For maximum ATHENA personalization, we’ve created a comprehensive completion guide that walks you through each section with examples and explanations.
Basic Information
This section helps ATHENA understand your background so she can talk to you in the right way.
Age Range
Purpose: Helps ATHENA choose the right communication style and references
Examples:
- “20-25” or “35-40” or “50-55”
- You can share this if you want - it helps ATHENA be more appropriate
Gender
Purpose: Helps ATHENA use the right pronouns and be culturally sensitive
Options: “Male” or “Female”
- This is optional but helpful
Personal History (Autobiography)
Purpose: Gives ATHENA context about your life for better conversations
What to include:
- Important events in your life
- Your education
- Your work history
- Challenges you’ve overcome
- Places you’ve lived
Example: “I was born in Warsaw and studied engineering at Warsaw University. I worked 5 years in telecommunications, then switched to project management. I moved to Kraków in 2018 for better job opportunities. I recently became a parent, which motivates me to improve my English for international career growth.”
Psychological or Psychiatric Conditions
Purpose: Helps ATHENA give you appropriate support and avoid problems
Approach:
- Only share what you’re comfortable with
- Focus on things that affect learning
- Include ways you cope that work for you
Examples:
- “I have anxiety - I prefer gradual challenges rather than sudden difficult tasks”
- “I have ADHD - I learn better with structured, varied activities with clear breaks”
- “I don’t have any conditions that affect my learning”
Cultural Background
Purpose: Helps ATHENA understand your cultural context and communication style
What to include:
- Your country or region
- Your religious or cultural practices
- Business culture you’re used to
- Important values in your culture
Example: “I’m from Poland with a Catholic background. I value direct communication and being on time. I’ve worked with German business culture (very formal) and Scandinavian approaches (more relaxed).”
English CEFR Levels
Rate your English skills honestly using the European framework. ATHENA uses this to give you the right level of challenge.
CEFR Quick Reference:
- A1: Beginner - I can use basic phrases and simple interactions
- A2: Elementary - I can have simple conversations about familiar topics
- B1: Intermediate - I can handle most travel and work situations
- B2: Upper-Intermediate - I can discuss complex topics with some fluency
- C1: Advanced - I can use English effectively in academic and professional contexts
- C2: Proficient - I can use English almost like a native speaker
Listening Level
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Can I follow movies without subtitles?
- How well do I understand phone calls or video conferences?
- Can I tell the difference between different accents?
Reading Level
Self-Assessment Questions:
- What level of texts can I read comfortably?
- How often do I need to look up words?
- Can I understand meanings that aren’t directly stated?
Spoken Interaction Level
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How comfortable am I in conversations?
- Can I negotiate, persuade, or handle conflicts in English?
- How well do I manage unexpected discussions?
Spoken Production Level
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How well can I present ideas clearly?
- Can I explain complex concepts?
- How are my pronunciation and fluency?
Writing Level
Self-Assessment Questions:
- What types of documents can I write?
- How confident am I with formal and informal writing?
- Can I structure complex arguments?
Professional Context
This section helps ATHENA understand your work environment and what you need English for.
Educational Background
What to include:
- Your degrees, certificates, and training
- What you studied and how it relates to your work
- Any education you received in English
Example: “I have a Master’s in Computer Science from AGH University. I also have certifications in project management (PMP) and cloud computing (AWS). I studied some courses in English during my exchange semester in Germany.”
Work Experience
Focus on:
- Industries and roles you’ve worked in
- Your career progression and achievements
- International experience
- Team leadership or collaboration
Example: “I’ve worked in IT for 8 years: 3 years as a software developer, 5 years as a team lead. I’ve managed teams of 5-12 people. I’ve led international projects with clients in Germany, UK, and US. I have experience with agile methodologies and giving technical presentations.”
Job Overview
Current role details:
- Your job title and main responsibilities
- Your team size and structure
- Key people you work with
- What you do daily and weekly
Example: “I’m a Senior Project Manager at a fintech startup. I manage 3 development teams (15 people total). I run daily standups, have weekly client calls, and give monthly board presentations. I work with sales, marketing, and executives. 40% of my work is technical discussions, 60% is business strategy.”
