April A

April A Tutor Interview

Q. Hi April! Would you like to give us a short introduction about yourself?

A. Hi students! Thank you for giving me the change to share more about myself with you. First I wanted to say that yes, my name really is April, and yes, I was born in the month of April. Ha! I am 29 years old and originally from Arizona, but I have lived and traveled all over the world. I like to joke that my childhood spent in the sunshine has made me solar powered….cloudy days drain my energy, but sunny days fill me with joy! I enjoy traveling, watching movies, practicing yoga, and cooking big meals. My family is Italian, so we are constantly cooking and eating. All family events revolve around the kitchen. I am a vegetarian, so my food always includes a lot of fresh vegetables. Fancy salads are my favorite.

Q. According to your profile, you live in Washington state. Could you tell us about your current city?

A. I have lived in Bellingham, Washington off and on for a couple years. This means that I have been traveling around between Washington, Colorado, and Canada while trying to figure out where I want to build my life. I have just accepted a job offer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, so I will be moving there very soon! I love Colorado. The environment and weather is very similar to that of Arizona, except that it’s much cooler.

The people in Colorado also enjoy getting outside for many activities like public runs, charity events, and beer brewing contests and tastings. Colorado has the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, which are famous for breathtaking lake scenes and phenomenal ski resorts. I also like how there is still a strong Hispanic cultural presence, which is what I grew up around. This is especially great when looking for authentic Mexican food! Chili rellenos are my favorite. They are large, fire-roasted green chillies filled with white cheese, dipped in a flour-egg batter and deep fried. These are very heavy and takes a long time to make, so they are only eaten as a special treat

Q. What motivates you and what does not?

A. The decisions I make in my life are motivated by my desire to be independent, financially secure, and free to pursue any adventure that interests me. I need something to look forward to that allows me to dream a little and make exciting plans. Unlike most people, however, the one thing that does not motivate me is competition. I don’t like when pressure is placed on me to do my best simply because I am always trying my best, regardless of that pressure. When competition is present, I shut down and stop trying. I’d rather let the other person win so I can go on about my day feeling less preoccupied.

Q. What do you like to do on your holiday?

A. When I have a holiday coming, I try to travel to a different country. Learning about different cultures and traveling are my favorite things to do. I’m always adding places to my travel wish list! This year, I hope to travel to the Dominican Republic with my girlfriends and perhaps to Hawaii with my parents and sister for Christmas. We are work hard to save our money so we can take these adventurous trips together. I am very excited! If you are traveling to a country that speaks a different language, I have a piece of advice; learn a few phrases in that language and use them when greeting shop keepers, hotel staff, or taxi drivers before speaking your native language or even English. This is such a small effort on your behalf, but it is a huge gesture of respect to them.

Q. Do you have any recommended countries or places to visit?

A. Yes! Spain has been the most memorable place I have visited. Spain has a vibrant history because of its location at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. A variety of cultures have inhabited this country and contributed to the Spanish culture. There are traces of Arabic architectural styles in southern regions, like Andalusia. The food and wine often reflect the fertility of the land and the freshness of the sea. I also enjoyed the laid back attitude the Spaniards carry around with them. I love how they take a 2-hour lunch break called a siesta. This is how they refresh before they return to complete their afternoon work. What a wonderful idea!

Q. I want to know about your lessons! What is the main feature of them?

A. My lessons are about practice and comfort. Our lives are busy enough, so when you sign up for one of my classes, I want you to feel relaxed and know that I will gently guide you through your English practice. I make suggestions based on my students’ comfort level and English goals. For example, if you are preparing for more job opportunities, I may ask for your permission to interrupt you during our discussion to make suggestions or corrections. The best kinds of lessons are those that prompt you to make your own corrections.

I love students who actively participate! This happens a lot with my writing classes and TV show classes. I might highlight an error in a student’s writing sample, and ask him or her to correct it. Your ideas, revisions, and corrections are much more meaningful to your learning experience than if I am to present them to you every time. This makes it fun for both of us! Try a class! :)

Q. Please give a message to Cafetalk students!

A. I am sure you’ve heard this before, but I’ll say it again….practice makes perfect. I, too, am studying a language. I am a Spanish language learner, so I truly do understand the challenges you are faced with as a language student. It can be very frustrating when I know exactly what I want to say, but I don’t know how to say it. Learning a language is very difficult, and the English language seems to be one of the most complicated. Please do not be afraid or embarrassed to make mistakes. Mistakes and questions are welcome in my classes because I strongly believe that they help us learn!

///

April A

Profile

---