Got it wrong? Well done!
At the University of Groningen Language Centre, we encourage you to make mistakes! Because when you mispronounce a word, structure a sentence slightly differently or momentarily cannot remember which article to use, you are actually speaking, trying and learning. And next time, you’ll do a bit better.
That is why speaking and interaction are at the heart of our lessons, with our teachers always creating a safe and motivating learning environment.
Got it wrong? Well done! Come along. Dare to make mistakes.
I believe a safe classroom is one where students know that mistakes are welcomed rather than judged. I celebrate effort, curiosity and the willingness to try.
Mohamed Khalil, teacher of Arabic at the Language Centre
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'One example I often use is the Arabic pronunciation of the letters ح (ḥ) and ه (h). Many beginners pronounce them the same way, but they have different sounds and can completely change the meaning of a word. Students are often hesitant because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. Instead of correcting them immediately, I encourage them to keep talking first. Afterwards, we explore the difference together, and those moments usually become the ones they remember best.' |
The most rewarding moment for me is when a student says, "I never thought I could have a conversation in Italian, but now I can." That confidence is far more important than speaking perfectly.
Clelia Richters Teodoro, teacher of Italian at the Language Centre
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'One of my favourite examples happens when students learn the past tense. They often want to tell me they've finished an exercise and proudly say, "Sono finito!" Unfortunately, in Italian, that literally means "I'm dead" or "I'm finished" in the sense that you're done for! What they actually mean is "Ho finito" ("I've finished"). I always smile and reply, "Mi dispiace che sei morto!" ("I'm sorry that you're dead!"). We all laugh, and I can guarantee that from that moment on, they never confuse the two expressions again. It's a perfect example of how humour turns a mistake into a lesson that students remember.' |
Want to make mistakes too?
Whether you are learning a language from scratch or can already get by quite well, at the Language Centre you will have the chance to practise, improve and, above all, speak a lot.
▸Take a look at our range of languages and find out which course suits you best.
