Language coach
Experiential Learning with Albert Both
Happiness Express caught up with Albert Both, Amsterdam-based language coach, words wizard and energizing inspirator for speaking great Dutch and English.
What interests you about language learning?
Language gives you freedom. Through learning a new language you become more aware of your own language and the words you are using. You see it from a new perspective and so you learn to embrace differences.
People think that learning a language is about vocabulary and grammar, but it’s really about looking at things with new eyes.
Learning is about experiencing. I use every day scenarios and real-life emotions. The richer the experience and the more personally relevant it is, the more likely it will stay with you.
Some people say that they want to learn a language so that they can show off their expertise, but it’s not really about showing off, it’s more to do with reaching and expressing your full potential. A bird that is locked in a cage simply wants to fly. It’s natural.
What is your approach to learning?
I am a guide, a facilitator, who works with the reactions and responses of the learners. I can’t teach you in a very directive manner, I can only put information in such a way that makes it interesting and necessary for you to draw your own conclusions. In this way the motivation to learn is increased. A curious mind is open to receive information. I believe that learning should be an adventure, not an isolated, studious task.
My approach is to make learning fun, to encourage learning. People often like to be perfect and will shy away from doing anything that makes them seem less than perfect. But taking such a serious view only slows down their learning. So I have learners sign a contract stating that they will make 65,000 mistakes during their language course with me. This gives permission to fail and still progress and so increases the openness of the mind to learning.
How do people benefit from learning?
Learning makes you feel good. You see your own talents expressed. And language directs your awareness towards the effectiveness of your communication, making it easier and more enjoyable for you to interact with others.
Learning a language gives you a sense of control and opens up new possibilities for you. It helps you see the diversity in life.
Often the frustrations and difficulties associated with learning are mirrored in other areas of your life. Once you overcome these obstacles in a language course, you often find that other aspects of life are much easier to deal with. In this way learning a language has a lot in common with life coaching.
When you share experiences in a group there is a great sense of camaraderie. It can be a wonderful equaliser as each person realises that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The group provides support, connection and a sense of belonging.
What are the main barriers to learning?
Fear of how difficult the learning will be is often the main obstacle for people to overcome. The mind wants to keep everything the same, to take the path of least resistance, and so it seems easier not to learn. That way you don’t have to expose what you don’t know. But by removing the need for perfection (remember... 65,000 mistakes!) and embracing doubt and uncertainty, I provide a way forward.
Sometimes people avoid taking responsibility for their own development and lay blame on an employer who won’t fund the learning. But we’re each the master of our own life and we can chose to invest in it or not. When you leave the company you take the learning with you. So it’s really about you at the end of the day.
What are your top three tips for learning?
1. Be open. Open to new things, willing to question what you already know. Allow yourself to be humble.
2. Invest in yourself. Make time for learning. Give it priority. Realise that it’s up to you to learn and to benefit from it in your life.
3. Experience it. Really live the learning. It’s not a mental, rational thing. You have to feel it.
Any recommended resources for learning?
· Accelerated Learning by Colin Rose
· Release Technique for building awareness and understanding
· Free eBook ‘Why you hate learning Dutch and 7 secrets to change it’
· Free Workshop ‘Finding Dutch Flow’
Learn more...
Albert brainwashes people by giving them a refreshing experience. He’ll help you to cleanse your mind of previous negative assumptions and limiting beliefs. And so learning becomes much easier. Experience Albert’s innovative approach to learning at Talencoach.
[April 2011]
Top Tips for Learning
Quotes on Learning
Article: School of Life