Tag Archives: Greater London

Marta Native Spanish Teacher

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While taking my degree on English Studies at the University of the Basque Country I could not imagine myself as a teacher. I just had a passion for languages. Nevertheless, after trying teaching I have realised that being able to contribute to someone’s learning process is my passion.

How did you get into teaching?

The first encounter I had with teaching was the course for teaching Spanish as a foreign language offered by the University, “Universidad Complutense de Madrid”. This course introduced me to teaching and provided me the opportunity to get to know my native language (Spanish) better. It made me feel leaning towards becoming a teacher. However, it was not until I came across the opportunity to work as a teacher for children and adults at the language centre, “Centro Zabaldu”, that I became fully convinced, teaching is what I want.
This experience changed my mind completely. It made me believe that the right teacher can change any student’s life. Now I feel passionate about the process that takes place when someone learns. Seeing a student improving and not only understanding or acquiring knowledge but also creating a bound with the subject provides me with great satisfaction.
Therefore, I searched for other teaching experiences. In “Castmetal Vitoria” I found a stimulating challenge teaching English to adults who gave up studying long ago and had almost no knowledge of English.
On the other hand, the time I spent as a self-employed teacher provided me with the opportunity to enjoy reduced groups sometimes even one to one sessions, where the student has the freedom to learn at their own pace in a way that is unique to them.
Finally, once I finished my degree in English Studies I enrolled straight away into a M.A. master’s degree in Secondary School teaching. I decided to choose the distance learning option that the Camilo José Cela University offers because that allowed me to visit other countries in search of job opportunities and experiences. Regarding the master’s degree, which I am about to finish once I summit the Master Thesis in June, it has added to my academic training an extensive knowledge on teaching, learning processes and learning types, innovations etc. Moreover, the master’s degree allowed me to teach English and History in English in 8th and 10th grade and to enjoy being part of a large teaching community as it is the High School “Presentación de María”.

What international experience do you have?

To conclude, I would like to add that the experience of having lived in different countries as a student (Australia, Ireland, Germany) and having taken part in University Exchange Agreements (Erasmus, SICUE) has provided me with the capacities of adapting myself to multicultural settings, communicating in different languages, team working and problem solving skills.
Moreover, the fact that I have worked as an English teacher in different places and belonged to a basketball team and to a scouts group has enabled me to manage and cooperate with groups.

Mattia Loy Italian Teacher for Foreigners in Sardinia, Italy

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Probably the best evidence of my skills is given by the website linked below, belonging to my previous institute: I wrote each content. (select English Language, then general activities > Language courses). About teaching, for me it is a semi-creative process that involves interaction with the class. Since communication in a given context is what gives a meaning to a language, I tend to promote learning by stimulating each of the four language-connected skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading) through experimentation. As psychologist, am very good at assessing students’ needs and expectations, adapting the program and my stile to their characteristics, as well about assessing the efficacy of learning processes. In addition, I am quite a decent drawer, able to quickly draw sketches of people and situations to provide students with visual supports that fit the taught topic. Even more, I love to alternate serious and formal moments with humour, because it helps students to better enjoy lessons, it keeps up the curve of attention and helps long-therm memory.

Michele Qualified Italian teacher

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I am a native and CLTA qualified Italian teacher with two years of experience in both one to one and small group lessons in London. I am currently one of the Italian teacher at Happy Languages Ltd. school where I run classes at all levels up to 14 students per class. Recently, I also followed a didactics research based on the collaborative learning .
I am graduated in History of Art in Italy and I am now attending an on line Master course in teaching Italian language and culture to foreigners (ITALS) with the University of Venice to keep my skills and knowledges constantly updated.
I really enjoy all my classes because I can see how students improve their communication skills and I can say they respond well to my methods.
My teaching style is based on the Communicative Approach and focused on student’s needs. My lessons cover grammar and also cultural aspects because I am convinced that to learn a language you should also understand the real life of that country. That is why my lessons are mostly based on games and communication activities that create a good atmosphere among students and teacher and never make you bored!
I well know that learning a language might be hard and sometimes takes long time, that’s why I am very patient and I proceed gradually, I always make sure my students understand before go through a new topic.
I am very enthusiastic and passionate about my profession and my aim is to give my students a great learning experience.
Michele

