Maria

As a teacher, the most consistent feedback that I have received from students is that I am “very patient”. To my mind, this is the first and most essential skill of teaching, especially in one-to-one classes. I expect students to invest a lot of energy and attention into the lesson, so why should I contribute any less? I focus on giving students a thorough understanding of the subject through lots of extra practise and through giving them the opportunity to ask questions at each stage of the lesson. I pride myself on being able to adapt my classes to the needs and interests of the individual student: I never teach the same lesson twice. I’m comfortable teaching students of all ages and abilities, but I specialise in creating course content and syllabi for young learners (11-17). I especially enjoy the challenge of teaching young learners – being able to match their energy and keep their attention in the face of the manifold distractions of being a teenager is a valuable skill, and one which sharpens my instinct and focus in teaching overall!

I was born and raised in London, a city which has been made great by generations of immigration mixed with innovation. My favourite place in London is Hampstead Heath: a great place for a long walk, a hot cup of tea and a good book – three of my favourite things. When I’m not teaching, I like to spend time outside in nature, ideally at the beach or in the mountains. I love hiking, reading, swimming and singing.

Availability: I offer lessons from Tuesday - Saturday, and can be flexible in terms of time. I am busiest in the evenings, so mornings or afternoons may be easiest to schedule.

Willing to travel: 50 miles

Experience: I’ve been an English language teacher for five years now, working both abroad and in the UK. I’m a firm believer in the power of language to unite and illuminate, which is why I am so passionate about education and about my role within the education system. I have been teaching English at a private language school for the last two years. I ran extra-curricular activities to promote student engagement such as Jobs Club, Creative Writing Club, Pronunciation Workshop, and Drama Workshop. I was also Curriculum Creator for the Young Learners department. I created and delivered a Humanities-based syllabus for visiting Italian students from the Alternanza Scuola-Lavoro system, as well as a cultural exchange syllabus for students from Qingdao, China. These courses led to long-term partnerships with both schools, returning students, and very positive feedback. Prior to that, I worked at the National Theatre`s Learning department, working with schools in inner London boroughs to promote engagement with the arts and increase access to theatre for young people. I also taught English in Japan for two years (2015-2017) to children aged 2-17 years old, as well as parent and child classes. As a `Veteran Teacher`, I was responsible for training, observing and assessing new teachers. I was able to increase attendance at our non-compulsory summer school from previous years by a minimum of 230%.