Ina Mezentsava
Ina Mezentsava
& Tech
How did you get into teaching and learning design?
How did you get into teaching and learning design?
How did you get into teaching and learning design?
I wasn’t really outstanding in anything at school, but I was just good at languages. So going to a linguistic university felt like the logical choice, and I did want to go to university. I started tutoring during my studies and later got into learning design about five years ago. When I was teaching, I worked mostly with adults—intermediate to advanced learners, often professionals or immigrants—helping them with speaking and pronunciation. It was about helping them express themselves better and sound the way they wanted. Now, I’m trying to move into learning design beyond English as a foreign language.
I wasn’t really outstanding in anything at school, but I was just good at languages. So going to a linguistic university felt like the logical choice, and I did want to go to university. I started tutoring during my studies and later got into learning design about five years ago. When I was teaching, I worked mostly with adults—intermediate to advanced learners, often professionals or immigrants—helping them with speaking and pronunciation. It was about helping them express themselves better and sound the way they wanted. Now, I’m trying to move into learning design beyond English as a foreign language.
I wasn’t really outstanding in anything at school, but I was just good at languages. So going to a linguistic university felt like the logical choice, and I did want to go to university. I started tutoring during my studies and later got into learning design about five years ago. When I was teaching, I worked mostly with adults—intermediate to advanced learners, often professionals or immigrants—helping them with speaking and pronunciation. It was about helping them express themselves better and sound the way they wanted. Now, I’m trying to move into learning design beyond English as a foreign language.
How would you break down the stages of language learning?
How would you break down the stages of language learning?
How would you break down the stages of language learning?
The first stage is getting a basic understanding of grammar and around 2,000 common words. Also, some cultural knowledge is key—not just surface facts but knowing how to communicate appropriately. Pronunciation should be taught right from the start too. The second stage is all about input. Once you understand the basics, you can start expanding your passive vocabulary and grammar. Then, gradually, you move things into your active vocabulary and grammar. The third stage is refining—learning how to sound polite, assertive, humorous, or formal. You move from using neutral language to tailoring tone for different contexts.
The first stage is getting a basic understanding of grammar and around 2,000 common words. Also, some cultural knowledge is key—not just surface facts but knowing how to communicate appropriately. Pronunciation should be taught right from the start too. The second stage is all about input. Once you understand the basics, you can start expanding your passive vocabulary and grammar. Then, gradually, you move things into your active vocabulary and grammar. The third stage is refining—learning how to sound polite, assertive, humorous, or formal. You move from using neutral language to tailoring tone for different contexts.
The first stage is getting a basic understanding of grammar and around 2,000 common words. Also, some cultural knowledge is key—not just surface facts but knowing how to communicate appropriately. Pronunciation should be taught right from the start too. The second stage is all about input. Once you understand the basics, you can start expanding your passive vocabulary and grammar. Then, gradually, you move things into your active vocabulary and grammar. The third stage is refining—learning how to sound polite, assertive, humorous, or formal. You move from using neutral language to tailoring tone for different contexts.
When should learners start focusing on vocabulary?
When should learners start focusing on vocabulary?
When should learners start focusing on vocabulary?
Vocabulary expansion starts around B1, but the bulk of it happens at B2. That’s when learners start to really branch out, learn new ways to say things, and build a broader vocabulary base. It’s the stage where words become more than just definitions—they start carrying nuance and intent.
Vocabulary expansion starts around B1, but the bulk of it happens at B2. That’s when learners start to really branch out, learn new ways to say things, and build a broader vocabulary base. It’s the stage where words become more than just definitions—they start carrying nuance and intent.
Vocabulary expansion starts around B1, but the bulk of it happens at B2. That’s when learners start to really branch out, learn new ways to say things, and build a broader vocabulary base. It’s the stage where words become more than just definitions—they start carrying nuance and intent.
"Most people need a lot more revision and a lot more repetition than what textbooks provide and most tutors provide.”
"Most people need a lot more revision and a lot more repetition than what textbooks provide and most tutors provide.”
"Most people need a lot more revision and a lot more repetition than what textbooks provide and most tutors provide.”
How has teaching changed over the past 10 years?
How has teaching changed over the past 10 years?
How has teaching changed over the past 10 years?
A lot has changed, especially in the last five years. Tools like Miro became popular even though they weren’t made for teachers. Design became much more important—we want things to look nice and engaging. I’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate exercises when textbooks don’t have enough practice. Notion helps me stay organized, and Canva is great for designing materials. YouTube and podcasts have become major resources too—something we really didn’t have at the beginning of my career. Online lessons are now the norm, and people are more comfortable with them.
A lot has changed, especially in the last five years. Tools like Miro became popular even though they weren’t made for teachers. Design became much more important—we want things to look nice and engaging. I’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate exercises when textbooks don’t have enough practice. Notion helps me stay organized, and Canva is great for designing materials. YouTube and podcasts have become major resources too—something we really didn’t have at the beginning of my career. Online lessons are now the norm, and people are more comfortable with them.
A lot has changed, especially in the last five years. Tools like Miro became popular even though they weren’t made for teachers. Design became much more important—we want things to look nice and engaging. I’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate exercises when textbooks don’t have enough practice. Notion helps me stay organized, and Canva is great for designing materials. YouTube and podcasts have become major resources too—something we really didn’t have at the beginning of my career. Online lessons are now the norm, and people are more comfortable with them.
What tools do you recommend for students?
What tools do you recommend for students?
What tools do you recommend for students?
