leWhere are you from?
I grew up in Berkeley, near San Francisco, California. I’ve also lived in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. I trained to be a TEFL teacher in Mexico. I am a native American English speaker.
Do you speak other languages?
Yes, I speak French and some German and Swiss-German.
I am learning Spanish.
I understand the difficulty of learning and interacting with locals in a foreign language. Languages often have “false friends” — words that have very different meanings even though they sound similar. I can certainly share an embarrassing story or two!
It’s also tricky (a bit difficult) to pronounce certain sounds accurately or to put words together in the correct sentence order.
Why is pronouncing certain sounds difficult for some learners and easier for others?
Each language has its challenges.
If you are from Brazil, chances are you struggle with adding an extra sound to your -ed endings. If you are from Japan, the distinct “r” and “l” sounds will take lots of practice, so that lake doesn’t sound like rake.
How can I sound more natural?
English is a musical language and is stress-based (certain syllables and words receive more emphasis than others). Additionally, speakers link words together or use what is called “connected speech.”
To sound more natural and have a better chance at understanding locals, you will need to practice. “Wudjulik to learn English with me?”
What are your qualifications?
I hold teaching certificates in both Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Additionally, I have a Master’s degree in Education. I have been educating children and families for over 25 years. Currently, my focus is on teaching English, including business English and pronunciation, to diverse learners at all levels from beginners to advanced.
Why should I choose you to be my teacher or tutor?
I bring creativity, playfulness, kindness, and patience to every lesson. Read “the word on the street” section to learn some idioms and expressions, and to read testimonials from my students.
