FAQ

Neurolanguage Coaching®

Does Neurolanguage Coaching® have anything to do with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)?

No, it has nothing to do with NLP (although it has a similar name).

NLP is a strategy for communication, personal development and psychotherapy, while Neurolanguage Coaching® is so called because it is a mix of neuroscience, coaching, and autonomous language learning techniques.

How does Neurolanguage Coaching® differ from traditional teaching methods?

Both teaching and coaching naturally help someone learn a particular skill or share knowledge.

The biggest difference is that teaching is about the teacher offering learning guidance, whereas coaching is about the student becoming the owner of his or her own learning.

When you learn with a teacher, the teacher is driving the car. When you work with a coach, YOU are in the driver’s seat while the coach shows you the way.

Main features of Neurolanguage Coaching® (taken from Rachel Paling’s book “Brain Friendly Language Learning – Neurolanguage Coaching”©, 2017):

  • Active learning.
  • Motivation is the top priority.
  • Empathy is important.
  • Coach has the ability to keep the coachee engaged, motivated, valued and committed.
  • The coachee takes responsibility and ownership.
  • Flexible and self-directed learning.
  • Normally, no textbooks are used.
  • The coach and coachee have an equal status.
  • Learning matches the needs of the coachee.
  • “Teaching” is kept to a minimum.
  • Continuous feedback and acknowledgement.
  • It stimulates reflection.
  • Coach has the ability to adapt to the coachee.
  • Coachee-focused and tailor-made
  • One objective is to maximise the potential of the coachee.
  • Focus on cost effectiveness over the long term.

What are the benefits of receiving Neurolanguage Coaching® sessions?

Some of the benefits are:

  • Greater awareness of how your brain learns
  • Ability to recognize your mistakes and areas of improvement
  • Development of self-correcting skills
  • Tangible progress that will make you more motivated
  • A deeper understanding of the language in general

You can find more details on the Coaching page

How are Neurolanguage Coaches® accredited?

Neurolinguistic coaches are trained by Efficient Language Coaching and are the first in the world to receive an international certification accredited by the ICF (International Coach Federation).

The market is now saturated with teachers and trainers in languages that call themselves "language coaches", without any qualification or coaching training.

Certification is therefore important for companies or individuals to be able to distinguish between a professionally trained and untrained coach.

Coaching relationship and mutual responsibility

What kind of relationship is coaching?

It is a continuous and interactive professional relationship, designed to facilitate the achievement of the client's linguistic objectives in defined time periods.

This relationship is built cooperatively, and requires trust and openness.

The Client and the Coach thus to be honest and straightforward with each other in giving feedback, asking questions and making requests.

If either of them believes that coaching is not working as desired, they will communicate this to each other, and take action to reinvigorate the coaching relationship.

What responsibility does Luca have as a coach?

As a coach, Luca will:

  • Support the Client towards the client's learning goals.
  • Engage the Client to be motivated and committed.
  • Assist the Client to create structure and framework to the learning process.
  • Build with the Client a relationship based on mutual trust.
  • Always be ready to listen and be empathetic with the Client.
  • Keep all information provided by the Client strictly confidential.

What responsibility do I have as a client?

As a client, you will:

  • Understand you are responsible for your own actions during the cooperation
  • Have the right to choose from techniques and activities discussed with Luca.
  • Agree to be on time for each session.
  • Turn off mobile phones and other distractions.

Sessions

What software and/or hardware do I need to participate in a coaching session?

The only software you need is Skype (click to download). Video calls are unnecessary - audio calls will do just fine.

The other tool you need is Google Docs (an online platform used to take shared notes during the session). Luca will send you an invitation to access the document for your sessions.

This document will then be saved in PDF format at the end of each session and will be used again as a “common space” in the following session.

Beside Skype, can I use other chat programs?

If you don't have access to Skype or can't use it on your devices, contact Luca to discuss an alternative tool to be used.

What language will Luca and I speak during coaching sessions?

Luca generally conducts his sessions in English or Italian, depending on which language you are most comfortable with.

If you are at a more advanced level of the language, they can also be conducted entirely or for the most part in Japanese.

Japanese will also be used for conversation practice if this is part of the required activities or objectives to be achieved during the coaching cooperation.

Can I take notes during a session?

