METHODOLOGY
An English Language learning center
WORDTOPIA was created from identifying a need for a specialized place where all different types of English speaking kids in Bogota can expand, push, and explore their relationship with reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English.
Our creator spent many years teaching at a wonderful school where she was able to teach English Literature to a variety of pupils from bright writers, to serious researchers, to creative minds who struggled putting their ideas on paper, and to kids who simply refused to open a book and do a little reading. During those years she realized how important it is to help construct a pleasant relationship with the English Language in order for kids to be able to be successful in their learning processes.
She noticed that there weren´t any places in Bogota with an inviting atmosphere, geared towards literature and the amazing doors it offers regarding language, reading, writing, analysis, and critical thinking, among others. She saw the need to create WORDTOPIA: a place founded on love for the English language and literature and the belief that in the hands of the right person and atmosphere WORDTOPIA can strengthen the different minds of those searching for English Language tools.
At WORDTOPIA we reinforce English Language skills, we empower writers, we show that everyone is capable of tapping into their creative side and writing different types of texts, we train potential future authors and most of all we are building a litloving community in Bogota. Our doors are always open to those who wonder about the different directions Reading and Writing can take you. Contact us to set up a meeting so you can see first-hand what it’s all about!
You can contact us on:
raquel.caputo@wordtopialearning.com
+57 310 5806754
600
STUDENTS
4
CERTIFIED TEACHERS
15
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Our Education Theory and English Language Teaching
Our background focuses on the educational theory of Robert J. Marzano
Robert J. Marzano
His learning model is based on what each student is able to achieve instead of what they are unable to do or on what they have not been able to accomplish. Starting from this point generates a positive effect on the student which creates a beneficial foundation. One of Marzano’s most important concepts is engagement. When a student is not engaged in the classroom, many times their learning process is fractured. We believe that engaging with the student, really listening to what they like and dislike about their class, what they believe are their strengths and weaknesses in their process, is crucial to designing classes that will complement their academic process in school in order to help them be successful.
Just as with Marzano, we believe in setting goals and checking for understanding in each of our sessions. Positive feedback is key for student progress. We believe in checking student understanding and when a student does not understand, the tutor must go back and re-teach the concept. Breaking concepts into small chunks or pieces, going slowly, step by step, each time checking the student´s comprehension is key for the understanding of new information or information that was not understood in the classroom. As students engage and feel they own the different concepts taught or reviewed, they consistently show significant progress.
The positive basis of the Marzano framework is fundamental to WORDTOPIA and our starting point so that we are able to allow each of our students to understand that we are here to help them create bridges that will lead them to a beneficial learning process. We believe that every student is capable of understanding what they read and listen to as well as being able to express simple and complex ideas and concepts found in reading both orally and in writing.
We believe that the brain is a muscle and that each student needs to exercise this muscle in different ways in order to be able to achieve critical thinking. Teaching students how to analyze is crucial for our project as in this skill lies the ability for each individual to fully enjoy different types of literature, to create connections between concepts found in books and their own world as well as begin to learn how to make decisions in their academic and personal world.
