Tell me your goal and I will create a pathway for you to reach it. Tell me what interests you and I will find a way for you to learn English from it. I will help you to be yourself in English and we usually have a lot of fun as we learn about each other's culture. You will speak a lot in lessons but these are not just conversation classes, they are planned, structured lessons designed to move you forward every lesson towards the goal that is specific to you and to increase your confidence and help you to express yourself.
Lessons with me are created from what is relevant to you. In the trial lesson I ask you questions to discover what you want and need, and then send you a learning plan. I'm also a professional writer with over 10 years experience writing for different companies so I can help you improve your writing for job applications, CVs, emails, academic essays, written exam papers, and more. Any Cambridge or Trinity ISE students can use the lessons as exam prep, doing exam simulations together so you can get an idea of what the exam will be like.
I make detailed notes during each lesson while you speak, and at the end of the lesson we discuss any of your grammar/vocab/pronunciation errors. You will be provided with a document of these errors to keep. At the beginning of your next lesson we review the errors from the previous lesson. I set homework at the end of each lesson (unless you specifically ask me not to) and we discuss it together at the beginning of the next lesson. I also create flashcards for you of any new vocabulary that comes up in the session. I will periodically test you on these, so you always feel like you are progressing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
• Can you describe a typical lesson?
No two lessons for different people are the same. I plan specific relevant lessons for each student so that you can spend your time in the lesson progressing in the areas that are important to you and your life. Some of my students are working on improving the vocabulary specific to their job, others are working with me to improve their confidence when speaking English, and others are studying film scripts so that they can go to the cinema. You can practice listening to different accents, look at the difference between UK and US English, and practice the different levels of formality in written and spoken English.
• Do you teach Business English?
Yes I do. Aside from Verbling, I work as a Business English Trainer online. But…everyone's business/job is very different so please let me know what your specific needs are. Do you want to improve your interview technique? Do you need to write a CV or application letter? Do you want to improve your presentation skills? Do you want to know the difference between formal and informal writing for emails? Do you want practice understanding English on the telephone? Do you want to improve your vocabulary for a specific industry? I have experience of teaching English in various companies in Italy, where I teach group classes of beginners and elementary students, as well as 1-1 lessons with the directors and CEO. I love learning about your different businesses and helping you progress in your career. Talk to me about your job and I will create a course specifically for you.
• What materials do you use in your lessons?
I use a variety of speaking prompts, and listening material chosen specifically for each student to give you exposure to different accents, such as TED talks, youtube videos, TV series, and news websites. You progress using authentic material. I love helping my students to enjoy English and if I find something online that makes me think of your needs then I will send it to you via Verbling chat, just like you would with a friend.
In my lessons there is often emphasis on pronunciation. As I explain in my introduction video, if you know how to say a difficult word, or if you know how to join certain words together (we like to do this in English, sorry!) then you will be able to recognise this more easily in your listening.
• I can speak some English but I don’t feel like I express my personality
I use thought-provoking material which helps you to express your personality through English and I help you find ways to show your opinion. I have interesting discussions with my students about a range of topics and I give you the tools to speak English with more expression and emphasis, and to tailor your English for different situations. You get the opportunity to put vocabulary and grammar into spoken practice. You will study real everyday English and I will encourage you to use more interesting and expressive vocabulary so that you can really be yourself in another language.
• Tell me more about you as a teacher
I am a highly-qualified native English speaker from Wales in the UK with a standard British accent. I have a CELTA (pass A) from International House in Sicily, and have worked for the well-known International House in Bristol in the UK. As well as teaching on Verbling I am a full-time Business English trainer for another company. I love my job and I put a lot of energy into making a lesson that is right for you. There's no better job than helping someone be able to travel or improve their career options, by helping them to improve their English.
Before becoming a teacher I worked as a translator, an education consultant for Oxford University Press, a technical writer, an editor, and a short-story judge, so I have always worked with the English language in one way or another and have experience in using it in different industries for different purposes. I love language and the power it has to change people's lives, careers, and relationships.
• Do you prepare students for exams?
Yes I do. I have all the material and experience to help you prepare for the Cambridge PET/CAE and Trinity ISE I, II, or III exam. I can do speaking exam simulations, and provide exam techniques for the the reading and writing sections. I can also give you reading homework and writing activities to prepare you.
• I suffer from anxiety/I am Autistic and do not want to learn English in a regular school.
If you have any issues with communication then I can help you learn English in a calm and relaxed way, with very simple and clear instructions, and an awareness of the difficulties that you may have. Maybe you need help with the recognition of non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, how we use pauses and interjections in general conversation, and the subtle difference in tones of voice in English. We can practice this in a safe, relaxed space with different role plays of real life situations. I have over 7 years’ experience of volunteering with the National Autistic Society and am trained as an online communicator for children and adults on the autistic spectrum. Previous experience and training as a project manager for an online counselling charity has meant that I have been given 1-1 students in the past who experienced too much anxiety to work in a class environment. During my lessons if you need to stop before the end of the hour because of anxiety issues then I will refund you for any time that you did not use.
Please contact me via a message on Verbling to discuss your individual needs.