.
Practice telling stories in English out loud to see if you can connect your ideas. record yourself to give yourself feedback. Don't be afraid to iterate and record again. When you practice storytelling in English only in your head, you hinder your own progress because you aren't in touch with the reality.
If you want to join collective practice, you can choose to join any of the SPRINTs! above or purchase all of them in one bundle. If you want to participate in real time, consider joining SPRINTs Level #4 and Level #5. (April 29 and May 16, 2022)
You will find them on our Scheudle page https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/calendar
I identify 5 levels of Clarity, and I need to master all of them to tell better stories and communicate with more clarity.
➡️1. Precise wording. Instead of 10 similar words, I need one precise word for what I mean to say. Instead of ❌"We had something with meat on grill" I wanna say ✅"We had grilled chicken skewers".
➡️2. Strong verbs and adjectives. See my previous posts with exercises to practice using better verbs. Instead of ❌"I said to him that my boss had said we all need to be at the meeting", I wanna rather say ✅"I repeated to him that the boss had reminded all of us to show up at the meeting" This is more precise and more clear.
➡️3. Structure. I can't demonstrate this one in just one sentence. By "structure" I mean sentence structure (I posted examples of run-on sentences earlier), paragraph structure, the structure of answering important questions and delivering ideas (for example, job interview questions and business presentations). Join teh space SPRINTs! in our Community to SEE how people work in structure. You wanna see it and try for yourself.
➡️4. Connecting your ideas. That's what this post is about. Listen to the whole message and do the exercise in our Community of Practice. The post is Public.
The new SPRINT! to master LEVEL #4 begins on May 29, 2022.
➡️5. Intonations. Probably, the most difficult level for non-native speakers. You need to understand the rhythm of English, the attitude, the chunks, the pauses , and the intentions... We begin the SPRINT! on May 16, 2022, and we will learn the exercises to understand other people's intentions as well as communicate our own with clarity and kindness.
Practice telling stories in English out loud to see if you can connect your ideas. record yourself to give yourself feedback. Don't be afraid to iterate and record again. When you practice storytelling in English only in your head, you hinder your own progress because you aren't in touch with the reality.
If you want to join collective practice, you can choose to join any of the SPRINTs! above or purchase all of them in one bundle. If you want to participate in real time, consider joining SPRINTs Level #4 and Level #5. (April 29 and May 16, 2022)
You will find them on our Scheudle page https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/calendar
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
The full audio is available in the Community of Practice - https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/deliberate-practice-of-structuring-your-message
Thought of the day: You can't really help someone if you're hurting yourself in the process
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”
- G.K. Chesterton
- G.K. Chesterton
FREE content in the Community of Practice.
A creative exercise for everyone who wants to learn to improve their Listening Skills in English.
FOCUS: intensive listening, vocabulaty, and self-correction
See my process and try it yourself. It will take you 16 min to listen to the explanation, 7:30 min to listen to the audio , and ? min to take vocabulary notes. Let me know in the comments how long it took you. https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/do-this-exercise-to-improve-your-listening-skills-and-build-your-vocabulary-for-coaches-who-want-to-work-with-english-speaking-clients-and-for-everyone-who-is-learning-to-tell-their-story-in-english
A creative exercise for everyone who wants to learn to improve their Listening Skills in English.
FOCUS: intensive listening, vocabulaty, and self-correction
See my process and try it yourself. It will take you 16 min to listen to the explanation, 7:30 min to listen to the audio , and ? min to take vocabulary notes. Let me know in the comments how long it took you. https://community.nataliatokar.me/c/ask-anything/do-this-exercise-to-improve-your-listening-skills-and-build-your-vocabulary-for-coaches-who-want-to-work-with-english-speaking-clients-and-for-everyone-who-is-learning-to-tell-their-story-in-english
community.nataliatokar.me
Do this exercise to improve your Listening Skills and Build Your Vocabulary. (For coaches who want to work with English-speaking…
You can listen to instructions and follow my process in the video above. The screen changes a few times when I look up the words in the dictionary.
It took me 15 min actually (7 min of listening and 8 min of working with words)
If I don't explai...
You can listen to instructions and follow my process in the video above. The screen changes a few times when I look up the words in the dictionary.
It took me 15 min actually (7 min of listening and 8 min of working with words)
If I don't explai...
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ”― Alvin Toffler