Learn Dutch in 6 months!
with the F.A.S.T. method
The F.A.S.T. method
This diagram encapsulates everything that
the F.A.S.T. method stands for!
Let’s take it step by step.
F stands for Fundamentals based
With the F.A.S.T. method you’ll focus on the fundamentals. Since you are learning the language because you have a specific need to cover, whether that need is of high importance or not, you’ll focus on setting good foundations and learning what’s necessary. You’ll begin learning the language with the basics, because these basics are what is important in the beginning. For example, in Dutch, when you wish to introduce yourself to someone and your name is Maria, you need to know the phrase, “Ik ben Maria”. That’s what we call basic. Learning the infinitive of the verb ‘to be’ is useful, but not more useful than the first person: Ik ben. Another example is to cultivate the ability to have a general, practical sense of what people are saying and, later on, to focus on understanding 100%, word for word, what those people said.
This is how it’s done with other things in life as well. We always start with the more general knowledge of a subject before we go deeper into it. We later comprehend its intricacies and become specialists. Where is the meaning of knowing how to conjugate a verb and not knowing how to form a sentence that is relevant to you? Where is the essence of learning the exceptions of a rule if we can’t even use the rule itself?
A stands for Adult-specific
The F.A.S.T. method is addressed to adults. Adults are usually more ready to take on the responsibility of reaching their targets and of the amount of studying required. In contrast to a child or a teenager, who will need the supervision of a parent, adults can commit to these 3 to 6 hours of study time per week in order to learn a new language. They also have the life motivations to do so.
The content of the educational material includes the current news and business subjects that our students are most interested in; activities that are relevant to our adult lives. As an adult, you already have an understanding of the learning process, something that a child has not yet mastered. This is the reason why you can learn faster as an adult than when you were a child.
S stands for Stimulating
Yes, our students are excited about the F.A.S.T. method!
Our teachers relish the fact that our students are genuinely interested in our materials, ask probing questions, are encouraged to share their experiences, and often want to study more. It’s also great for students to feel encouraged by their teachers and to strengthen the parts of the language that need attention. As a student you’ll feel activated by a learning method that is different, far from boring, and happy that you have found what you’ve been looking for. We want to make our students feel unique and not transparent like you might feel in a class of many students and multiple mother tongues.
Successful teachers must, as priority, help their students love what they learn. Rather than the lessons being tiring, they will become a fuel that will raise your energy levels and help your day run smoothly!. This is true for student and teacher. Our language center is not named Language and Motivation by accident!
We prove everyday, with all aspects of our work, that our approach encourages and strengthens our students. We’ve got that mental state, we’ve got the tools to do it and the only piece of the puzzle left is that characteristic of the student that will help them believe that they can do it. This is how everyday miracles happen!
T stands for Tailor made
If you keep going F.A.S.T. you won’t fall off.
-Noam Chomsky
The F.A.S.T. method uses a set of practices that put the student in an active role and drive them to discover the language.
More specifically, a few characteristics of the method:
- It borrows elements from the Flipped classroom teaching model in which the student is active, and the role of the teacher is limited to guidance, encouragement and assistance where appropriate.
- During each lesson, priority is given to oral production. The student would talk with the teacher for about an hour if they (properly) prepared the activities before the lesson.
- The student discovers the language, without being taught in detail everything related to it. They infer the grammar and syntax through the active learning.
- Language Structure Acquisition begins from the very first lesson in which the student studies newspaper articles of a certain word-length.
- The vocabulary focuses on development of social, professional, and success competences. It serves the needs and goals of each student. Everyone speaks freely without limiting themselves to the vocabulary that a book dictates for each lesson.
- Learning the correct pronunciation is achieved through tongue twisters in the second lesson and speech recognition technology.
- Part of the educational material used instead of books is past exam papers. Through those papers, the student develops clear communication skills they will need in real life.
- Grammar is limited. We learn to ride a bike without knowing any of the mechanics or a child learns to speak their mother tongue before they even know any grammar rules. Just like that, we guide the student to learn properly while saving valuable time spent teaching traditional grammar.
What our students wrote
Marcus M.,
Harry S.
Evgenia K.
Nikolaos Ch.
Clara C.
Fani K.
Don’t just take our word for it
