About me
Why I'm different
See why I focus on courage, resilience and positive mindset, as well as language skills, to help students be more confident in their speaking exam, and beyond!
As an English teacher with over 20 years experience and a learner of different languages up to B2 level, I’ve had the opportunity to see both sides of the learning process, close up!
Whilst on my own journey to master Portuguese I’ve had to learn how to cope with many ‘embarrassing’ situations. At least that’s how I used to think of them.
But when I learned how to re-frame these situations with a positive light, how to recover from confused expressions or negative comments and how to keep talking even when I didn’t have the right vocabulary, things changed.
Suddenly, I started getting comments about how my Portuguese had improved and people started asking me what I’d done to improve it.
The truth was…I had the same level but I’d learnt the art of confidence and resilience. I understood how hugely important these things are for anyone trying to communicate effectively in another language.
After that, I saw myself improve greatly because, when my ‘listeners’ felt more confidence in me, the conversation flowed more easily. The result was… I had the chance to practise more but also, to learn more. A win win situation.
My methods
As a result of:
- my extensive experience teaching exam students
- my work as a Cambridge speaking examiner
- my own language learning
- and my studies into the power of a positive mindset, alongside other psychological areas
Exam knowledge
I teach students what to expect in the exam, what is being tested in each part and how to approach each task to perform better.
Mindfulness & visualisation
I guide students to use visualisation and mindfulness to help them perform better, both mentally and physically, when speaking English in the exam and beyond.
Speaking skills
I share essential vocabulary and structures to better prepare students for each part of the exam and work with them to practise fully.
Resilience & reframing
I show students how they can use resilience and reframing techniques to help them recover quickly from mistakes and deal with unavoidable challenges in the exam.
Short coaching sessions
I use 20 minute individual sessions to focus more intensively on the different tasks or skills needed to master the exam.
Practice exams & partners
I use real exam material and insights to support students and, when appropriate (e.g. Cambridge exams), pair students together to create a realistic MOCK environment.
About my students
How my courses help students after their exam.
After working with me, students not only feel well prepared for their speaking exam but more confident about their exam in general and about speaking English in other situations too.
Students also find that my courses teach them skills which can help them in many aspects of their school or professional life including:
- Giving presentations, speeches or talks
- Taking other exams or tests
- Performing in interviews
- Dealing with any kind of situation where nerves and confidence can be a real problem
Confidence
- noun. Belief in oneself.
Sureness, self-reliance, courage, determination, and spirit.