More than 20 years private tuition to professionals and students (from 4 to X years old) which implies designing and adapting materials to each student, setting timed goals, generating motivating activities (music, singing, dancing, acting, films, gardening, playing cards, games since we can use anything
as a via through which unconsciously learn and then produce what we have learnt) and materials to engage and make students confident and aware of the progress they make in their abilities. That is why I think more than teachers we only assist and provide scaffolding and the appropriate tools so that people find their own most effective and fun way to effortless sail through the wonderful journey at whatever stage they are and successfully reach their set destination for the due course, but it is them who do the hard job.
So, my methodology, no matter if we use a course book, my own material, presentations, audiovisuals, only a whiteboard or blackboard and a blank sheet of paper, all of them and more I have used voluntarily or not, depends on the group or the individual but one thing never changes; it is highly participative, communicative, based on curiosity and necessity on the part of the students to exchange information.
Having taught the English language to Spanish speakers gives me an extra very valuable tool since it makes me fully aware of the specific difficulties, differences and similarities they are going to encounter whilst learning their second language, thus I can anticipate and present them in an easier and more clarifying way for them to assimilate, facilitating and making the learning process faster this way.
Now going back to job experience, I am currently imparting a one evening per week Spanish beginners course at CENTRAL YMCA for adult professionals for which I have designed the whole course, selected resources and developed the materials to use in class.