Professional Communication Needs
Be specific about:
- Types of meetings you have
- Writing you need to do
- Presentations you give
- Client interactions
Example: “I need to: run daily team meetings in English, write technical specifications, present quarterly results to international board members, negotiate with vendors, conduct job interviews, and speak at industry conferences.”
English Background
Understanding your English learning history helps ATHENA give you better support.
English Experience and Usage
Include:
- How long you’ve studied/used English
- Formal vs. informal learning
- Time spent in English-speaking countries
- How often you use English now
Example: “I studied English for 6 years in school and took 2 years of private lessons. I’ve used English daily at work for the past 3 years. I attended a 6-month training program in London in 2019. Currently I use English 60% of my work time. I watch English YouTube and Netflix regularly.”
English Strengths
Identify your strong areas:
- Specific skills you’re good at
- Situations where you do well
- Positive feedback you’ve received
Example: “I’m good with technical vocabulary and written grammar. I’m confident giving prepared presentations. My colleagues say my email communication is good. I’m comfortable with American accents because I watch a lot of American media.”
English Weaknesses
Be honest about:
- Specific challenges you face
- Situations that are difficult
- Patterns you’ve noticed
Example: “I struggle with phone calls, especially with strong accents. I have difficulty with expressions and humor. Sometimes I translate directly from Polish and my English sounds too formal. I still have trouble pronouncing ‘th’ sounds consistently.”
Goals and Dreams
Your goals help ATHENA stay motivated and give you relevant practice situations.
Short-Term and Mid-Term Life Goals
1-3 year timeframe:
- Career plans
- Personal development goals
- Learning objectives
Example: “In the next 2 years: I want to get promoted to Senior Manager, complete my MBA program, and move to a larger apartment. I want to learn to drive, improve my work-life balance, and start investing in the stock market.”
Long-Term Life Goals
5+ year vision:
- Career dreams
- Personal aspirations
- Lifestyle goals
Example: “I want to start my own consulting company and work with international clients across Europe. I’d like to live part-time in different countries. I want to become fluent in German as a third language. I want to be financially independent by age 45.”
English Language Goals
Specific English objectives:
- Level targets
- Certification goals
- Where you want to use English
Example: “I want to reach C1 level within 18 months and pass TOEFL for my MBA application. I want to become confident speaking at conferences. I want to master negotiation skills for client meetings. I want to stop being afraid of phone calls with native speakers.”
Personality
Your personality helps ATHENA match your communication style and preferences.
General Personality Description
Overall character traits:
- Are you introverted or extroverted?
- How do you handle challenges?
- How do you like to communicate?
Example: “I’m analytical and methodical - I prefer structured approaches. I’m introverted but confident in professional settings. I’m detail-oriented and sometimes a perfectionist who overthinks things. I stay calm under pressure and I’m good at solving problems. I like humor but prefer subtle jokes over loud ones.”
Specific Character Traits
Detailed characteristics:
- Your strengths and areas for growth
- How you behave
- How you interact with others
Example: “I’m highly organized and always prepared for meetings. I’m patient when teaching junior colleagues. I can be too critical of my own mistakes. I prefer to write about complex topics rather than just talk about them. I’m a good listener and ask thoughtful questions. Sometimes I’m too diplomatic - I need to be more direct.”
Favorite and Liked Things
What gives you energy:
- Hobbies and interests
- Types of conversations you enjoy
- What motivates you
Example: “I love technology trends, science fiction, and strategic board games. I enjoy hiking, photography, and cooking new recipes. I like well-structured presentations and clear data visualizations. I like learning about different cultures and watching travel documentaries.”
Hated and Disliked Things
What to avoid:
- Things that stress you
- Approaches that don’t work
- Content you don’t like
Example: “I dislike meetings without preparation, aggressive communication, and gossip. I get frustrated by unclear instructions and micromanagement. I avoid horror movies and overly emotional content. I don’t respond well to public criticism or sudden time pressure.”
