Language Acquisition

Training and Coaching

We offer skills-based training and follow-up support to both language learners and language coaches in a fresh, personal and flexible way.

About

Who We Are

We are…

  • Passionate about helping cross-cultural workers become effective communicators.
  • Knowledgeable language acquisition trainers/coaches.
  • Highly experienced language and culture learners.

What We Do

We provide courses and coaching for…

  • Language learners that equip you with the knowledge, skills, resources and mindset needed for learning a language effectively.
  • Language coaches that equip you with the knowledge, skills, resources and mindset needed to competently advise and encourage learners.

Why We Exist

To be successful…

  • Language learners need skills and follow-up coaching to apply those skills effectively. Our courses for learners provide both.

  • Language coaches need knowledge, skills, practice, and follow-up mentoring to be an effective coach. Follow-up mentoring is included with all of our coach courses.

Founders

Andrea Warren

Founder, Course Facilitator,
Coach Trainer and Mentor, Course Administrator

  • Graduated with a degree in TESOL/Russian
  • Has studied 9 languages using a variety of methods
  • Studied languages in many places, including the Czech Republic, Russia, and East Asia
  • Has 7+ years in coaching language learners and more recently training coaches
  • Loves working with language learners, learning languages, and engaging with people of other cultures

Carol Lewis

Founder, Course Developer and Facilitator,
Coach Trainer and Mentor

  • Served in long-term assignments in Uganda, Ukraine, and Russia using local languages
  • Understands the unique challenges and joys of language learning
  • Has 17 years of experience training and coaching language learners
  • Is passionate about helping language learners succeed
  • Is committed to helping language coaches become more effective at helping learners!

Learners

To learn a language in a cross-cultural context you’ll need unique skills and a learner’s mindset to be effective at it. One of the best ways to prepare for the task is to take a second language acquisition course. Even learners who attend language schools will find that training will make a big difference in both their ability to learn effectively during their formal classes as well as teach them how to continue learning after their program is over.

Skills for Effective Language Learning (SELL)

(Language acquisition course for new learners)

SELL, a 10-lesson course, uses a blended learning approach that incorporates self-directed learning activities and live Zoom calls. You will gain the knowledge, strategies, skills and mindset for carrying out language learning in a cross-cultural context. Lessons are personalized to fit your learning style and unique learning context. You’ll also be assigned a language coach for during and after the course.

  • Half-Course: $775

    • Lessons 1-5

    • For workers expecting to serve 2 years or less

  • Full-Course: $1,200

    • Lessons 1-10

    • For workers expecting to serve 2 years or more

(This course may also be taken as a one-on-one tutorial for an additional fee. Contact Acquire for more information.)

2024 DATES:

February 2 – April 13

June 7 – August 16

October 4 – December 13

Individualized Language Coaching

(For language learners of all skill levels)

Coaching sessions are designed around a learner’s needs. You’ll be matched with a coach who has the expertise you need. Sessions are scheduled according to the learner’s availability. Resources are included as needed.

  • Cost: $60/session

  • Learners may purchase a group of sessions for a reduced cost:

    • 5 lessons for $225

    • 10 lessons for $400

(Contact Acquire for more information and to schedule sessions.)

DATES:
Upon Request

Coaches

Whether you are a new coach or an experienced one, Acquire’s language coach training will provide you with the knowledge, skills and resources to help today’s learners be more effective. We encourage new coaches to begin with the basic course, “Essentials”, then further
develop their knowledge and skills through continuing education and mentoring.

Essentials of Language Coaching Course

(For Beginning Coaches)

This is a 10-lesson course. Each lesson is focused around a single, critical skill that every coach should know. Lessons are practical, hands-on and include work to be completed independently as well as live Zoom sessions. Each coach is also assigned a mentor. Resources are included. (No prerequisite.)

  • Length: 10 weeks, 1 lesson per week

  • Cost: $775

(This course may also be taken as a one-on-one tutorial for an additional fee. Contact Acquire for more information.)

2024 DATES:

March 15 – May 24

September 6 – November 15

Additional Coach Training 

(For Experienced Coaches)

Click on each option for more information.

Coaches’ skills and knowledge develop more quickly when they meet regularly with a mentor to reflect on and evaluate their coaching sessions. In bi-weekly sessions, the coach and mentor discuss specific challenges the coach’s learners are facing. Coaches testify that regular feedback and support is empowering!

  • Length: 6 sessions, Bi-weekly
  • Cost: $400

(Prerequisite – Language Coaching Essentials Course)

It’s not uncommon for coaches to have had language learning experience, but never to have taken a language acquisition course. As a result they don’t always have the knowledge and resources to offer learners when needed. In this course, coaches gain knowledge, resources, skills, and strategies for learning a language effectively.

Section 1: SELL Lessons 1-5 and Follow Up

  • Length: 6 sessions, weekly
  • Cost: $400

Section 2: SELL Lessons 6-10 and Follow Up

  • Length: 6 sessions, weekly
  • Cost: $400

> See Lesson Descriptions Here

Mini-Courses are intensive, 1 on 1 tutorials that focus on a single language acquisition topic or skill. These tutorials are developed around a coach’s questions and needs. Resources are provided. Contact Acquire for a list of tutorials we currently offer.

  • Length: 4 weeks, meeting weekly
  • Cost: $175

> See Course Offerings Here

An assessment can reveal challenges a learner may face learning a language in a specific context. With this information, a coach can suggest appropriate strategies for addressing those issues. The coach’s work is supervised. Coaches will:

  • Carry out a pre-field assessment of a new learner, with a follow-up interview.

  • Learn how to write a summary of results for an administrator or supervisor.

(Prerequisite – at least one year of language coaching experience)

  • Length: 4 weeks, meeting weekly

  • Cost: $300

Testimonies

“One of my biggest takeaways from the SELL Course is I can do this! I can have fun while I’m doing it. I can celebrate my victories and learn from my mistakes. I have received an arsenal of resources which I can use to aid in getting and learning a new language.”

Lauren, Learner of Russian

“I thought I don’t really need an acquisition course, but the SELL facilitators have much wisdom and knowledge about language learning! I learned that it takes a very different approach than anything I’ve ever learned. They give you a fabulous package of resources to use for learning.”

Daniel, Learner of Turkish

“Although I have lots of language learning experience, and even some training as a language coach, this was the first time I’ve been able to carry out many of these activities for language learning. It’s been really exciting to be in the role of learner and to be able to apply the techniques right away. I know I can whole-heartedly recommend them to other learners.”

Melissa, Learner of Bernese

“Andrea, Carol and other presenters and facilitators are very knowledgeable and experienced. And because they too have lived and learned language in the same context I have, they really understand what a learner needs to know. They really understood my situation. I could trust that their advice would help me overcome the challenges I was facing.”

Susan, Learner of Turkish

“In the SELL course, I saw where I was ineffectively working and needed to change my strategies. I saw where I’d made bad habits, such as faking it when I didn’t understand and letting other people drive the conversation to topics I don’t have vocabulary for. The SELL Course gave me new tools to overcome all of these things!”

Callie, Learner of German

“I really enjoyed all 10 lessons and found them all to be extremely helpful. Carol and Andrea shared so many stories with our group. The more stories you have about people successfully using strategies or even unsuccessfully using strategies, the better! – they draw you in. I enjoyed all the videos and supplementary resources. I tried to read and watch everything that was posted.”

Randy, Learner of German

“With the SELL Course, I’ve learned that I need to be the driver of my language learning instead of just a consumer of whatever has been determined to be a good course.”

Sarah, Learner of Romanian

Connect

Contact

[email protected]
Contact us to see how we can best serve you and your agency.