My journey and learning method

by Giulia Bonanzinga

Learning a new language as an adult is both exciting and daunting. On one hand, there is the dream of opening doors to travel, study or career opportunities. On the other, daily life is already full, and the thought of adding hours of grammar drills or endless vocabulary lists can feel overwhelming. Over the years, I have learned that the key is not to study harder, but to study smarter. That belief shaped my own learning journey, and later inspired me to develop what I now call the Metodo Lemon®.

From personal struggle to teaching others

When I first moved from Italy to London at the age of 20, my English was not strong enough to support my studies. I remember the anxiety of walking into classes, afraid that I would not understand or be able to express myself. It took time, patience and many small steps before I could confidently use English in everyday and academic life.

Later, as a teacher of English, I saw my students face the same barriers I once did: feelings of embarrassment, a lack of fluency despite years of lessons, and above all, a sense of frustration. Many were busy adults, determined to improve their English, but unable to dedicate long study sessions. What they needed was a method that respected their reality: short, focused activities that could become part of their daily routine.

This is how my approach was born: out of my own struggle as a learner, and my desire as a teacher to give students a practical, sustainable path forward.

The power of thematic weeks

One of the most important principles  is that each week is dedicated to a single topic. This might be “travel,” “food,” or “work.” The idea is simple: by concentrating all activities on one theme, learners have time to truly assimilate and acquire vocabulary and structures. Instead of jumping from one topic to another, they encounter the same words and expressions repeatedly in different contexts.

Equally important is that the topics are carefully chosen to be as engaging and meaningful as possible. When learners find the content interesting, their brain is “tricked” into paying attention without the usual resistance that comes with study. In other words, curiosity and relevance lower the affective filter and make acquisition more natural. This sense of immersion, living the language through a topic they enjoy, allows progress to happen almost without noticing.

A typical week in practice

Here is an example of how a week might unfold:

• Day 1  Passive listening to an audio or video connected to the theme, with no pressure to understand everything. The aim is to get used to rhythm and sound, just like with newborns when they are first exposed to their mother tongue.
   
• Day 2  Active listening of the same material, now focusing on key vocabulary and expressions.
   

• Day 3  Reading of the transcript, paying attention to the selected vocabulary or grammar chosen by the teacher, followed by a vocabulary quiz.
   
• Day 4  Pronunciation and speaking practice through shadowing: reading the transcript aloud and imitating intonation, rhythm and pronunciation, followed by a reading comprehension quiz.
   
• Day 5  Rest.
   
• Day 6  A speaking or writing activity applying the week’s vocabulary in a real context, with teacher guidance.
   

• Day 7 Rest.

Each activity is brief but purposeful, designed to fit into busy lives while still building the habit of daily exposure. By the end of the week, learners have worked on all four skills while staying immersed in a single topic.

Why listening matters

Among these steps, listening has a special role. Too often, learners underestimate passive listening, assuming that if they are not concentrating fully it has no value. In reality, passive listening builds familiarity with sounds and reduces the anxiety that comes with facing the language. Active listening then deepens understanding, preparing the ground for speaking and writing. This two-step process can feel like a quiet revolution for learners: suddenly, words and patterns start to fall into place naturally.

Practical tips for learners everywhere

From my experience, here are some tips that any learner can apply:

• Dedicate just 10 - 15 minutes daily to the language, but do it consistently.
   
• Focus on one topic per week to create depth and reinforcement.
   
• Use passive listening to lower anxiety before moving to active listening.
   
• Practise shadowing: read phrases aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
   
• Follow the principle of Input+1: choose material just slightly above your current level.

From learning to acquisition

The greatest shift comes when learners move from simply “learning” rules to truly acquiring the language. This means absorbing it gradually through meaningful input, repetition and use. By breaking down the process into short daily routines and thematic weeks, this structured approach helps students not just to study English, but to make it part of their lives.

For adults with busy schedules, this approach offers not only better results but also greater confidence and motivation. And for me, it is proof that what once felt like a personal struggle can become a tool to support others in their own journey.

Giulia Bonanzinga is an English teacher and educational consultant. After living and studying in London, she founded 'English with Giulia' and developed the Metodo Lemon®, with the aim of transforming English learning into a natural and personalised experience.

You can find Giulia on Instagram.

Views expressed on CIOL Voices are those of the writer and may not represent those of the wider membership or CIOL.