Polish is not easy to learn. Our main objective in developing a method for teaching a difficult language is: to teach in an effective and interesting way.

1. TEACHING IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY
What all students first of all expect from the course is the result – they want to learn Polish. This is why the result of the didactic process – the answer to the question whether the course has fulfilled the students’ expectations and needs – is so important. What counts is the gained skills and reaching the target level of the knowledge of Polish which was determined at the beginning of the course.
How does our method help to achieve these goals?

* At the beginning of each course students take a placement test which consists of a written part and an oral one. There is a short interview to define the student’s needs – he or she answers such important questions as: why do you want to learn Polish? which skills are the most important for you? what are your expectations?, etc.
The results of the test and the needs analysis serve as the basis to choose an appropriate course type.
Beginners do not write any test but they take part in the needs analysis.
* We teach in very small groups – a maximum of 5 persons!!!, thanks to which we can tailor the teaching programme to the individual needs of EVERY student.
* On the basis of the students’ needs we prepare our teaching programs for groups at different levels of proficiency. Each program assumes developing all language skills but the students’ needs are our priority. We emphasize SPEAKING – most of the learners first of all want to SPEAK Polish. However, effective communication in Polish won’t be possible without knowledge of grammar.
This is why we combine the development of all language skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening) with teaching various language elements (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling).
* We constantly monitor the didactic process: during the course we conduct surveys in which students express their opinions about the course, progress tests and observations of our teachers.
At the end of each course, students write a final test. On the basis of the results of this test and all the tests conducted during the course we prepare a progress report for every student. It describes the student’s progress for every language skill and also includes the teacher’s guidelines as to further learning.

2. TEACHING IN AN INTERESTING WAY
Apart from the result of teaching it is also the MEANS that count – the answer to the question of HOW to teach. On the basis of our students’ expectations we design an interesting programme and decide on its content. We concentrate on the question WHAT to teach but also HOW to do it.
Our method provides answers to these questions:

* We make the best of the lesson time. Thanks to the small class size each student has the opportunity to take an active part in the lesson. We expect that our students participate in classes and we know how to motivate them to do their homework.
* From the very lowest levels we speak Polish only. We provide authentic communicative situations for the participants concentrating on the development of all language skills.
* We care about making our lessons interesting. Polish is difficult – there’s nothing to be done – but with us for sure it’s always fun!
We use communicative methods and we pay attention to constant revision of the new material.
During lessons we often use didactic materials prepared by ourselves – there are games, drawing, singing and fun.
* We use authentic materials such as Polish newspapers, films or TV programmes. We emphasize contact with the living language.
The classroom sometimes becomes a shop, sometimes a restaurant, cinema, the doctor’s office or a street.
* The course is enriched with a cultural programme – during our evening meetings you can take part in a Polish wedding, find out how to prepare “pierogi” and explore Krakow.
* All our programmes are based on generally accepted language levels (see table below). We use approved and proven course books supported with our own materials.

WE GUARANTEE INTERESTING AND FRUITFUL LEARNING!