Highly qualified English teacher - online lessons (Academic, Business, General and exam English including OET, IELTS & 11+)

Find out more about Louise

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I am a native English speaker teacher, born and raised in the UK.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  After a lot of thought, I think it has to be Paddington Bear! Paddington's story is all about welcoming and valuing diversity. He came to London from Peru and was looked after by the Brown family. He is a well-mannered bear who loves marmalade and afternoon tea and is named after a famous London station.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  There are so many English traditions that I love - Easter egg hunts, singing Christmas carols and trick or treating at Halloween.
  
  I also love all of the funny sayings we have in English like "to have a face like thunder" (to look extremely angry) and "money doesn't grow on trees" (money is limited, don't waste it).

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  English is my first language and how I express myself every day. English connects people, cultures and countries.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Everyone is different. Different students find different things difficult. This may be connected to how your first language works or how you have been taught in the past. Often spelling and pronunciation, word order or tenses cause problems or it could be remembering vocabulary or just having the confidence to speak and use your English.
  
  
  For me, reading really helps the process of learning. You start to notice grammar and vocabulary in context, learn new words and hopefully enjoy the story or news article.
  
  
  Making an effort to recycle vocabulary and grammar is important. Write sentences or stories at home using the new words. I usually start my lessons with questions using the language from the last lesson. Review. Repeat. Recycle!

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I studied Spanish at school and university. I have a really good memory so I had no problem remembering new words and grammar. However, I was always worrying about saying the wrong thing and making mistakes and this meant I missed a lot of opportunities to practise when I went to Spain on school trips.
  
  
  It wasn't until I started working in Colombia and had no other English speakers around to rely on that I was forced to be brave. I'm so glad I did! I made so many friends (who didn't care about the mistakes I made) and my Spanish improved as a result. Language is about communication. It doesn't always have to be perfect.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Teaching English has taken me all over the world and exposed me to learners of English from many different cultural, linguistic and educational backgrounds. These experiences have made me look at English from many different perspectives and try different activities and teaching methods to help my students learn.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I have over 25 years teaching experience at schools, colleges and universities all over the world.
  
  I like to find out about you, your interests and your English learning goals before I carefully prepare bespoke (individualised) lessons that will motivate you and help your English improve quickly.
  
  I care about you and your progress and finding ways that help you learn that are interesting and enjoyable.