You can, but that's not strictly necessary. A shared Google Doc will be used as a “whiteboard” for notes, and the session audio is always recorded.

After each session, you will receive a PDF file with your notes and the session audio recording, so you can just relax and focus on the session.

Can I receive recordings of my session with Luca?

Yes, after each session you will receive the audio recording of the entire session so you can listen to it again at any time.

How long will Google Docs remain accessible for download?

Each student has his or her own Google Doc shared with Luca. This online space is used for notes during sessions and for any activities that the student may carry out in between sessions.

After each session, Luca saves the notes of that specific session in a PDF that will be sent to you via email together with the audio recording of the session.

The material, however, will remain accessible on Google Doc until the next session.

Is there a minimum time required between sessions? Is there a maximum?

The ideal is to have a session with Luca once a week, especially at the beginning of the cooperation.

Over time, students become more and more autonomous as they advance in their skills. These students tend to have a session with Luca every 10 to 15 days.

Can I share the contents of our session with others?

Based on the good practices of a coaching cooperation, any content of the coaching session shared between you and Luca is for personal, non-commercial use only.

Will I be assigned tasks to complete in between sessions?

Luca may suggest you try an activity or a particular technique in your own time, but you will be always free to decide whether to implement it. You might find yourself trying different things before you find what works best for you.

Can I watch a sample of a coaching session?

To respect the privacy of other students, no footage or audio of sample lessons are available.

Payments, Refunds and Cancellations

What payment methods do you use?

Currently we only accept payments through Paypal or bank transfer.

What if I decide I want to cancel in the middle of a five- or ten-session package?

If you have already completed two or more sessions in a package and you want your money back, you can request a refund only for the remaining sessions in the package.

For example, if you have purchased a ten session package and would like a refund after completing three (3) sessions, you will only be refunded the last seven (7) sessions of the package.

What happens if I need to cancel a class?

You can cancel a session with 24 working hours notice without any liability. In case you need to cancel a session at the last moment, you shall be liable to pay for the cancelled session.

What happens if Luca needs to cancel a class?

If Luca has to cancel a session, he will notify you at least two full days (48 hours) before the scheduled time of the meeting.

If Luca has to cancel a session within 24 hours before the session, you will not be charged for the cancelled session, and Luca will offer you different day and time options to catch up as soon it is possible for you.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

I've already been studying Japanese for a while - what exactly can working with Luca help me with?

These are some of the areas Luca can help you with:

  • Catching up with or preparing for college exams or preparing for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
  • Improving speaking abilities by expanding your vocabulary
  • Gaining self-confidence in learning the language
  • Filling grammatical gaps
  • Working on accent and pronunciation
  • Improving oral and written comprehension
  • Overcoming difficulties in learning kanji
  • Finding you best learning techniques and strategies
  • Business Japanese training
  • Learning how to translate from Japanese
  • Travel Japanese training
  • Other areas on request

Can Luca assess my Japanese learning in just one session?

Yes, it is possible to book single sessions. You will need to email Luca separately, because single sessions are not part of the packages offered.

In just one single coaching session, Luca can assess your current situation with Japanese and help you set specific goals and actions to overcome your blocks and make progress in the language.

A single session lasts about 90 minutes and will be charged 100,00 €. At the end of the session, you will receive an audio recording of the session and a written report (PDF).

If I am an absolute beginner, how much can I achieve in a 10-session package?

If you are a complete beginner, you may want to take advantage of a 5-session package. It will give you all the tools you need to start learning the language on your own.

If you get stuck along the way, you can always contact Luca for further help.

How many sessions will I need to speak Japanese fluently?

Becoming “fluent” in a language is too broad a concept and everyone has his or her own definition of the word.

Although coaching sessions can also be used for speaking practice, it is impossible to say how many of them you would need to become fluent, since fluency is a process and not a goal.

That said, even a single coaching session can help you understand what exactly you need to do to develop your speaking skills.

Does Luca do group coaching, or webinars?

Considering that coaching focuses on specific struggles and learning needs, at the moment Luca offers one-on-one sessions exclusively.

Does Luca do coaching or consulting for businesses?

Luca is available to provide coaching and/or consulting for working professionals and business people who need to learn Japanese or take it to a business level.

For more information, get in touch with Luca directly.