Student Manual

GETTING STARTED

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Begin your learning journey by completing the Can Introduce Yourself - Give Your Name
assessment inside of the Can Introduce Yourself learning pathway. Then, send your tutor a
short self-introduction in the My Teacher Messenger! This introductory exercise is designed
to allow you to share a bit about yourself with your personal tutor while setting a foundation
for the language skills you'll develop. The material for this exercise is intentionally kept
simple, focusing on essential vocabulary and sentence structure. However, you’re
encouraged to take your self-introduction as far as you’d like. Whether you keep it brief and
straightforward or add personal details for a more expressive approach, this is your
opportunity to showcase who you are!

If you’re new to self-introductions, try starting with basics—name, background, interests, and
any personal goals. For those with more experience, feel free to dive deeper, perhaps
including future aspirations or experiences.

Remember, this exercise is for your benefit, allowing you to showcase your language skills
while sharing what makes you unique. If you need help locating the Can Introduce Yourself
learning pathway, check the My Teacher Messenger for instructions or ask your tutor for
assistance.

ASSESS YOUR LEVEL

The next important step on your language journey is to take your Level Assessment Test. It’s
easy to find—just click on the “My Teacher” drop-down menu at the top of your Dashboard,
and then select “My Assessment”.

You can also find it in the welcome email sent to you when you first signed up!

Now, we get it—you’re eager to dive in and start practicing! With 1000 questions and a whole
world of language learning ahead, it’s tempting to skip ahead. After all, language is about
communication, not just tests. But, whatever you do, don’t skip this step!

This assessment is crucial as it gives us a clear picture of your current skills, allowing your
teacher to tailor the lessons to your needs and make sure you start in the right place. By
completing it, you’re setting yourself up for success and saving valuable time down the road.
So, take a moment to get started, and let’s make the most of your learning journey right from
the beginning!

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Welcome to your learning journey! Here’s an overview of the key tools you’ll need to make the
most of your course:

DASHBOARD

Your Dashboard is your personal hub for all things learning, and the main page you see when
you log in.! From here, you can access everything you need to track your progress and
manage your account. You’ll even find your first lesson waiting for you right on the
Dashboard—so it’s easy to jump right in.

LESSON LIBRARY AND PATHWAYS

Explore our extensive Lesson Library, packed with engaging audio and video lessons.
Lessons are grouped into Pathways, which are courses organized around specific focuses,
like culture, reading, speaking, writing, listening, and grammar. Each Pathway is designed to
help you build skills in a targeted area, making it easy to customize your learning experience.

MY ACCOUNT

In the My Account section, you can manage your profile details, update your password, and
adjust other account settings as needed. This keeps your information secure and up to date,
so you can focus on what really matters—learning! Click on your profile photo in the upper
righthand corner of the dashboard and select “My Account”.

MY TEACHER MESSENGER

One of the most valuable tools at your disposal is the My Teacher Messenger. This feature
allows you to connect directly with your instructor, so you can get personalized support, ask
questions, and receive feedback on your progress. Whether you’re stuck on a grammar point,
need clarification on an assignment, or just want advice on improving your language skills,
your teacher is just a message away.

You can access the My Teacher Messenger from any device and browser at
myteacher.innovativelanguage.com. If you are on the go, it is available on the Innovative
Language 101 App for the Android, iPhone, iPad, and Kindle Fire. The Innovative Language
101 App is the recommended way to use the My Teacher Messenger on a mobile device, and
it offers a lot of other great features to keep you learning when you’re on the go.

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YEARLY CALENDAR
Our academic year is structured into four quarters, each followed by dedicated break periods
for review and engaging in special programming. This quarter-based system is designed to
help learners meet meaningful milestones each year, offering time to consolidate learning
and move forward with confidence.

2025 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Our academic year is structured into four main terms, each with dedicated breaks for review
and reflection, designed to support steady progress throughout the year.

Term Dates

January 14 - March 24
Winter Term

March 25 - April 7
Break

April 8 - June 16
Spring Term

June 17 - June 23
Break

June 24 - September 1
Summer Term

September 2 - September 15
Break

September 16 - November 24
Fall Term

Starts: November 25 - Features

End-of-Year Period tailored programming and
review sessions.

Throughout each term, you’ll receive a recommended learning schedule, engage in weekly
practice exercises, and complete regular assessments to track your progress and reinforce
learning.

