Catherine Mckinley

I am the founder of a UK curriculum school in Vietnam where students are encouraged to solve problems by themselves with guidance and direction from their teachers. 'There is more in us than we know' is a favourite quote of mine from the educational philosopher Kurt Hahn and it guides my approach to tutoring: with a little help, you can achieve more than you thought you could!

When tutoring languages (Chinese or Vietnamese), I have the advantage of having learned both as a foreign-language learner, which means I can identify and understand the areas in which these languages are difficult to learn when approached from English as a primary language. I help my students hear and replicate tones (both of these languages are tonal), and explain grammar and vocabulary from the perspective of a ‘foreign ear’, explaining how each language differs from English and also where they may be similar.

When tutoring journalism, media, or business, I bring to my students more than two decades of direct industry experience. I began my working life in journalism, first with the BBC in London and then as a business reporter and bureau chief in Shanghai and Hanoi. I hold a postgraduate degree in Media and Governance, through which I enhanced my practical experience in the sector by looking in depth at the ethics of journalism and its ability to hold others accountable. I have taught journalism in both China and Vietnam.

Most recently, I founded my school in Vietnam, through which I became familiar with the pedagogy and curriculum goalposts of both the UK National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate. It is an independent business and to grow it I undertook firsthand all of the planning and operations that business and entrepreneurship students grapple with during the course of their studies. With real-life experience in my back pocket, I will help you not only understand the textbook response to a business development question but also where things can go wrong and how to address this when they do - a critical skill for any business owner!