Mostly flashcards. I usually organize everything for my students, but I recommend flashcards for extra revision. They don’t work for everyone, but you won’t know until you try. I often encourage students to make their own cards because that makes it more personal and effective.
Mostly flashcards. I usually organize everything for my students, but I recommend flashcards for extra revision. They don’t work for everyone, but you won’t know until you try. I often encourage students to make their own cards because that makes it more personal and effective.
Mostly flashcards. I usually organize everything for my students, but I recommend flashcards for extra revision. They don’t work for everyone, but you won’t know until you try. I often encourage students to make their own cards because that makes it more personal and effective.
Why is repetition so important in language learning?
Why is repetition so important in language learning?
Why is repetition so important in language learning?
Textbooks and many tutors don’t provide enough repetition. Most people need more revision than they get. It’s okay if it takes 50 times to memorize a word. Flashcards help because they support that repetition. I often create them or guide students in doing so. They should go beyond just word and translation—use sentences, highlight idioms, add context. Look at words from multiple angles to really understand and remember them.
Textbooks and many tutors don’t provide enough repetition. Most people need more revision than they get. It’s okay if it takes 50 times to memorize a word. Flashcards help because they support that repetition. I often create them or guide students in doing so. They should go beyond just word and translation—use sentences, highlight idioms, add context. Look at words from multiple angles to really understand and remember them.
Textbooks and many tutors don’t provide enough repetition. Most people need more revision than they get. It’s okay if it takes 50 times to memorize a word. Flashcards help because they support that repetition. I often create them or guide students in doing so. They should go beyond just word and translation—use sentences, highlight idioms, add context. Look at words from multiple angles to really understand and remember them.
How should teachers start using tech if they haven’t yet?
How should teachers start using tech if they haven’t yet?
How should teachers start using tech if they haven’t yet?
Gamification and design are big now, but some teachers do too much. Start small. If you're teaching groups, convert textbook exercises into online ones using tools like Wordwall or LearningApps. Add a background image or “well done” message at the end—it makes learning more fun. Adults want engagement too. Read up on instructional design, then use tools that help implement it effectively.
Gamification and design are big now, but some teachers do too much. Start small. If you're teaching groups, convert textbook exercises into online ones using tools like Wordwall or LearningApps. Add a background image or “well done” message at the end—it makes learning more fun. Adults want engagement too. Read up on instructional design, then use tools that help implement it effectively.
Gamification and design are big now, but some teachers do too much. Start small. If you're teaching groups, convert textbook exercises into online ones using tools like Wordwall or LearningApps. Add a background image or “well done” message at the end—it makes learning more fun. Adults want engagement too. Read up on instructional design, then use tools that help implement it effectively.
“The only thing that I sometimes recommend is flashcards.”
“The only thing that I sometimes recommend is flashcards.”
“The only thing that I sometimes recommend is flashcards.”
What’s your take on AI and its role in tutoring? Will AI replace teachers someday?
What’s your take on AI and its role in tutoring? Will AI replace teachers someday?
What’s your take on AI and its role in tutoring? Will AI replace teachers someday?
AI can support teachers, but it’s not replacing them anytime soon. It’s helpful for generating exercises and ideas, and it might get better at checking writing or speaking. But it still makes mistakes and pretends it knows everything. Students still value real feedback from real people. “When a real person tells me that I'm doing great, it hits a lot deeper.” I doubt it will replace teachers. Even if AI gets really good, people crave real human interaction. Teachers will still matter for connection, motivation, and emotional support. Tutors might use AI more and take on more of a guide role, but that human element will always be essential.
AI can support teachers, but it’s not replacing them anytime soon. It’s helpful for generating exercises and ideas, and it might get better at checking writing or speaking. But it still makes mistakes and pretends it knows everything. Students still value real feedback from real people. “When a real person tells me that I'm doing great, it hits a lot deeper.” I doubt it will replace teachers. Even if AI gets really good, people crave real human interaction. Teachers will still matter for connection, motivation, and emotional support. Tutors might use AI more and take on more of a guide role, but that human element will always be essential.
AI can support teachers, but it’s not replacing them anytime soon. It’s helpful for generating exercises and ideas, and it might get better at checking writing or speaking. But it still makes mistakes and pretends it knows everything. Students still value real feedback from real people. “When a real person tells me that I'm doing great, it hits a lot deeper.” I doubt it will replace teachers. Even if AI gets really good, people crave real human interaction. Teachers will still matter for connection, motivation, and emotional support. Tutors might use AI more and take on more of a guide role, but that human element will always be essential.
Do you want to share anything with our listeners?
Do you want to share anything with our listeners?
Do you want to share anything with our listeners?
I’m moving into learning design now and would love to connect with others in the field. My YouTube and Instagram are still live if anyone wants to check out my old content. But if you’d like to talk about learning design or connect professionally, the best place is LinkedIn.
I’m moving into learning design now and would love to connect with others in the field. My YouTube and Instagram are still live if anyone wants to check out my old content. But if you’d like to talk about learning design or connect professionally, the best place is LinkedIn.
I’m moving into learning design now and would love to connect with others in the field. My YouTube and Instagram are still live if anyone wants to check out my old content. But if you’d like to talk about learning design or connect professionally, the best place is LinkedIn.
“I guess teachers are going to gradually move away from the role of people who create materials and correct to someone who manages different tools.”
“I guess teachers are going to gradually move away from the role of people who create materials and correct to someone who manages different tools.”
“I guess teachers are going to gradually move away from the role of people who create materials and correct to someone who manages different tools.”