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THE WEEKLY RHYTHM

LEARN WITH LESSONS

As you advance through the program, each week will guide you through a structured rhythm
designed for effective learning and skill-building. You’ll start by immersing yourself in new
concepts through engaging teaching materials, which may include video lectures, audio
segments, or reading materials. These resources give you a foundation, which you’ll then
reinforce by working through targeted exercises and quizzes.

For Live students, the week includes a scheduled class session, where you can connect with
instructors and peers to deepen your understanding in a dynamic setting. Afterward, it’s
essential to review your teacher’s feedback and suggestions thoroughly—these insights are
tailored to help you progress and refine your skills.

PRACTICE

Next, you’ll apply what you’ve learned by completing practice assignments. Focus on each
question carefully, practicing the concepts you’ve learned.

ASSESS

Measure your progress and identify areas for improvement by completing quizzes and
assessments designed to reinforce your understanding and prove that you have mastered
the quiz or assessment’s topic. Assessments are not just about grades; they’re a chance to
deepen your skills!

FEEDBACK

Finally, wrap up the week by going over any test feedback, reflecting on areas of strength and
opportunities for growth! For additional support, you can submit your sentences to your tutor
on the My Teacher Messenger for personalized feedback. Whether you need help with
writing or speaking, your teacher is there to provide constructive feedback and help you
refine your skills.

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THE LEARNER JOURNEY

Language development in our program is mapped across five stages, each designed to build
critical communication skills and cultural understanding. Each stage corresponds to a CEFR
level, ensuring alignment with global language standards and clear progression for learners.

Level 1 - Absolute Beginner: At this introductory stage, students focus on fundamental skills
like owning, giving, receiving, and responding. This foundational level sets the stage for
everyday interactions, building comfort with basic vocabulary and sentence structures.

Level 2 - Beginner: Here, learners begin to express ideas and opinions. As they move from
basic exchanges to more complex thoughts, they develop the ability to share personal
perspectives and listen to others, expanding conversational confidence.

Level 3 - Intermediate: The intermediate stage emphasizes storytelling and problem-solving

skills. Students can narrate events and handle unexpected situations, allowing them to
navigate conversations with greater fluency.

Level 4 - Upper Intermediate: Collaboration becomes key at this level. Learners can
participate actively in discussions, work with others to reach solutions, and contribute
meaningfully to group dialogues, advancing their teamwork abilities.

Level 5 - Advanced: At the highest level, students build influence and leadership skills. They
can confidently lead conversations, persuade others, and articulate ideas with nuance,
achieving a level of fluency that enables them to drive discussions and inspire peers.

Each stage prepares learners to take on more complex language tasks and engage
meaningfully in a wide range of real-world scenarios.

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WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE

By the end of each course, learners will achieve a strong foundation across four essential
language skills—speaking, reading, writing, and listening—equipped with practical, culturally
relevant communication abilities.

Speaking: Learners will confidently engage in conversations, express ideas clearly, and
respond appropriately in various settings. They’ll be able to navigate everyday interactions,
share opinions, tell stories, and even participate in collaborative discussions.

Reading: Learners will gain the ability to read and understand texts of varying complexity,
from basic messages to more detailed narratives. They’ll be able to identify main ideas,
interpret key details, and analyze content relevant to their language level.

Writing: By the end of the course, learners will be able to write with accuracy and clarity.
They’ll handle tasks such as drafting messages, composing short narratives, and
constructing arguments, with appropriate vocabulary and grammar for effective
communication.

Listening: Learners will develop listening skills that allow them to understand spoken
language at their level, including picking up on familiar words and phrases, understanding
main ideas, and recognizing key details in dialogues and spoken passages.

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Overall, learners will complete the course with the ability to apply their language skills in
real-life situations, feeling prepared and confident to communicate effectively and
meaningfully in diverse contexts.

TIPS FOR IMPROVING ….

LISTENING

Listening practice is all about focusing on the process, not just the results. Developing a
consistent approach to listening will lead to steady improvement over time. Here are some
strategies to help you build effective listening habits:

● Start by deciding on your approach: do you want to use a bottom-up strategy,

focusing on specific words or grammar patterns, or a top-down strategy, where you
concentrate on understanding the main ideas?
● Use headphones for clarity, especially when starting out, as they can help you pick up
on subtle sounds more easily.
● Incorporate videos into your practice. Watching facial movements and body language
provides visual cues that can aid in understanding difficult sounds.
● Repeat samples 1-3 times. Listening multiple times helps reinforce what you’ve
heard and improves comprehension gradually.

