Frequently Asked EOTO Questions

Find out about EOTO

HOW SHOULD I STUDY?

It is worth keeping in mind in each EOTO meeting which of the languages you are focusing on and what is the goal of the meeting. If you are focusing on learning the language X, comparing it to the language Y might sometimes, however, prove useful method. In that case, the student “teaching” the language Y may at the same time learn something about their own language. Remember to vary the meeting places and studying methods. Chat over a cup of coffee and check the grammar exercises together. Go shopping, visit the local museums (often free on Fridays) or cook together — all in the language that you’re studying, of course! The most important thing is that whatever you do, you focus on learning the language. For more concrete ideas about studying, check out ideas for learning.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE MEETINGS?

Doing homework and checking it together is important in EOTO. Try reading or writing a certain text or study vocabulary related to the theme that you are going to discuss. At the end of each meeting, make sure you have some homework to do for the next time. Note the homework on your blogs. Naturally, review what you have studied the previous times as often as possible.

HOW DO I REPORT ON THE MEETINGS?

Report on all EOTO meetings in your learning diary in your blog on this web page. The EOTO supervisor monitors your studies by reading the blogs and commenting on them, if and when needed. Each student keeps a personal blog about learning the language they are studying.

You write your blog regularly, discussing the topic of the lesson, the study methods used, the homework and the length of the session. Along with these details, analyse your learning process and any culture-related questions that come up.

After 10 hours of studying you fill in the checkpoint form to evaluate your learning so far and to re-consider your learning goals for the rest of your studying. At the end, you fill in a short final report on your blog and evaluate your performance together with the EOTO supervisor.

HOW DO I KEEP TO THE SCHEDULE?

Each language should be studied for at least 20 hours face to face. This means 20 hours of teaching your mother tongue and 20 hours of studying the other language for a total of 40 hours of contact meetings, plus homework. Usually the pairs meet once or twice a week. In order to keep to the schedule, it is a good idea to set up all the EOTO meetings when you start the programme.

WHEN CAN I START THE EOTO PROGRAMME?

You can start the programme flexibly. If you want to complete the EOTO programme during one semester, please check the deadline for submitting the study plans on the frontpage. In addition, you must complete it by the end of the academic year, so if you start in March, make sure to have time to meet for at least 20 hours per language.

WHERE ELSE COULD WE STUDY THAN IN THE LIBRARY CAFÉ?

You can also go to town, surf on the Internet together or even cook together. Whatever you do, remember to practice the language at the same time!

IF MY PARTNER CHOOSES TO QUIT CAN I COMPLETE THE PROGRAMME ON MY OWN?

EOTO is a pair/group programme, so you cannot do it on your own. However, even though your partner doesn’t want to continue learning they might be willing to “teach” you as long as needed. If not, you can contact other EOTO students and join other people studying the same language as you.

I CANNOT TEACH GRAMMAR! WHERE CAN I FIND SUPPORT?

You shouldn’t get stressed about the grammar, since nobody is expecting you to be a professional teacher. In EOTO, students have a great possibility to focus on improving their communication, and you have a lot of expertise about everyday conversation and expressions, culture, the way of life etc. If needed, look for information about the grammar of your mother tongue in grammar books or using internet resources. 

MY EOTO PARTNER IS NOT A UNIVERSITY STUDENT. CAN WE STILL START THE EOTO PROGRAMME?

Only a student of the University of Jyväskylä can complete the official EOTO programme and get the three credits. However, anyone can follow the EOTO idea and study a language unofficially. If this is your case, contact the EOTO supervisor and have the first meeting with the teacher. Note that only the JYU student can write a personal EOTO blog and receive credits. Otherwise you can both follow the EOTO path. Anyone interested in learning languages can use the EOTO idea and materials to support their language learning!

I REALLY LIKE THE EOTO METHOD, CAN I PARTICIPATE MORE THAN ONCE?

Studying in EOTO programme is based on self-direction, and each student sets their own goals and defines their proficiency level. Thus, it is possible to do the programme more than once - but not more than 2 times per language. If you consider re-taking EOTO it is important to define carefully your proficiency level and your goals. In addition, you need to discuss with the teacher beforehand.