What the lesson is about

First came 30 minutes of yoga, then 15 minutes of “energy tapping”, designed to remove clutter from our brains and release the energy to learn. In the afternoon we were singing, expanding our minds with brain gym and tackling martial arts, writes Toni Brodelle.

At the end of the two-day Spanish course I had digested an enormous amount and what I learned stayed with me. The brainchild of Tanya Moore, a former English and drama teacher with a passion for languages, the course combines accelerated learning techniques with whole-brain learning and memory games and intersperses lessons with creative activities. The idea is that the brain will absorb many words and phrases subconsciously, and if the body and mind are stimulated, yet calm, learning will be much easier.

After breathing to slow the heart rate; completing physical exercises to ensure that both sides of the brain were working together; and disengaging my conscious mind while glancing at Spanish words and phrases, and “playing with the language” in creative conversations (classical music in the background), the amount I absorbed was staggering.

At the end of two days, I had learned not only colours, numbers, days of the week, conversational phrases, and foods, but how to ask directions, book a hotel room and tell people, in Spanish, about myself, where I lived and what I did - even the things I enjoy doing on holiday.

It’s an incredible resource for teachers and learners to pick up new techniques - and could easily benefit other subjects.

Where to find it

Courses in various languages take place monthly in London and Bristol. Other subjects and locations available on request, subject to demand. For more details, visit www.tanyamoore.co.uk.