Jenni Wain

Jenni Wain Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Jenni Wain! Why don’t we start out by having you briefly introduce yourself?

A. Hello! I am a native English speaker and have been working as an EFL teacher since 2006. I have been lucky enough to experience teaching in several different countries and environments, meeting many interesting students and hearing their stories.

Q. Tell us a bit about where you’re from - according to your profile you are originally from the UK. Can you tell us a bit about your hometown?

A. I grew up as a military kid! My father was an RAF pilot and so during my childhood we moved every year or two. I spent my high school years in a small town in the English midlands where there were very few facilities for young people - no cinema, only one “disco” and very few shops. I was keen to leave home and move to a big city where I could see live bands and meet new people!

Q. It seems like you have been to a lot of countries! The US, Japan, and now Spain… do you have some interesting stories about your travels all over the world?

A. I have been very lucky and as well as living in various different countries I have also visited many fascinating countries on holiday and to travel and hike in the mountains. I have studied Spanish in Spain and Ecuador, visited jungles in South America, been on safari in Kenya and hiked on many different long distance footpaths including the Camino de Santiago (across Northern Spain), the Appalachian Trail (up the eastern Appalachian mountains in the USA). I have also completed the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage (twice). I love to wake up in the morning and know that I will be spending the day in the forest, or walking by the sea and maybe visiting some interesting place that I have never been before.

Q. What are you usually up to when you’re not teaching on Cafetalk? What are your hobbies and interests?

A. I live in the country and my partner’s business is buying, selling and training horses, so I spend a lot of time feeding, cleaning and looking after horses and dogs. Living in the south of Spain we visit a lot of local fairs and horse-related events and of course, meeting friends to eat and talk is a big part of life here!

Q. Can you tell us a little bit more about your professional background? What got you into teaching, and what motivated you to keep pursuing this career?

A. When I was at school my Mother wanted me to become a teacher but I didn’t like school and always insisted that I would NEVER teach! However, some years later I started a teacher training course as I couldn’t get funding to do the masters degree I had chosen and became a teacher of Business and Economics in London. After living in the USA for a while I decided to return to teaching but to change my subject to EFL so that I could work anywhere in the world. My Mother was right and I AM a teacher! I have done lots of different jobs but I always return to teaching as I enjoy seeing students progress and achieve their goals.

Q. As for teaching the English language, do you employ or recommend any specific study method?

A. Everyone is different – we all learn for different reasons and in different ways. I always hope to find a method that works for each student’s individual needs.

Q. A lot of students are probably curious about the atmosphere in your lessons. What can a student imagine a lesson with you to be like? What’s your “lesson style”?

A. I hope that my lessons are relaxed and fun but still include useful material and help students gain skills and confidence. I get a lot of reviews that say I am easy to talk to and that makes me happy as I know that some people are nervous before they begin classes with a new teacher.

Q. Since you offer a variety of lessons, is there any lesson you can recommend in particular? Or can you give a quick overview which lesson might be good for which type of student?

A. Most of my classes on Cafetalk are free conversation so students can set the agenda and choose a topic that is relevant to them and which helps them to improve their English in a way that is relevant to them, whether that is for work, study or travel. I also offer interview practice which is a very focused process. Always choose something that you think you will enjoy – improving your skills should be fun!

Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for your current and future students?

A. I would like to thank my current students for their support and for sharing their thoughts and feelings with me – I hear such great stories and find out a lot of interesting things about life in Japan, China and elsewhere.

If you are thinking of starting classes – don’t be nervous! I am friendly and practicing English should be enjoyable as well as useful. See you soon!

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Jenni Wain

Profile

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