English Tutor with Artistic Background - Lessons for Adults and Children

My name is Frances, and although I currently live in London, England, my parents are American and British, and I grew up between Thailand, Belgium, Morocco, and the US. This had given me a passion for languages and learning about new cultures. Outside of teaching, I'm also a professional theatre artist and writer.
After I received my CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teaching certificate through the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Cambridge, I worked at Casa Marianella, a shelter for migrants and asylum seekers, in Austin, Texas, as a teacher and case manager. I taught multiple weekly English classes (virtual and in-person, private and group) to residents of all skill levels and supervised volunteer teachers. Since it was often unknown who would come to class each night, I had to be flexible and prepared to alter my lessons depending on students’ needs. I designed practical lessons that were applicable to students’ lives and skill levels: i.e. beginning literacy, business English, navigating doctors’ visits and insurance, conversation practice, English through theatre games, and more.
I also have experience as a theatre teacher - at university, I designed and taught a beginner’s mime and mask workshop to peers, which I then revamped and presented to over 50 high schoolers. Additionally, as an apprentice at the Dallas Theater Center, I taught an acting course for middle schoolers, assisted other teachers in their classes, and supervised over 50 students, aged 8 to 17, in rehearsing for their final showcase.
I believe in teaching the student, not the lesson - meaning, I don't push forward with subject matter until my students truly understand it. Additionally, it’s important to build trust and confidence so you feel confident asking questions and speaking up when you don’t understand something. In fact, your questions can lead to meaningful discussions about (often subtle aspects of the English) language and culture. Most of all, I want to know what motivates you as a learner so I can personalize our lessons!