How did your journey with NeuroLanguage Coaching® start and more specifically… Why did you decide to take the course in 2018?
My journey from Language Trainer to Language Coach started back in 2016 when I intuitively shifted into Language Coaching. In 2018 I met Rachel and took the NeuroLanguage Coaching® course with her. I wanted my learners to feel empowered to learn and feel successful. This was the main reason for me to take the course. Before that, I was lacking solid knowledge not only in coaching but also in knowing how the brain works when approaching new content to learn. The course was an inspiring, motivating, and enriching experience. It allowed me to merge my soft skills with some powerful fresh approaches of coaching and neuroscience specially focused and targeted to language learning. Honestly, it was a game-changer for me.
How did you experience the actual transformation from a tutor to a NeuroLanguage Coach®? What are the key factors that have helped you succeed?
I think 5 key factors helped me to succeed as a Neurolanguage Coach®. These were active listening, silence, empathy, compassion, and non-directive communication style. Listening to my learners and understanding what they think is vital for their learning success. I do not know what they need if I do not listen to them first. Silence is also a very powerful tool. I do not finish my learners’ sentences; I give them time to think so they express themselves without me interrupting their communication process. Empathy: I can quickly grasp my learners’ feelings, blockages, and needs and this allows me to quickly come into a compassionate approach. We are all different. We all want to be treated differently and according to who we are, how we are, and what we think. I try to do that in every communication opportunity I have. My mission is not to teach, but to support my learners to dream big, work smart and achieve their language goals in a strong, powerful, sustainable, and unforgettable way as the holistic and eclectic learners they are.
Tell us about the actual process of NLC sessions… lesson plans, techniques, strategies, the effectiveness of the method?
The course provided me with powerful tools that bring a lot of structure and clarity to the entire learning process. The process starts with a powerful Needs Analysis where the Inner-Motivation, Mechanical Goals (Grammar), Mastery Goals (Use of the Language), Learning Path (Lesson Plan), and Coaches’’ Learning Styles are clear. This gives clarity, accountability, and responsibility to the learners who feel empowered to learn regardless of their language level. They know for the first time in their lives that learning a language is possible BECAUSE they transform their big objective into real, doable, meaningful, and achievable language goals that stick to their true motivation for learning the language.
Many tools helped me understand my learners’ behavior much better. Some of them were: knowing how to unlock blocking and fearful situations, social pain, active listening, open-ended questions, and going from empathy into compassion.
The concept of chunking down and then building up again the language goals was a revelation to me and strangely enough, it strengthened the structure and focus of my learners’ language sessions. I also approach my learners in a less directive style and I let them be in charge of their learning process and make sure to take into account their inner-motivation, learning styles, and learning goals. They are the center of their learning universe and I just guide them through their Language Learning Path. It is a very effective, efficient, and professional approach to language development.
Is there a dark side in NeuroLanguage Coaching®? I mean…were there any really difficult sessions that you may have faced reluctance, skepticism from your coachees and how did you manage to deal with these?
In life, there is always light and darkness. Thanks to Neurolanguage Coaching® we know how to deal with the “dark side” of language learning. We have been trained to deal with difficulties and blockages, for me the dark side of any learning process. It is also true that some learners might be sceptic before doing a Needs Analysis with us, and it is also true that at the end of this session the energy is completely different and this skepticism is transformed into an eagerness to learn. The skepticism is gone. They feel in full control of what they learn, how they learn it, and for how long.
How would you describe the impact the NeuroLanguage Coaching® sessions have on your business? Would you advise a teacher to change his/her career and become a coach?
The course had a strong impact on my business. It provided me with tools that brought in a lot of structure and clarity to my sessions and my learners’ entire learning process. My profile is now much richer and I am deepening my knowledge of coaching, neuroscience, and communication. Moreover, I am also a fully qualified Neurolanguage Coach® accredited by the International Coaching Federation and this also gives me an added value as a professional that my learners understand, appreciate, and are ready to pay for.
My learners now feel responsible and proud of their language learning process. They are proactive, independent, and feel respected for their motivation, goals, class preparation, their sessions, and consolidation work after their sessions. They are calm, motivated, attentive, eager to learn, improve, and advance. They want to come to their Spanish or Catalan Neurolanguage Coaching® sessions, no matter how busy their schedules are. I feel very pleased with this shift.
I am happy with my Language Training Career and I also have tangible business results.
Absolutely, yes. I would strongly advise this shift from Language Teacher to Neurolanguage Coach® to all the language trainers who want to improve their teaching careers and businesses. If I may, my only advice to all the future Neurolanguage Coaches® worldwide is that they take their time to digest all the content and that they deeply work their Personal Brand so they feel ready to do this shift and jump when their time comes.
At this point, I want to thank Rachel for allowing me to share my shifting experience from Language Teacher to Neurolanguage Coach® in a workshop called “BE YOUR BRAND” where I explain some vital concepts to bear in mind when this time comes. These concepts are:
- Where to start once you get accredited
- Neurolanguage Coaching® USPs reaffirmation
- Focus, Strategy, and Organizational techniques
- Step-by-Step Brand Guidelines to keep on track
- Neurocopy techniques for powerful website texts
- Color Psychology related to branding
- Networking and Mastermind through the NeuroLanguage Coaching® Network
- and much more…
For me, non-stop self-awareness, practice, discipline, passion, promotion, and study make the difference and the master. The Neurolanguage Coaching® course is a complete game-changer. Be ready to change your mindset too. It is worth it.
Tell us about your future plans and where can people find you?
I am a passionate Neurolanguage Coach® Ambassador in Spain, Life & Career Coach, ToT, and Online Entrepreneur since 2011. Moreover, I am currently working on my ICF PCC accreditation. My objective this year is to rebrand my website completely as I am offering two programs at the moment: Neurolanguage Coaching® and also Coaching for women. I am very pleased to keep on supporting my language clients worldwide to rocket their Spanish and Catalan language skills so they can get from where they are to where they want to be.
Thanks also to my project “Coaching IN Feminine”, I am also happy to support women worldwide to achieve their career-life purposes and make their dreams tangible. I feel grateful for this beautiful path ahead.
Should you be interested in knowing more about me, please feel free to visit my website www.monica-barnes.com. It will be a pleasure to know you.
