At Start Smart English, our focus is on making learning English fun, engaging, and practical. By blending play, communication, and hands-on learning, we ensure that each student develops language skills that last a lifetime.
Why Our Method Works:
By combining these time-tested approaches, we create a classroom environment that is:
- Interactive: Students engage with the language through conversation, play, and real-world activities.
- Hands-On: Learning is not just about sitting at a desk; it’s about moving, creating, and experiencing.
- Natural: Language is learned in a low-stress environment, mimicking the natural way children acquire their first language.
- English Only: Many schools claim to teach only in English but still use Slovenian in lessons. At Start Smart English, we know true progress happens when students think and communicate only in English. That’s why our classes are 100% immersive—no Slovenian, no shortcuts!
How did Start Smart English come to be?
The inspiration behind my ESL courses began during my early years in education. Thirty years ago, during my college work experience at Reynold Street School in Cleethorpes, England, I witnessed the power of play-based learning. In this approach, children engage in playful activities and then reflect on their learning outcomes through writing. This method profoundly influenced my teaching philosophy, and I have carried these principles with me throughout my career.
Another significant aspect of my English schooling that has shaped my teaching is the “quiet corner”—a space where students could enjoy storytime or participate in dynamic, drama-based lessons. These cherished memories of interactive, imaginative learning continue to inspire the lessons I create today.
My ESL teaching journey began 10 years ago in Postojna, Slovenia, when a local mother approached me to help her daughter with English. What started with one student quickly grew into many. Eager to provide the best learning experience, I immersed myself in ESL teaching materials and completed online ESL courses, building my expertise as I taught from home. Over the years, I developed a unique teaching style that focuses on engaging, hands-on, and personalized lessons, tailored to the needs of each student.
In the beginning, I couldn’t speak any Slovenian, which meant I had to find creative ways to communicate with my students. I relied on actions, gestures, and visual aids to teach, which taught me the power of non-verbal communication and helped me develop a method where English is taught entirely in English. This experience reinforced my belief that learning through interaction and demonstration is incredibly effective.
Having always struggled to learn through reading alone, I understand the power of learning by doing. When teachers showed rather than told, my learning improved dramatically. This personal experience led me to adopt kinesthetic learning techniques, incorporating movement and hands-on activities into my lessons to help students internalise concepts more effectively.
In April 2023, I realised my dream of establishing my own classroom space and opened the doors to the Start Smart English classroom. This space gave me the freedom to fully implement my vision for creative, student-centered learning. I started with students I had been teaching from home, as well as those who had attended the free lessons I offered at a local youth centre over the summer. I transformed my years of experience and resources into structured courses that blend play-based learning with traditional methods, ensuring a well-rounded education.
Now in its second year, Start Smart English continues to grow. I’m proud to have retained all the students from the first year while welcoming new faces into our community. What began as a small, home-based practice has evolved into a thriving school, built on creativity, passion, and a deep commitment to helping students succeed.
Start Smart English Teaching Method: Engaging, Interactive, and Hands-On
At Start Smart English, we believe that the most effective way to learn a language is through a combination of interaction, play, and hands-on experiences in a natural learning environment. Our method blends several research-based educational approaches to create a dynamic, immersive classroom experience that caters to each student’s unique learning style. Here’s a look at the key methods we incorporate, along with the pioneers who developed them:
1. Play-Based Learning (Froebel and Montessori)
Our teaching is inspired by the play-based learning methods introduced by Friedrich Froebel, who is often credited as the founder of kindergarten. Froebel believed that play is the highest form of learning for young children, as it encourages creativity, exploration, and interaction with the world. We use play as a core part of our ESL teaching because it allows students to learn naturally and enjoyably, without the stress or pressure of formal instruction.
We also draw on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, who advocated for child-centred learning environments where students could learn through self-directed play and discovery. This approach supports students’ natural curiosity and gives them the freedom to engage with language in a way that feels intuitive and meaningful.
2. Communicative Language Teaching (Hymes and Canale)
Our ESL method emphasizes Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), which focuses on interaction and communication as the primary goals of learning a language. Developed by Dell Hymes and further refined by Michael Canale, CLT encourages students to use language in real-life contexts rather than focusing solely on grammar or written exercises. This means that in our classes, students engage in conversations, role-playing, and interactive activities that mirror real-world language use.
By focusing on communication, students gain confidence in speaking English and develop a more natural understanding of how the language is used in everyday situations.
3. Total Physical Response (Asher)
Another key element of our method is Total Physical Response (TPR), a language teaching technique developed by James Asher. TPR combines language learning with physical movement, which helps students internalize new vocabulary and grammar more effectively. By associating words with actions, students can remember language through muscle memory, making the learning process more interactive and fun.
For example, in our classes, students might learn action words like “jump,” “run,” or “sit” by physically performing the actions as they hear the words, reinforcing their comprehension and retention.
4. Experiential Learning (Kolb)
We believe that learning by doing is one of the most effective ways to acquire new skills, which is why we incorporate Experiential Learning, a method pioneered by David Kolb. Kolb’s theory emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences in education, where learners actively engage with the material and reflect on their experiences.
In our ESL classes, we create opportunities for students to interact with language in real-world contexts, whether through games, role-play, or practical activities like cooking or crafting. These experiences help students apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways, deepening their understanding of English through personal experience.
5. Natural Approach (Krashen and Terrell)
Our teaching method is also influenced by the Natural Approach, developed by Stephen Krashen and Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on providing a low-stress, immersive environment where students are exposed to comprehensible input—language that is just slightly above their current level of understanding.
