Category: Uncategorized

In praise of the random stranger: the humans of Focusmate

Post author By Vic Kostrzewski
Post date January 26, 2022

Every productivity system breaks down sooner or later. The sticks get blunt or broken; the carrots lose their sweetness. There are very few methods which kept me productive over the years. This is a love letter to the quirkiest of them all.

Vic Kostrzewski

I am an editor, author, translator and teacher based in the UK.

I am always looking to get involved in new projects. My areas of expertise:

ELT publishing – print and digital
Language learning
Translation – POL-ENG-POL, non-fiction
Editorial project management

Does it look like we could work together? Download my CV or get in touch via e-mail.

Tags productivity, remote work

Blog Uncategorized

Or else! Getting commitment devices right in learning design

Post author By Vic Kostrzewski
Post date June 14, 2021

In her recent book, “How to Change“, Katy Milkman talks about commitment devices – powerful tools which helped me stay productive on many occasions. She points out, however, that these methods are not very popular with people in general. This made me think – are there ways in which learning designers and teachers could use commitment devices to make learners’ experiences more rewarding?

Vic Kostrzewski

I am an editor, author, translator and teacher based in the UK.

I am always looking to get involved in new projects. My areas of expertise:

ELT publishing – print and digital
Language learning
Translation – POL-ENG-POL, non-fiction
Editorial project management

Does it look like we could work together? Download my CV or get in touch via e-mail.

Uncategorized

Groove, then break: 5 bite-sized albums I play to get work done

Post author By Vic Kostrzewski
Post date June 4, 2021

If you want to make sure that productivity plummets in our household, simply play a song which has lyrics. We both work with words and code – sometimes, in close proximity to each other. We need music to focus and to filter out the outside world. Today’s post is about this kind of music. What are some good albums to listen to? Here are my five picks. I’m not including links – feel free to find these on any music website you like!

Vic Kostrzewski

I am an editor, author, translator and teacher based in the UK.

I am always looking to get involved in new projects. My areas of expertise:

ELT publishing – print and digital
Language learning
Translation – POL-ENG-POL, non-fiction
Editorial project management

Does it look like we could work together? Download my CV or get in touch via e-mail.

Uncategorized

Extended Book Review – “The Practice: Shipping Creative Work” by Seth Godin

Post author By Vic Kostrzewski
Post date June 3, 2021

Illustrated quote by Elizabeth King: "Process saves us from the poverty of our intentions."

I’m beginning to think I was wrong about this book. I was ready to write this review, and I knew what I was going to say in it – right until the moment I started typing the title. Maybe, just maybe, Seth Godin’s latest book is exactly what you and I need. So, “The Practice” – is it any good?

Vic Kostrzewski

I am an editor, author, translator and teacher based in the UK.

I am always looking to get involved in new projects. My areas of expertise:

ELT publishing – print and digital
Language learning
Translation – POL-ENG-POL, non-fiction
Editorial project management

Does it look like we could work together? Download my CV or get in touch via e-mail.

Blog Teaching Uncategorized

A series of interesting decisions: from game design to project-based learning

Post author By Vic Kostrzewski
Post date February 3, 2021

What can great video games teach you about great teaching?

This week, I want to write about a book that’s been on my mind, and a recent job which involves project-based learning. The more I thought about these two areas, the more similarities I noticed. Any teacher, learner, or instructional designer could do worse than look to great games for inspiration. This is especially true in task-based and project-based learning contexts. How exactly can games help?

Vic Kostrzewski

I am an editor, author, translator and teacher based in the UK.

I am always looking to get involved in new projects. My areas of expertise:

ELT publishing – print and digital
Language learning
Translation – POL-ENG-POL, non-fiction
Editorial project management

Does it look like we could work together? Download my CV or get in touch via e-mail.