Ilaria – Italian Native Teacher qualified and experienced

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Teacher name: Ilaria 

From October 1st 2013 to May 30th 2014 I taught Italian for foreigners, basic/intermediate English, basic Spanish to adults in a cultural association. It was my first experience in managing three language courses all by myself. The classes were small (mini groups: 2-5 people, sometimes one person) and the students were for the most part adults with different needs, abilities and background. I learnt to deal with their different needs and I realized how it is important putting oneself on the line, sharing experience and learning to learn. It was really satisfying putting a smile upon their faces each lesson, and also becoming someone they could rely on.

From February 17th to 28th 2014 I attended an internship in Italian language classes for foreigners. It was an amazing experience. The mini group (4 young students and a woman who came from all over the world: India, Iceland, Spain, Brazil, and USA) offered me the possibility to focus the attention on each person. Even if I was advised against speaking in other language than Italian when the foreign students did not understand something, I learnt how it is important to know other languages besides our mother tongue. First of all, if you try to learn a new language, then, when you’re going to teach your, you understand in first person fears and difficulties of students; moreover, you can quickly help to solve problems, especially when the language of the students is close to the language to learn.

For two months (June – July 2014) I had the possibility to teach basic Italian to African and Asian immigrants. After a basic course for teachers, and the exam for Didactic of Italian as second language, I felt more self-confident and more aware of my role as teacher.

I have experience of a number of years of teaching students through private lessons. Since I’ve arrived here in London (August 2014), I keep on teaching my mother tongue through private lessons.

My teaching style is authentic and communicative. I experienced myself how enjoyable, relaxing, interesting and quick for anyone learning through the use of lively, and up-to-date materials: songs, books, magazines, newspapers, films, etc., which make learning more fun and authentic. I like creating a positive and peaceful learning environment where I can improve the main four language skills of students.

Parli italiano? Qualified Italian teacher – One to one lessons

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My name is Karen M. I am an Italian citizen (Italian is my native language) with solid and extensive experience in teaching Italian overseas.

In 2004 I graduated from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan, Italy) with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Media/Film Studies. In 2005 I moved to Melbourne (Australia) where I became a fully qualified teacher after completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Teaching), and taught Italian here for 9 years.

I recently decided to move to London to be closer to my family.

While overseas, I taught Italian at all levels (beginners to advanced) to students of all ages and abilities in both language centres and high schools.

When teaching, I employ a variety of teaching methods such as the communicative method; as well as audio-lingual, direct and sociocognitive approaches among others.

This means, for instance, that my learning activities include a varied range of tasks that mimic the use of the Italian language in real life situations. Grammar rules are never the focus of a lesson. Grammar is taught inductively; rules are generalised from practice, experience and examples.

The acquisition of the ability to speak in another language has mainly communicative purposes. In that sense, it goes beyond grammar, including body language, cultural assumptions and it is context specific. Learning a language is a social activity and it should be fun! Learning Italian also means developing an understanding of Italian culture, customs and traditions.

In my lessons I like to create a friendly and enthusiastic environment were everyone feels comfortable in participating and is engaged in the activities.

When teaching, I like to incorporated the use of ICT both in class and to support individual extended learning outside classroom. I aim to create lessons that focus on the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills using all sort of authentic material (newspaper, magazines etc.), audio-visual texts (tv commercials, songs, films etc.) and recordings, just to mention some.

I am very passionate about Italian language and culture and I am writing to you in the hope to be able to continue teaching Italian also in London.

Thank you,
Karen