Brain-centred learning in action
Our students may not realise it, but Regina Coeli applies the six ‘brain principles’* as much as possible when designing language training courses. You can read more about these brain principles in this blog article. By applying the six brain principles, Regina Coeli helps ensure that your brain can function optimally when learning a foreign language.
Focus
By setting your learning goals, you determine your own focus. This ensures that you work towards your goal in a focused manner instead of taking all sorts of side steps. You do this in partnership with your trainers. The language institute is a tranquil environment, and we keep distractions to a minimum so you can focus on learning the language. We also provide plenty of fresh food and beverages and space to go outside for a breath of fresh air—after all, hunger, thirst and too little fresh air drain your brain!
Build upon
When you start your training at Regina Coeli, you almost never start from scratch. The language trainers build upon your existing knowledge from the very first lesson. We do not address things you already know nor things you would logically be familiar with, because they are the same as in a language you already speak. We just point them out to you. It is nice and efficient! We also see to it that the lessons take on a logical pattern: where one language trainer ends, the next continues.
Repeat
Repetition is extremely important, but it need not be mind-numbing! New subject matter gets practiced in a range of ways in your lessons, and then you take it a step further by doing an e-learning or independent study assignment. Many vocabulary exercises are structured so that you see a word several times in different contexts. We also incorporate enough variety into the programme to give your brain the rest it needs, including breaks between lessons.
Use all senses
Learning a language at Regina Coeli is much more than just memorising words. We encourage you to use all your senses to maximise your exposure to the language. You actively engage with the material during your lessons and study hours—you write, talk, listen, take walks, study in the garden. And then there are the language tables, where you speak the language you are learning over a meal. We incorporate as many modes of interaction as possible. Moreover, you receive your trainer’s undivided attention in your lessons.
Emotion
While you will not find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster at Regina Coeli, there is no denying that the training can be intense at times, even emotionally. For instance, you may experience a bit of stress because you only have a short time to complete an assignment. Fortunately, the trainers give you targeted compliments alongside your most important points for improvement while they maintain momentum; each lesson builds upon the previous ones so that at the end of the day, you have always taken a step forward.
Creation
Creating something during a language course—how would that work? Well, you will not be painting any masterpieces, but by doing all sorts of assignments that suit you, such as making a word web or role-playing, you will be engaged in creation. Have a look, for example, at the YouTube video of Brecht learning German for her hospitality course and pretending her trainer is a guest.
* Gerjanne Dirksen, founder of BreinCentraal Learning Institute (BCL Instituut), pioneered the six brain principles
Interested in following language training at Regina Coeli?
The Regina Coeli method ensures that you learn to speak a foreign language quickly and effectively. Our highly qualified trainers teach you the skills, vocabulary and grammar that you need for your specific situation so you can immediately start communicating in the language.
