Coming from a long standing background in English Language Teaching, I am familiar and comfortable with working in a dynamic educational setting with young people and adults alike. Over my 17+ year teaching career I have specialised in academic education primarily at Secondary and Tertiary level (15+), but historically I have also gained experience in working with children through teaching practice, after school clubs, including SEND (8+ & 14+), Summer camps (age 7+) and Sunday school (age 4+). Over the past four years I have chosen to stay at home to look after my young children (aged 3, 6 & 9 years), and have spent a good deal of this time enjoying homeschooling them through the pandemic years.

My areas of specialism include English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English for Specific Purposes (ESP), syllabus writing, course planning and materials development. I have also gained experience in teaching GCSE, iGCSE, A Level Language and Literature, English Linguistics, Business English, Foundation, Diploma and General English at all levels. I previously worked as an IELTS examiner for four years and am always keen to develop and expand my teaching skills to new areas of responsibility.

I am now ready to take on a new teaching position and am ideally looking for a flexible one which allows me to return to a professional educational setting whilst still being able to care for my young family. I know that working with young people does not come without its challenges and that it is necessary to provide considerate care and encouragement to enable the optimum level of growth and development. My preferred method of teaching delivery is through a supportive collaborative and dynamic environment led by guided discovery. By allowing our young people to explore and learn in their surroundings with gentle and supportive, yet firm and clear guidance and supervision, they may truly be inspired and flourish to reach their full potential. Without intending to be cliche, our children and young people really are the future and for this reason I believe working with them is one of the most truly valuable and worthwhile jobs we can do in life.

More information about my Education Philosophy.

One of the most appealing things to me about Teaching and Learning is the educational Philosophy of the Curiosity Approach. Supporting children in their learning and development by providing a guided discovery platform through which they can channel their energies into learning and engaging with the world around them through everyday materials, objects and devices in order to develop their skills, likes and interests and truly discover their full potential.

For the very young, it may be developing a love of Music through a rice shaker, a love of Art and respect for nature through a leaf rubbing, an understanding of Science and Maths through water balance, an appreciation of texture and creativity through play dough moulding, an awareness of taste through cooking and an understanding of sharing and turn-taking through collaborative play, all of these activities are valuable tools for life learning and personal growth. It is through these foundations that we may pique a creative mind and set a child up for their future learning potential.

In the same vein we can apply these strategies to older learners and young people by using material from the world around us. News articles, literature, Art, poetry, contemporary music, film and television documentaries provide adaptable material in language learning. This might be through semantic analysis, dissecting syntax and grammatical structure, to eliciting general comprehension and building lexis. We can study texts to contemplate feelings and emotions or to challenge common or historical belief systems.

The importance of individually targeted learning plans and all round inclusion is undeniable. Using all senses and appreciation of different engagement methods; visual, aural or kinaesthetic, we can encompass all abilities and include every child in the learning process that best works for them. We can monitor their progress through tutorials, regular feedback and individually tailored learning progress plans. I would be excited to be a part of this process and look forward to working towards opening new pathways to further grow children’s and young people’s passion for learning and future exam success within your establishment and beyond.