Coaching

A language and culture learning coach provides encouragement, accountability, and support to learners.   Coaches work closely with learners to help them identify areas of strength and weakness, set realistic goals, choose interesting lessons and activities, troubleshoot difficulties, and track progress as proficiency develops.

Some essential characteristics of a good language and culture learning coach include:

• strong people skills
• a love of languages and experience in learning one or more languages
• knowledge of a wide range of language learning strategies and techniques
• ability to assess difficulties and troubleshoot
• ability to motivate and inspire the learner to stretch beyond his current comfort zone
• ablity to help a learner set realistic goals
• up-to-date on new tools and technologies that assist language and culture learning

SIL consultants help recruit and train new coaches to work with language learners in different areas of the world.