Clare

I am a native English Speaker and completed the 130 hours TEFL certificate in 2012 which led me to my first position as a TEFL teacher in São Paulo, Brazil for 6 months. I thoroughly enjoyed this valuable experience, teaching mainly adults, which I believe will equip me for this role. Particular highlights were when students progressed, understanding was grasped and when they were motivated and enthusiastic to learn further. This was immensely rewarding and increased my passion to teach, leading me to achieving a first-class degree in Education & Childhood Studies in 2018. The combination of my previous TEFL experience and studying for this degree has strengthened my organisation and time-management skills, and developed my confidence. I have cultivated an eagerness for enriching learning, ensuring it is fun and for motivating students. I relish seeing students enjoying learning and I am passionate about their developing their English to a good standard and becoming successful in utilising their new-found English skills. Since my graduation in 2018, the desire to enhance my TEFL skills deepened and I recently gained advanced TEFL qualifications. Additionally, I became a Masters graduate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) passing with distinction and which I thoroughly enjoyed. My previous role as a Learning Support Assistant at The Sandon School provided me with a wider vision of classroom methodology and approaches as well as experience of working with students who have diverse learning needs. Moreover, I am currently teaching the National Curriculum to Key Stage 3 and 4 students (12–16 year-olds) who have Special Educational Needs (SEN). This role involves therapeutic education, building relationships, developing life skills, nurturing students, and participating in a variety of activities with them. Creativity and flexibility in lesson planning and preparation is required.

I consider myself to be friendly, cheerful and reliable with a positive and professional attitude, a team player, who can also work on her initiative. Moreover, I like to bring a touch of humour to the classroom to encourage student engagement and motivation. I have travelled independently and lived abroad which indicates flexibility, a willingness to adapt to different cultures, situations, meeting people from various backgrounds and overcoming language barrier difficulties. This also promoted my communication and interpersonal skills and self-reliance which I believe will support me in this role. Additional skills include creativity, problem-solving and patience which I am keen to demonstrate in the classroom. I am eager to develop my career as an TEFL teacher, to make a difference and furthermore, to be an asset to this team and continue my professional development. My hobbies and interests include travelling, reading, languages & linguistics, walking/hiking in nature, photography, the arts, going to the gym, doing yoga and playing tennis. Also, listening to music and cooking new recipes.