A Mindful and Holistic Approach to Language Learning
First lesson: It's actually SLUG
The expression 'naked snail' doesn’t exist in English. In English, it's not a naked snail, but a slug. I'll explain later why the school is called the Naked Snail Movement all the same.
Second lesson: The holistic human approach
Mastering a foreign language—just like any other process of learning and personal development—requires us to let go of certain behaviours and beliefs. These include self-judgement, fears often rooted in past experiences, the urge to prove ourselves, impatience, and the internal tension that comes with striving for a goal. These automatic responses block our ability to learn, no matter how much vocabulary we memorise or how many grammar rules we scribble down. Therefore, just as important as the regular technical practice of the language is the gradual removal of harmful, often hidden habits.
Third lesson: Internal inspiration is key
Without it, we won't get very far. Therefore, maintaining true motivation is essential—and I believe it comes from finding enjoyment and playfulness in the process itself. This is something one can work on consistently; It doesn't happen automatically. The structure of the course, the topics covered, and the option for one-on-one online sessions all provide support in this regard. Just as a healthy doctor-patient relationship relies on shared responsibility, here too, we move forward together, as a team.
Scientifically speaking:
The method used here is grounded in the concept of comprehensible input, which asserts that a foreign language is not something we merely learn with our intellect, but something we acquire through a subconscious process—much like how babies naturally acquire their native language. The key lies in a stress-free environment and the right amount of comprehensible linguistic input. Grammar rules and new vocabulary are not memorised in isolation but are instead linked to various areas of the brain—and we allow the complex structure of the language to naturally sink in.
The Rewire Your English! program integrates insights from modern linguistics (cf. Stephen Krashen, Jeff McQuillan, James J. Asher, Michel Thomas), neuroscience (Andrew Huberman, Carol C. Dweck), and effective practices from Eastern traditions. We follow the same fundamental principles as those found in Qi Gong or Mindfulness-based practices: the power of subconscious, intention-driven, effortless learning. Doing without doing.
WHY NAKED SNAIL?
NAKED, because through holistic learning we endeavour to shed the automatic behavioural patterns imposed on us by society and the past.
SNAIL, because the process is slow but steady. True change is imperceptible—or only visible in hindsight.
I also love how some languages call them 'naked snails' (like Nacktschnecke in German, nøgensnegl in Danish, meztelen csiga in Hungarian, nahý plž in Czech, and so on), while English opts for the wonderfully concise term: slug.
/I often greet my students with the words 'Darling Slugs of the World!'–a phrase that always brings to my mind the line 'Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May' from Shakespeare's Sonnet 18./
The existence of slugs evokes discomfort in many, yet they are undeniably a part of our world, whether we like it or not. While they may harm our plants, we humans also harm nature in countless ways. Ultimately, it’s all a matter of perspective and a shared desire to exist. What is, is.
Curriculum
- 01 A TRIP TO SAXON SWITZERLAND / Mindful Monday Grammarscope
- 02 ANXIETY WHISPERERS / Text-Investigation Tuesday
- 03 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS: JENNY / Well-deserved Wednesday
- 04 WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH / Text-Investigation Cont.
- 05 FIBRES IN THE CAVE / Mindful Monday
- 06 GHOSTS AND GUTS / Culture Vulture
- 07 MAKING FRIENDS WITH REALITY – EMILY LEVINE / Well-deserved Wednesday
- 08 SOFIA ISELLA / Music Wiring
- 09 VAN GOGH AND TURBULENCE / Mindful Monday
- 10 SPONTANEOUS POEM / Game-Night
- 11 CREATIVE PLAY / Well-deserved Wednesday
- 01 ENTERING WALKING / Mindful Minimal Monday
- 02 BEYOND ANXIETY / Text-investigation Tuesday
- 03 DR MARTHA BECK / Well-deserved Wednesday
