Zoe Tutor Interview

Q. Hi,Zoe. So, you have many years teaching experience, what made you want to start teaching language?: A. I studied for my TEFL diploma during my first pregnancy. My idea was just to help local French children with their school work. After my first child was born, I discovered the pleasure of teaching her how to talk. (My children are all bilingual (English – French)) I stayed at home to look after my family and often looked after other local children who were fascinated by my strange language. That’s when it all started really. I suddenly had requests for lessons from adults, then requests for lessons from people further afield, by telephone; then I discovered Skype! Wow, what a difference that made! Now I can share my language with people from all over the world and I love it!
Q. What would you say are the biggest features of your lessons?: A. I am not a typical classroom style teacher. All of my lessons are based on normal everyday friendly conversation. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn through a friendly chat, outside of the classroom environment. I like to use humour too; if a student enjoys the lesson and laughs a little, they remember a lot more.
Q. What level of English should students have before taking your lessons? And what kind of person might benefit most from them?: A. Anyone can take my lessons. Yes, of course it is more difficult for an absolute beginner (webcam makes it easier), but I am more than used to teaching people who have never heard a word of English. What kind of person would benefit most? I’d say someone who seriously wants to learn my mother tongue; someone who isn’t afraid of making mistakes; someone who just wants to practice speaking English. I have a moto: “practice makes perfect”!
Q. You also teach English to children. Imagine you’re a Japanese mother. What would you tell your child to do if she or he wishes to have a career abroad?: A. Encourage them to practice speaking for a few minutes every day, even 10 minutes a day makes a huge difference. Read as much as possible in English, watch TV in English, listen to English language radio stations….The most important thing is to get used to hearing the language around you, even if you don’t understand it at first.Parents can help: offer encouragement, offer praise (even if they don’t really understand themselves), don’t push a child into learning if they don’t want to… Parents who do speak English could try practicing with the child too. Do some research into different countries and cultures to help them to choose what they want to do and where they want to go… Just offer support!
Q. I know this is a personal question, but what do you do on your holidays?: A. Holidays? I’d love a real holiday, but with 3 very young children and our animals, it is difficult. We visit family sometimes, but for the most part, I spend my holidays at home with my children. Real holidays will come later! When I manage to get some time to myself, I enjoy reading or doing embroidery and we all love swimming!
Q. Can you give some comments or words of advice to our students?: A. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes…. the role of a teacher is to correct you by teaching you, no-one is going to laugh at you or criticise. Don’t take too many lessons: 30 or 50 minute lessons are perfect; any longer and you loose concentration. Try to practice speaking as much as possible, at least 1 hour a week is ideal. Relax and enjoy your learning experience!