Remember, it’s a journey—be patient with yourself as you build these skills!

SPEAKING

When it comes to speaking, we encourage you to focus on three key skills separately:

1. The Mechanics of Language and Pronunciation: Hone your pronunciation and

practice the sounds specific to your target language.
2. The Functions of Speech: Understand the purpose of what you’re saying—whether it’s
asking a question, giving an opinion, or responding to someone.
3. Cultural Speaking Norms: Learn when to take turns, when it’s appropriate to interrupt,
and how to adapt to the speaking style of your target culture.

To guide you, we recommend a three-stage process with your teacher through My Teacher
Messenger:

● Stage 1: Master the terms used to discuss language and communication, giving you
the vocabulary to ask questions and seek help.
● Stage 2: Practice using language to stall for time, clarify meaning, and check
understanding during conversations.
● Stage 3: Learn how to respond minimally while showing understanding, and
recognize common conversation scripts in native speakers.

These stages will help you build confidence and comfort in speaking, one step at a time.

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WRITING

Writing is all about accuracy, but try not to worry too much about getting it perfect. The goal
is to keep writing consistently rather than aiming for 100% correctness. Here’s what to keep
in mind:

● Keep writing without overthinking. The more you practice, the more fluent you’ll
become.
● Your teachers are trained not to correct every single detail. Instead, they’ll focus on
helping you create thoughtful, clear communication that conveys your ideas
effectively.

Writing is a powerful tool for refining your language skills, so enjoy the process and don’t let
perfectionism hold you back!

READING

Reading is an essential skill, and the good news is—you can’t read too much! Dive into
reading material whenever possible, and remember these tips:

● Read with different purposes. Sometimes, you’ll want to dig into the details to learn
new vocabulary or concepts. Other times, you may just skim to capture the main
ideas.
● Don’t feel pressured to understand every single word or sentence. It’s okay to focus
on general comprehension rather than aiming for full understanding every time.

Enjoy the journey, and remember that each reading session brings you closer to fluency.

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TECHNICAL SUPPORT

SUPPORTED MEDIA

Supported file types for the My Teacher Messenger include JPG and PNG for images, and
MP3, MP4, and M4A for audio and video files. Please note that Word documents and PDF
files cannot be uploaded at this time.

For written text, Premium PLUS My Teacher supports messages up to 750 characters each,
with no limit on the number of messages you can send. If you’d like to share a longer
document, consider pasting a link to a shared online document in your message.

If you’re using the Innovative Language 101 app on iOS, you can record and upload
multimedia files directly through the app. Simply follow the same process as above for web
browsers.

Note: The Innovative Language 101 app on Android and Kindle Fire does not
currently support uploading multimedia files. To use Premium PLUS My
Teacher’s multimedia upload features, please access the platform on
myteacher.innovativelanguage.com through any desktop or mobile web
browser.

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ACADEMIC POLICIES

PARTICIPATION

While online learning offers flexibility, maintaining steady progress requires a proactive
mindset! We understand that every learner’s journey is unique, and we’re here to support you
every step of the way. However, online and app-based learning thrives on self-motivation.

Staying on track and completing assignments depends largely on your dedication and
willingness to engage with the material. Our teachers are available to guide you and will
adapt to the schedule you set, but ultimately, the level of success you achieve is a direct
reflection of your participation. Make the most of this opportunity to immerse yourself and
enjoy the learning process!

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity is a core value of our program, and we are committed to upholding a
standard of honesty and responsibility in all student work. Your assignments, exercises, and
assessments should reflect your own knowledge and effort. This not only helps you track
your true progress but also ensures that you’re gaining the skills and confidence needed for
real-world communication.

We believe in each student’s ability to achieve great results through ethical work practices,
whether it’s individual assignments or group projects. Honesty is key to maintaining the trust
between students and teachers, and we’re here to support you in reaching your goals with
integrity. While we recognize that most students uphold these values, any attempt to
misrepresent your work or copy from others would compromise the quality of your learning
and is considered academic dishonesty.

Need help? - You’ll find quick links to Frequently Asked Questions and answers to your
technical questions too.

If you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please contact us.

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