Imagine Speaking Naturally in any Situation
See yourself having control of complex phrases, and speaking with fluidity and nuance that shows your listener you’re truly “in the room.”
I can show you how. Let me show you a hidden treasure in movie study for formulaic language with my MOVIE ENGLISH: CPI method OR I can customize conversation modalities for you that will
give you the tools you need to achieve nativelike fluency.
My Specialty is Formulaic Language: Your KEY to nativelike speaking
Why Advanced Speakers Still Struggle
Advanced speakers need to understand formulaic language deeply, and use it. They need to be able to use such phrases appropriately in highly complex and varied situations. But formulaic phrases pose a great challenge.
What Research Shows
According to Alison Wray, a leading expert in language acquisition, formulaic language is the biggest obstacle for advanced learners.“For L2 (ESL) learners of intermediate and advanced proficiency, formulaic language is the biggest stumbling block to sounding nativelike.”
The Key to Nativelike Speaking
Formulaic language (mostly phrases) ARE the key. You probably already know them as idioms, proverbs, sayings, phrasal verbs, and collocations. If you’re learning these forms using the word-by-word processing you used to acquire vocabulary and grammar… you’re doing it the wrong way. These phrases demand a different cognitive process to learn and remember. Think of them as “chunks” of information, and leverage the natural power of your brain to store and retrieve them with my methods.
MASTER COURSE — MOVIE ENGLISH
Beyond Dialogue
There is not one line of dialogue in Movie English. Yes, studying movie dialogue is a great way to gain vocabulary and learn intonation. But advanced speakers need more. They need to learn to store and retrieve highly complex, formulaic language into a vast array of situations. In my Movie English series, the answer to unlocking the power of your brain’s ability to learn and use formulaic phrases is CONTEXT.
Context Unlocks Fluency
My curriculum synopsizes the film’s story line. This scenic approach gives you an immediate and natural understanding of appropriate situations for the phrases.
From Screen to Context to Life
“The film’s storyline – not the dialogue – gives you quick and easy context, or the
“chunk” you need. This full narrative, scenic approach allows immediate and intuitive
understanding of when, why, how, and where specific phrases can be used.
Then, each phrase is applied to your real life, creating strong connections that make the
language easy to retrieve and use naturally. Finally, you do guided improvisations,
training your brain to think in meaningful “chunks.”
Don’t memorize—Contextualize, Personalize, Improvise.”
Guided Conversation
Expressiveness
Practice directness, putting context out front, and assuming an “irresponsible” listener. Get there by summarizing.
Fluidity
Build fluidity with role plays and on-the-spot speaking tasks. Paraphrasing and transitioning.
Formulaic Phrases
Learn to decode the signals these powerful phrases send about your social register, power, identity, cultural savviness, and emotion, with my SPICE method.
Topical Discussion
Your choice of topic and discipline. Vocabulary building. (Presentation and accent coaching: ask for more information.)
Testimonials
About The Instructor
“Monica has taught English across a wide range of settings, from university classrooms to one-on-one remote tutoring. For the past 15 years, she has focused exclusively on advanced EFL for adults, developing her signature methods for teaching complex formulaic language, including her MOVIE ENGLISH: CPI series and the SPICE Method.
She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University and brings a unique
perspective on American vernacular shaped by her work as a script analyst for clients
such as Paramount and Haft Entertainment.
Monica is TEFL-certified with Distinction, certified in Business English, and has
received multiple teaching awards and professional recognitions over the years.
A full CV is available upon request.”
Tuition & Policies
Monthly Quota:
- Student must book at least 4 classes a month.
- No cancellations, but rescheduling is easy and flexible with a calendar tool.
- You can reschedule up to UTC – 6 the same day.
- After that deadline, you lose the class.
Rates:
- 50 USD for 50 contact minutes
- 25 USD for 25 contact minutes
(Out of class preparation and review included.)
Payments:
If students choose to discontinue lessons with me, I ask for the courtesy of
2 weeks notice, so that I can give the time slot to another learner.
Payments & Billing
- Pay with PayPal (we split the fee) or SentBe, WireBarley, or payment app to my WISE.
- Paid ahead per month, in the last week of the prior month.
I’ll invoice you.
Lateness
Your time slot is yours. If you are late, I will wait for you for the entirety of the lesson.
(However, a quick note in Kakao is appreciated.)
Meeting
- I’ll send you a Zoom link 2 minutes before class to your Kakao talk.
I prefer not to be recorded, but you are welcome to use an AI tool to take notes on the meeting.
Contact Us
Send me a message on Kakao Talk “Teacher Monica,” and we can schedule a free 15 minute
consultation to see if my methods are right for you.
Email: [email protected]
Wechat:Natural English - Monica
Hours: Sat – Wed 9am – 5pm PST