Hobbies and Activities
What you do for fun:
- Regular activities
- Seasonal interests
- Do you prefer social or solo activities?
Example: “I go to the gym regularly, hike on weekends, and have board game nights with friends. I do photography when I travel and experiment with cooking. I read business books and watch documentaries. I play chess online and follow Formula 1 racing.”
Interesting Topics and Subjects
What you like to talk about:
- Work interests
- Personal passions
- Things you’re learning about
Example: “I’m fascinated by artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and space exploration. I’m interested in psychology, productivity systems, and sustainable living. I enjoy discussing cultural differences, historical events, and economic trends.”
Social Dynamics and Interaction Style
How you relate to others:
- How you prefer to work with others
- How you handle conflicts
- How you network
Example: “I prefer small group discussions over large meetings. I build trust by being consistent and prepared. I address conflicts directly but diplomatically. I network by sharing professional knowledge rather than making small talk.”
Metacognition
This advanced section helps ATHENA understand how you learn best and optimize your interactions.
ATHENA Interaction Preferences
How you want ATHENA to behave:
- Communication style you prefer
- How you like to receive feedback
- Challenge levels you want
Example: “I prefer structured, step-by-step guidance. I want honest feedback with specific suggestions for improvement. I like when cultural context is explained. I like varied practice formats. I need encouragement but not false praise.”
Learning Preferences
Your optimal learning conditions:
- Study methods that work for you
- How you process information
- Practice preferences
Example: “I learn best through examples followed by practice. I need to understand ‘why’ behind grammar rules. I prefer visual aids and written summaries. I like spaced repetition for vocabulary. I work better with short, focused sessions than long study marathons.”
Cognitive Load Management
How you handle information:
- How much complexity you can handle
- When you need breaks
- Can you multitask?
Example: “I handle complex topics better when they’re broken into smaller pieces. I need 5-minute breaks every 25 minutes. I prefer focusing on one thing at a time rather than multitasking. I process information better in the morning. I need a quiet environment to concentrate.”
Error Tolerance
How you handle mistakes:
- How sensitive you are to feedback
- How you prefer to be corrected
- Your growth mindset
Example: “I like immediate correction but prefer explanations over just answers. I can handle direct feedback if it’s delivered constructively. I learn well from mistakes when I understand the reasoning. I prefer private correction over public correction.”
Motivating Factors
What drives your progress:
- How you like to be recognized
- What achievement systems work
- What support you need
Example: “I’m motivated by clear progress tracking, mastering skills, and practical application. I like recognition for improvement, not just perfection. I’m inspired when I can connect learning to my career goals. I enjoy challenges that stretch my abilities without overwhelming me.”
Demotivating Factors
What hinders your progress:
- What stresses you out
- Approaches that don’t work
- What discourages you
Example: “I get demotivated by repetitive drills without context, being compared to others, and criticism without suggestions. I get frustrated by unclear objectives and inconsistent rules. I lose motivation with perfectionist pressure or fear of being judged.”
Miscellaneous
Anything else that doesn’t fit in other sections but might be important.
Additional Information
Anything else ATHENA should know:
- Unique circumstances
- Special requirements
- Personal insights
Example: “I work night shifts 2 weeks per month, which affects my energy levels. I have young children, so I prefer learning during my commute. I’m particularly interested in American business culture. I’m planning to move to Dublin in 2 years.”
Key Tips for Effective Completion:
Be honest - ATHENA optimizes based on accurate self-assessment
Be specific - Detailed responses enable more precise personalization
Use examples - Concrete scenarios help ATHENA understand your needs
Update regularly - Modify your profile as you progress and discover preferences
Think holistically - Consider how different aspects connect
Include context - Explain why certain preferences matter to you
Time Investment: 15-30 minutes for basic completion, with progressive enhancement over time as you discover what helps most.
Remember: Your cognitive profile is a living document that evolves with your learning journey. The more thoughtfully you complete it, the better ATHENA can support your English language development and professional growth! 