Our Teaching Method

I primarily use the natural method, also known as the direct method or—in marketing terms—the Callan Method. Its pioneer is considered to be French linguist François Gouin, who developed his approach through observing and analyzing how children acquire (rather than "learn") their native language. According to Gouin, language teaching is based on natural context and conversation between teacher and student, similar to the parent-child relationship. Gouin believed that unlike the grammar-translation method, language learning is possible without the need for translation and detailed analysis of individual grammatical rules. Nevertheless, traditional methods can also be incorporated into the learning process depending on students' individual needs.

In lessons using the direct method, use of the native language is minimal and reserved practically only for introducing new vocabulary, although even in this situation it can sometimes be avoided and replaced with, for example, gestures or visual presentations. This makes learning not only more interesting—because everyone remembers the tedious hours poring over textbooks and grammar rules from school—but also much more effective. It's estimated that during a 50-minute lesson using this method, a student hears approximately 10,000 words in the target language and speaks roughly the same amount. No other method can provide such a learning pace. It's estimated that when learning with the direct method, we can acquire a language approximately 4 times faster than with any other approach.

During lessons, the instructor doesn't address students in an artificial way by slowing down their speech, but speaks exactly as a TV presenter or shop assistant would. This means the student not only must concentrate on what the instructor is saying, but also doesn't have time to translate what they heard, because immediately after hearing a question they must answer it. To learn English fluently, you need to develop speech comprehension at a speed of approximately 180 words per minute.

One of the most important advantages is considered to be very high effectiveness in overcoming shyness while speaking, a problem that affects the vast majority of foreign language learners. In the direct method, over 90% of time is spent on oral work. From the very first lesson, the student is required to speak, which helps them quickly overcome their fear.

We can answer a question with a question: do children eventually start speaking their language? With this method, we learn a language exactly as they do, in the sequence: ear – mouth – eye – hand. First we hear what someone says to us, then we repeat it, and only then do we learn letters (spelling) and learn to write.

Everyone has heard of children who start forming their first sentences after completing their first year of life, as well as those who only begin speaking their first words at age 2, 3, or even 4. In other words, it's a very individual matter and depends on at least several factors. Primarily on how much and how often we hear the given language—which is why it's also important not to limit yourself only to the course, but to supplement it with learning at home, in the car, and in every other possible situation—then how much effort we put in, and finally what's called talent or linguistic aptitude. Although there's no definitive answer to this question, it can be said that most students after a year of study are able to handle ordinary situations like shopping, ordering a meal in a restaurant, or communicating on simple topics during holidays abroad.

Each session is divided into two parts. The first is a review lesson, whose purpose is to reinforce recently learned material, while the second introduces new content. Vocabulary is learned through questions and answers. The instructor asks a question—the student answers. Over time, as proficiency increases, students are also asked to construct questions, which are answered by either other students or the instructor. Each component section ends with a test.