Speaker: Lewis jenkins
Please introduce yourself and tell us what inspired you to join Learn&Co. What were your goals or dreams when you started?
Lewis jenkins: Hi, my name is Lewis I started my journey with Learn&Co around three months ago. My goal was to converse and speak basic French, within a six month, deadline, um, working as an office manager. Um, my part of my job role is to work with other affiliates including our front office. And that would entail me understanding the basic French so we can gain a better relationship. Learn&Co helped me a lot. Um, even though we're up to 10 lessons, I feel like I'm at a point where I can converse very lightly in French, I can understand French and most of all I can read French, um, which is a big part because, um, receiving invoices from our French office is very hard to understand and I usually have to gain help to understand it. So it's actually really nice now to understand the basic meaning of it. Even if I do have to gain a bit more advice.
Which language course or trip did you experience with us, and how has it impacted your life so far?
Lewis jenkins: So the course I chose was French. Um I have been doing lessons for the past three months and feel quite confident in reading and doing the basic talking in French. Um We have a lot of French colleagues in my office, so it actually feels really nice to understand the basics of what they're talking about and actually speak to them in the kitchen whilst not making a cup of tea. Um It's given me a lot of confidence, I think understanding French whilst I'm in France, um I can read signs directions. Um These are really useful skills, not just for the business, but for life skills. Um And I couldn't have done that without Learn&Co.
Could you say something in your new language?
Lewis jenkins: Something I say quite often in my new language, which I say in my mother language, quite a lot is ... because I'm always hungry. I'm always looking for food. I'm always a snacker. So this is so handy to know whilst I'm in Paris. Um at our French office. Um Another one that I like to use whilst we're out for dinner. I always look at the menu and try and order something that I wouldn't normally order to try and experience more of the French culture. Um But when it comes down to the evening drinks, I will always order a bottle of wine. So I would say ... Um And that would be me asking for my favorite, favorite white wine.
What did you love most about learning with Learn&Co? Was there a standout moment?
Lewis jenkins: I think what I loved most about Learn&Co is how easy it is to learn. Um There's not really anything that I struggled with in terms of um finding complicated ways or everything's very virtual, you can do them face to face. Um There's so many alternative ways of learning and they give you that bit extra um having a good relationship with your teacher as well. Um is a massive part that's played within my learning journey. Um We have a good relationship. We laugh, we joke. Um you know, we, we catch up like after the weekend and talk about what we've had on the weekend and we will sometimes convey in French, we will sometimes convey in English. And I think splitting between those two really helps you and helps you feel more comfortable and just allows you to be more vulnerable. Um which helps me a lot. I think one of the things about learning a different language is your vulnerability of not thinking, you're not saying the right things the right way. And I think having a good relationship with your teacher, they, they will correct you. They're not afraid to correct you. In there but you laugh about it and I think that's a really, really nice thing because it's the kind of in it with you. Um So you feel like you're kind of learning together, which is, I think is a really stand out moment for, for this learning journey.
What would you say to someone considering joining Learn&Co?”
Lewis jenkins: I think something I would say for anybody who wants to join Learn&Co and this journey of learning a new language is really throw yourself into it. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Um Really ask all the stupid questions and take everything that your teacher gives you. Even if it's the smaller stuff that is your homework. Um Don't just take away the stuff you have in your lesson and take away the stuff that you've got given as homework. Um get creative. And one of the things that my teacher taught me was to watch Disney films in French because your brain at this time of learning is like a child learning a new language. And obviously Children watch a lot of Disney films because it's simplified talking. So I think it's really important like watching things in French so that you can understand it more surround yourself, really embellish in the culture um in whatever language it is you're learning. And I think that is probably one of the things that you should definitely definitely take on board when you start your journey, learning a new language.
