Darren

I am a friendly, warm, outgoing and supportive person. I have a wide range of interests including, history, science, politics, travel and nature. I am very well read (particularly history) and I have a good general knowledge. I have lived abroad in Finland, Italy and the U.S.A for about 18 years. I have traveled widely, worked with adults and children from many different countries and backgrounds and have a very good knowledge of cultural issues. I graduated from Reading University with a 2:1 honours degree, I have a Cambridge/RSA Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I have also been successful at examinations myself: At A' level I achieved an A grade in History, a B in English and a B in Public Affairs and also an S' Level with Merit in Public Affairs. I have also been successful at languages: I speak Finnish and Italian fluently and at G.C.S.E I have achieved A* grades at French and Spanish. My main hobby is chess, as a player I have won county championships at junior and senior level and in addition I am an internationally qualified chess coach and have been manager of Finland junior teams five times at international competitions

Tutoring Experience

I have taught English as a foreign language to children and adults since 1996 in England, Italy and Finland. I have been a Course Director for the Bell Language Schools young learners courses and I was a Head Teacher for Finland's biggest language training company, AAC Global from 2010-2016. I continue to teach English online and face-to-face to adults and children. I have also taught Italian and I would be very capable of teaching History up to A'level, having achieved a grade A myself as well as having studied British and American history courses at university level.

Tutoring Approach

I always focus first and foremost on the student's needs and make sure I create a relaxed and friendly teaching environment . My main aim is to develop spoken and written communicative competence and wish to deliver lively and entertaining teaching sessions. I believe I am particularly good at motivating my students and many of them have achieved great success with their English studies and chess results. My own 14 year old daughter has been the best female chess player for her age for the last 7 years in Finland, as well as the city (Tampere and district) junior champion (boys and girls) 3 times.