We believe in creating a relaxed, supportive environment where students can gradually build their language skills without fear of making mistakes. By surrounding students with spoken English in everyday situations and ensuring they understand most of what they hear, we help them acquire language in a way that mirrors how they learned their first language.
6. Kinesthetic Learning (Gardner)
Understanding that every student has a unique learning style, we incorporate Kinesthetic Learning, as described by Howard Gardner in his theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner’s work emphasizes that some students learn best through movement and physical activities.
In our classroom, we incorporate movement-based activities, from games to creative tasks, to help kinesthetic learners absorb the language more effectively. This hands-on approach keeps students engaged and ensures that all learning styles are catered to.
Why Small Class Sizes Are Crucial for Learning English
At Start Smart English, we’ve set a class limit of 8 students. This decision is based on research that shows small class sizes are crucial for effective language acquisition, particularly when classes are conducted entirely in English. Here’s why our small, immersive classroom environment offers the best conditions for learning:
1. Maximized Interaction and Communication
Language acquisition thrives on interaction. According to research by Mackey and Gass (2006), frequent and meaningful interaction is one of the most critical factors in learning a second language. In small classes, students have more opportunities to speak, ask questions, and engage in real conversations in English. With only 8 students per class, everyone gets their turn to actively participate and practice speaking, ensuring that each learner is engaged.
2. Personalized Attention and Feedback
In a fully immersive English classroom, students often need extra support to ensure they understand instructions and lesson content. Small classes allow for personalized attention, and research from Lightbown and Spada (2013) shows that individualized feedback is essential for helping language learners progress. In a class of 8, I can closely monitor each student’s comprehension and step in to provide immediate clarification, ensuring no one falls behind.
3. Reduced Anxiety and Increased Confidence
For many learners, immersion in a new language can feel intimidating, especially in larger groups where they might hesitate to speak up. Ur (1996) found that smaller class sizes (around 8–10 students) create a more comfortable, less intimidating environment, making students more willing to take risks with the language. When students feel safe making mistakes, they gain confidence, which is critical for improving their speaking and comprehension skills.
4. Supportive Immersive Environment
In our classes, English is the only language spoken. Immersive language learning can be challenging, particularly for beginners, but small class sizes make it easier to manage. Research from Krashen (1982) emphasizes the importance of input and interaction in a language that learners can understand. In smaller groups, I can tailor the pace and level of instruction to ensure that each student is receiving the right amount of support while they navigate a fully English-speaking environment.
5. Greater Opportunities for Practice
In larger classes, students often have less time to practice speaking or receive individualized attention from the teacher. Studies like the Tennessee STAR Project (1985-1989) have shown that smaller classes significantly improve academic outcomes by allowing more personalized instruction. In language learning, especially, more opportunities to practice speaking and listening directly correlate with faster progress.
By limiting our class sizes to 8 students, we create a focused, interactive, and supportive environment where learners can thrive. With more speaking opportunities, personalized feedback, and a fully immersive English experience, our students build confidence and improve their language skills more quickly and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do students need to speak any English before joining?
No, students do not need any prior knowledge of English to join. Our classes cater to all levels, from absolute beginners to more advanced learners. We use interactive and immersive methods to help students pick up English naturally, no matter their starting point.
2. What can I expect in a typical lesson?
In every lesson, students engage in a variety of activities designed to promote speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. We use games, role-play, hands-on activities, and storytelling to create a dynamic learning environment. Our goal is to make learning fun and interactive, so students are always actively participating and engaged in using English.
3. Why is the class size limited to 8 students?
Our small class size allows for personalized attention, ensuring that each student gets the opportunity to speak, participate, and receive feedback. Small classes also foster a more intimate, relaxed atmosphere, which is essential for building confidence in speaking English—especially in an immersive environment where only English is spoken.
4. How do you teach English to students of different proficiency levels?
We differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each student. Activities are designed to be adaptable, so whether a student is just beginning to learn English or is more advanced, they’ll find the lessons engaging and appropriately challenging. We also use group work and pair activities to encourage collaboration between students of different levels, which promotes peer learning.
5. What age groups do you teach?
We offer courses for a variety of age groups, from young children to teenagers. Each course is tailored to the developmental and linguistic needs of the specific age group, ensuring that lessons are age-appropriate and effective.
6. How do you handle children who are shy or hesitant to speak English?
We understand that some students may feel shy or nervous when learning a new language, especially in an immersive English environment. Our small class size and supportive, play-based approach help create a low-pressure atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks. We encourage participation through fun, interactive activities that allow students to gradually build their confidence in speaking English.
7. How much homework can students expect?
We believe in reinforcing learning outside of the classroom, but we also understand the importance of balance. We don’t give homework to the students but we do recommend practising the vocabulary in real-life situations, or that the students watch their favourite show in the English language.
8. How do you measure student progress?
We track each student’s progress through ongoing assessments, observations, and participation in class activities. Students receive regular feedback, and parents are kept informed about their child’s development. Rather than relying on formal tests, we focus on practical, everyday use of English and personal growth in language ability.
9. Do you offer trial lessons?
Yes! We encourage new students to try a lesson. This gives them a chance to experience our teaching style and the learning environment before committing to a course. You only pay if you decide to sign up for the course.
10. How do I enrol my child in a course?
Enrolling your child is simple! You can sign up through our website, contact us directly by phone or email, or schedule a visit to our classroom. We’re happy to answer any questions and guide you through the enrollment process.
English Unlocks Their Future