Jonathan

Teaching has been a passion for me since gaining my CELTA certificate from International House Barcelona in 1997 alongside a love of the English language and visual arts. As well as being a teacher I am an artist and children's books illustrator, with 17 books published by Mexico City based publishers such as the Fondo de Cultura Economica, Planeta and Oceano. My books have been translated into a number of languages and are sold in Europe and South America. I love reading literature from a wide range of periods and genres giving me a sturdy knowledge of grammar, spelling, writing styles and dialogue from English and North American fiction. I also write short stories and songs.

Tutoring Experience

Since studying and attaining my CELTA qualification in International House, Barcelona in 1997, I've worked teaching English as a foreign language for 6 years for International House Sabadell in Spain, Eurolog Idiomas in Barcelona, Belgravia Institute Mexico city and Polaris Mexico City. In these schools I taught groups of 11 year olds, teenagers and adults, beginners, intermediate and advanced levels, Business English and one on one conversation classes.
My teaching experience also encompasses teaching art based workshops for the Royal Drawing School London, Community Interest Company Workshop 305, London School of Economics in London, centre for teenagers with learning difficulties Catic and a Young Offenders Prison in Mexico and Bristol University over a period of 10 years, from ages 9 to 80 and of a variety of backgrounds and abilities. As well as my Celta, degree and postgraduate certificates I have a Foundation level from Roehampton University in Art Psychotherapy and a Level 3 award in Education and Training from East London College.

Tutoring Approach

I am available for one on one English language teaching online. My approach involves discussing and assessing the student's needs and level of English language including pronunciation, grammar, listening, reading comprehension and written English. I firmly believe classes must be enjoyable and try to tailor them to each student's interests, needs and situation, bringing relevant material to work with. This may include recordings, newspaper articles, exams the student may be working towards, songs or extracts from novels. I feel it is important to make classes and study material personal to each student whilst also of good practical use. Areas in which a student needs practice and improvement we will focus on with clear grammatical or phonetic explanations using material relevant to the student's interests and/or situation.
Additional to classes I can proofread and help with writing of CVs or cover letters. Whether it be an essay, an article or an application letter, it is always a good idea to get an objective viewpoint, and I will give your piece of writing the 9th degree of scrutinization.