- 04 RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY & SPIRITUALISM / Culture Vulture
- 05 BEYOND ANXIETY QUIZ / Recap-Weave
- 06 THE LAKE / Mindful Minimal Monday
- 07 DEEP / Text-investigation Tuesday
- 08 DEEPER INTO DEEP / Well-deserved Wednesday
- 09 WATER STORIES / Thinking Thursday
- 10 DEEP QUIZ / Recap-Wrap
- 11 BACKGROUND TO THE CANTERBURY TALES / Culture Vulture
- 12 PROLOGUE TO THE CANTERBURY TALES / Text-investigation
- 13 SAY–TELL–SPEAK–TALK / Grammarscope
- 14 ORDER OF ADJECTIVES / Culture Vulture
- 15 COMMUNICATIONAL GATHERING / The Art of Know-how
- 01 A SLUG'S WORLD OF MNEMONICS / The Art of Know-how
- 02 MOONWALKING WITH EINSTEIN / Text-investigation
- 03 SHERLOCK'S MEMORY PALACE / Rest&Snack
- 04 HOBBY HABITS / Vocab-builder
- 05 RETROSPECTION / Recap-Wrap
- 06 NON-EXISTING THEORY OF CONDITIONAL / Grammarscope
- 07 CURIOSITY & CREATIVITY / Text-investigation
- 08 WORDLE / Rest&Snack
- 09 SECOND CONDITIONAL IN SONGS / Music Wiring
- 10 CONDITIONAL DRILL / Recap-Wrap
- 11 DESPITE or IN SPITE OF / Grammarscope
- 12 ENGLISH RHYTHM (feat. EMINEM) / Culture Vulture
- 13 TED LASSO / Rest&Snack
- 14 CHARISMA & PASSION / The Art of Know-how
- 15 SEEING PRACTICE / Wind-down
- 01 KEY OF LIFE / Music Wiring
- 02 MIXING METAPHORS / Text-investigation
- 03 MY INCREDIBLE KNEES / Rest&Snack
- 04 SOMATIC PHRASES / Vocab-builder
- 05 SOMATIC MOVEMENT / Text-investigation
- 06 PHYSICAL SIGH / Rest&Snack
- 07 TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE / The Art of Know-how
- 08 SOMATIC REVISION / Recap-Wrap
- 09 NIBLING / Vocab-builder
- 10 QUEUEING / Text-investigation
- 11 BOILING&BUBBLING
- 12 SHIFTING
- 13 LANGUAGE HISTORY REVISING / Recap-Wrap
- 01 IMMERSIVE LEARNING / Intro with a Pinch of Grammar
- 02 CONDITIONING / Text-Investigation
- 03 QI GONG MASSAGE / Rest&Snack
- 04 MY SPACE / The Art of Know-how
- 05 RITUALS / Culture Vulture
- 06 TEA I – PRACTICALITIES / Culture Vulture
- 07 TEA II – HISTORY / Reader Beaver
- 08 THE ABRAMOVIĆ METHOD / Rest&Snack (5:48)
- 09 TEA SONGS / Music Wiring
- 10 RITUALISTIC REVISION / Recap-Wrap
- 11 SILENCE / The Art of Know-how
- 12 TEXT-INVESTIGATION SONG / Music Wiring
- 13 PLANTS / Text-Investigation
- 14 SILENT LETTERS / Rest&Snack
- 15 QUEENING / Grammarscope through Culture Vulture
- 16 SILENT REVISION / Recap-Wrap
Your Naked Snail Guide
DR. DORA HALAS (DLA)
Founder of the Naked Snail Movement
As an educator, coach, community leader, musician and artist, I have spent over two decades experimenting with alternative educational and developmental methods. I founded the Naked Snail Movement in early 2024 to create learning environments where people can grow naturally—playfully and at the same time deeply—through creative and holistic approaches.
I genuinely believe that everyone is capable of change and growth, and within each of us lies infinite potential and possibility. The key is enthusiasm, persistent practice and curiosity. This is the process I aim to support as a guiding partner, in an accepting, loving, and playful environment.
Currently, I work as an English teacher, choir conductor, and leader of musical projects. In addition, I am completing my MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) teacher training in Germany. My base is in Berlin, where I live temporarily with my family. In the first phase of my life, I founded and conducted choral communities with great passion. Now, I have definitely entered the second phase, which I am approaching with much more awareness. Both phases feel incredibly exciting, and I look forward to seeing how they will integrate.
The Naked Snail COACHING
BY DORA HALAS
30-minute, 1-on-1 online sessions
Price: 8000 HUF / 20€ per session
If you’d like to complement your experience with this online course, you have the option to meet live on an online platform.
The Naked Snail coaching sessions are designed to support your English language learning journey and personal development on a 1-on-1 basis.
If you're interested, please fill out the APPLICATION FORM.
Then you can book your sessions on CALENDLY.
IMPRESSUM
E-mail: [email protected]
Website (HU): https://nakedsnailmovement.com/
...
Banner: Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754-1799), Slug, Ink on paper, Edo Period
Logos: Miksa and Vilmos Mautner (my sons, ages 12 and 8)