Nicola

I am passionate about helping others learn and have experience teaching people from all over the world, of all ages. I am a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language, native speaker and university graduate. I have spent time in many other countries and understand how important being able to communicate is and how, at times, frustrating it can be when you can’t express yourself fully. I try to get to understand a student’s needs and assisting them to overcome the language barriers that are holding them back.

I think it is really important to use teaching methods that are suited to each student what may work for one student may not necessarily work for another. It is also important to have a clear understanding of what their goals are, and to subsequently set up a personal plan. Whatever the goal, I can address it and design suitable lessons.

I use regular informal assessments to help monitor progress and keep students motivated. Activities that I often use include reading and listening comprehensions, role plays, problem solving activities, gap fill exercises, games and general conversation.

I make notes for students during the lesson so that any common mistakes and new vocabulary can be recorded.

Availability: I am free 6.30pm - 9.00pm, Monday to Thursday.

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: I have recently come back from Singapore where I was Academic Director and an EFL teacher at a well-established language college for two and a half years. As well as running the Academic Department and being in charge of reviewing academic courses, I taught adults and children in one-to-one private tuition lessons and classes. These included general English, business English, conversation English and preparation for exams and job interviews. I taught people from a huge variety of places including France, China, Spain, Russia, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

I have also taught teenagers at Stafford House in Canterbury at the Junior Intensive Summer School, as well as in rural Colombia and in an inner-city school in Quito, Ecuador.

In addition, I have worked for Pearson, the world’s largest learning company, researching the latest trends in education and also at St. Patrick’s, an international college, as a Student Support Officer.