English is one of the richest world languages in terms of vocabulary, with over 200,000 words in common use. This makes it a wonderful language to manoeuvre for those who speak it fluently.
In our multicultural society, of course not everyone speaks English with the fluency of those who have it as a first language, and therefore the language’s subtleties and scope are not easy for everyone to understand.
I have been teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) since 2004, plus teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) for 3 years before that. As well as creating my own courses and teaching materials, I also deliver training to other English teachers and create materials for them to use.
I have insight through my work into how ESOL learners often find difficult to understand English so well when they are outside of their classroom, due to being spoken to ‘too quickly’ or with ‘difficult words’.
In everyday life I very frequently witness situations where there is miscommunication between those who have English as a first language and those who don’t understand it to that level. This could be in a clinic waiting room, a library, on a shop floor or in numerous other services. Through my training and experience in my line of work, I know how to adjust language to avoid misunderstandings in these situations, and I am passionate about assisting staff in doing this.
I have delivered my ‘communication facilitation’ training workshop at various organisations, including Bristol City Council departments, charities and businesses. My sessions are tailored in length and in content to suit your situation.
I have a degree in Linguistics, a Cambridge/RSA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and a Level 5 DTLLS Certificate of Education with subject specialisms in both ESOL and Literacy. Most importantly, I can share my expertise in an accessible, friendly and focussed way.