Mathew

Hi. I´m Mathew, from the UK, though I´ve lived more than half my life in other countries, in the Republic of Ireland, Chile and Spain. I have a bachelor's degree in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Derby, a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) from New College Nottingham, and a Young Learners Certificate, having completed a course on how to teach English to children, from International House Madrid. Recently, I have decided to settle in this charming, vibrant and cosmopolitan city, Edinburgh, and to teach English as a foreign language privately. My interests include reading, writing, languages, and playing the guitar.

Tutoring Experience

I´ve taught English as a foreign language for over fifteen years, mostly in Spain. I´ve taught general English for all levels, business English and courses to prepare students for the First and Advanced Cambridge exams. My career as a teacher started in and around Viña del Mar, Chile, in academies, a university and a naval base. At the naval base my classes were structured for specific purposes, such as preparing navy personnel for commissions abroad. It was in Chile that I began learning Spanish, which greatly strengthened my understanding of the frustrations encountered by language learners and the tools required to overcome them.

Tutoring Approach

Since gaining my CELTA in 2009, I have remained dedicated to refining my pedagogical approach. I firmly believe that fostering an engaging learning environment hinges on incorporating fun activities and utilizing relevant and captivating materials. To facilitate this, I have consistently integrated technology and software into my teaching methods.