Nate

My name is Nate and I love learning and teaching. From an early age, I was enthralled by reading all sorts of fiction and non-fiction that has continued to this day. I grew up in western Canada, lived in London for seven years and have just relocated to Truro with my wife. Listening to and performing music is a great passion of mine, as is fitness and, of course, education.

Tutoring Experience

Since I was an undergraduate, I have tutored English (both writing for native speakers and EAL) and German (at beginner and secondary level). After study in Canada and German, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in German language and literature and found my way into teaching English in South Korea. Teaching Korean children from age five to sixteen was a hugely rewarding and enjoyable experience for me but I was often frustrated by the often conservative and dry resources of the schools that didn't allow pupils to have much fun in their learning.

When I moved to the UK, I worked in state schools in southeast London, first as a Teaching Assistant before acquiring Qualified Teacher Status and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education through a programme at the Institute of Education. I was a classroom teacher (Key Stage 2) for four years until moving to Truro in summer 2023.

Tutoring Approach

Whether I am teaching a class of thirty children or one adult, my first priority is to connect with the learner(s) in front of me. I need to know what they like and dislike, what they are good at and where they struggle, where they are confident and where they are unsure. I always strive to create a learning environment where all students feel comfortable taking chances and making mistakes. I believe in educational theorist Lev Vygotsky's idea of the Zone of Proximal development, and I am constantly assessing a learner's current level and the progress they can make (with support of a teacher or "More Knowledgeable Other") within a single lesson. I always look to challenge students out of their comfort zones while building their confidence in their own abilities and knowledge. As a teacher, I get great satisfaction from giving a boost to learners who struggle with the basics and those who are eager for greater challenge and mastery.