The first time I heard about “positive mindset” was in a workshop at the English institute where I worked for many years*. The teacher who was offering the workshop mentioned this simple practice of adding “YET” to the negative sentences that students normally say: I can’t speak fluently YET, I don’t understand YET, etc.
I was surprised by the simplicity and potential of this practice and decided to learn more about positive mindset and bring it into my classes.
A lot of the skills that this practice promotes are shared with Yoga: acceptance, gratitude, awareness. So, my English for Yoga classes became the perfect scenario to develop this, since my students are all familiar with these practices.
In spite of this, for many years the teaching of English was so rigid, so colonial, so grammar-focused and teacher-centred that many of my students were traumatized with their experiences studying English at school, institutes, with private teachers, etc.
Luckily, English teaching has changed and now it’s more communication-centred and promotes diversity. In my classes you will not learn a specific accent, you will learn to communicate with your own accent.
And getting back to the positive mindset: can you imagine how different your English learning can be if you approached it with optimism and gratitude?
I know speaking other languages makes us feel vulnerable and fear of being ridiculous, so find a safe space and a kind teacher to study English.
You are always welcome in my classes!
Sending you lots of love,
Amalia
