Michael F.

Michael F. Tutor Interview

Q. Hi, Michael F. please introduce yourself!

A.Hello I’m Michael! I really love teaching English and living in different parts of the world. I grew up in Pennsylvania, a beautiful state in the northeastern USA.

Six years ago I moved to Syria after graduating from university and I’ve been living in different countries since then. I enjoy moving to new places because it is a great opportunity to meet interesting people, learn from different viewpoints and experience new adventures. Some of my best memories are traveling through the desert with nomads in Saudi Arabia, scuba diving with wild dolphins in the Red Sea and living with a Moroccan family in North Africa. I’ve lived in Syria, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Germany, and soon I’ll move to a new country.

I also learn as much as I can abroad. I enjoy going to museums, cultural events and trying local food to get a better understanding of the people and history. Eating with locals in Johannesburg, going out in Barcelona and visiting scholars in Egypt are among my most insightful memories. The best experience, however, is developing a strong network of friends when living in a place for a long time.

Q. Please tell us something about Berlin.

A. I’m sad to leave Berlin because it has so much energy and is a center of education. It’s a place that is constantly changing and developing a new identity. Berlin is the type of city that can attract anyone, because it offers all levels and varieties of any hobby or activity: whether you like discos or symphonies, it offers the best of both; you can find classical and modern art and the people are as diverse as the cultural offerings. Berlin is the most international city in which I’ve lived. Every neighborhood has its own unique flavor and you will hear many languages as you walk through its many parks and visit its famous beer gardens. There is always something for everyone! Plus, public transportation is well connected and bicycles are as common as cars.

Q. What motivated you to become an English teacher?

A. I fell in love with teaching when I was working with Palestinian refugees in Damascus. My original plan was to return to the United States for graduate school in public policy studies, but I felt that teaching was a more effective way to have a positive impact on others. After working with refugees, I realized that I could go to places that aren’t so popular in my country so we can learn from each other and get a true understanding. It’s an effective way to see that people from around the world are actually quite similar, and education is the way we can learn to resolve conflicts, come together and improve society.

Teaching also gives me the opportunity to learn a lot from others, such as from students on Cafetalk. The ability to meet new people and share ideas is greater in teaching English than any other work.

Q. How do you spend your days off? Is there anything you’ve gotten into lately?

A. Spending time with friends and family is always the best. Meeting with people to explore nature, enjoying healthy food and exchanging ideas is a great way to enjoy life. I also love to read literature, both fiction and non-fiction, and I feel that it’s important to be informed about current events. I like combining all my interests, such as physical and adventure activities, cooking, learning and photography with other people in the great outdoors. Soon I will take a three-day kayaking and camping trip on a big river with my friends.

Q. You’ve studied foreign languages yourself. How has being a student yourself helped you with teaching English to your students?

A. Learning a difficult language like Arabic has taught me a lot about teaching and language in general. Most of all, it reminds me that language must be learned a little at a time, step by step. It also helps me to consider how my students are thinking and anticipate solutions to problems before they happen. It allows me to understand how important motivation and confidence are, so I’ve learned that the material must be interesting to students and the feedback must be accurate and compassionate.

Q. What are you most careful of when you teach your students?

A. Teaching in the Middle East has taught me that culture and context play a huge role in language learning and that exercises must be fun. To be effective, education of any kind must focus specifically on the goals of the learners and effective teacher think about the usefulness of each lesson and activity. That means we must carefully consider each student’s language level and experience, whether or not our students are feeling nervous or confident, what their hobbies and interests are and what resources are appropriate and exciting to use. Finally, it’s important to see how students react to our teaching and make adjustments when necessary.

Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for our students?

A. Learning a language is a lifetime activity. Even teachers constantly learn new words, rules and structures. Sometimes it feels like we aren’t’ improving, but this is normal for any activity and the more you learn, the slower the progress will feel. And when something is really hard and takes a lot of effort— that is when you are learning the most! The most difficult things we do in life are almost always the most valuable.

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Michael F.

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