James
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Teacher Profile
- Primary-school English teacher in New Zealand and the U.K.
- Professional-English teacher at The English Farm
- Private ESL tutor in Paris
- Primary-school English and Science teacher in Nepal
- High-school English teacher in Australia
- Private Philosophy tutor to university students in Australia
- Biology: I was a research assistant at the University of Otago, New Zealand, for 4 months, working with ancient New Zealand birds and whales.
- Performing Arts: I managed an amateur theatre association for 1 year in Australia. I also have over 9 years' professional and amateur experience in theatre.
- Editing: I used to be an English editor with a scientific publisher and currently edit with The English Farm's sister site, Poligo.
I am an English teacher from Perth, Western Australia, who has lived in France, the UK, and New Zealand. I love having engaging lessons with my students and discussing interesting topics, such as evolutionary biology, philosophy, literature, and theology. In my spare time, I play guitar and boardgames, cook, and explore the local wilderness through hiking or kayaking.
I clearly explain difficult concepts and try to make my lessons enjoyable, as well as informative. I focus on enabling students to use native pronunciation and phrases confidently in conversation, while building vocabulary. I can also improve any other aspect of a student's English.
I have five university degrees: a Bachelor of Philosophy with a major in English, a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Certificate in Biology, a Diploma for Graduates in Zoology, and a Master's in Palaeobiology.
Every day is something new, yet, at the same time, structured. I know that I will be working the next day but I have no idea with whom I'll be working. That's exciting. And when it turns out it's a student I know and love talking with, I am even more excited to be working that day.
Things that make us different are having: flexible, yet (job) secure hours (In Europe at least, I am nearly always in work); easy-access to our colleagues for pedagogical/site help or for just shooting the breeze; an approachable, dedicated, and available head teacher; expansion opportunities in terms of business; prepared and well-designed/marketable (i.e.,students are actually interested in them) student courses; monthly training sessions and meet-ups; the 12-hour cancellation policy; side opportunities for work (e.g., grammar pages, discussion articles, social media); and quirky and/fun students.
Cheers for the good times, TEF!