Online classes. Professional English teacher with 11 years experience. Improve your English with a patient and friendly tutor. My lessons are focused on you and your goals!

Learn more about Tiff

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I've been working in community education since 2007 and my interest grew from there. At first I worked integration, helping people who were new to Scotland to settle in and find jobs. I realised one of the best and most fun ways to do that was to become a teacher.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Honestly, every class and every student is different so I always start by asking them - what do you like, what's interesting and what do you need? That way class is about them and not about me. It's really the student who sets the topics. That's the best way to keep students motivated. I don't have any topics that I don't enjoy, although sometimes it's hard to follow business areas I don't know much about. The most popular topics are things like movies, TV, hobbies and then using business at work for meetings. I like to learn from students too, it makes lessons more interesting.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I've had some inspiring colleagues who I learned a lot from and who were very patient with me :) That helps me to remember that at different times we are all students and teachers. The biggest influence is probably the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire
  4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor? Listening so that you give better feedback, asking your students to set topics they want to do instead of imposing your ideas. Give clear feedback on what they need to improve and don't forget to tell them HOW to fix it. Be patient and be positive, learning is frustrating sometimes and we all need encouragement.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Listening so that you give better feedback, asking your students to set topics they want to do instead of imposing your ideas. Give clear feedback on what they need to improve and don't forget to tell them HOW to fix it. Be patient and be positive, learning is frustrating sometimes and we all need encouragement.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was studying at university, I realised halfway through my degree that in the final 2 years only books written in English were going to be permitted. Most of the books I was reading were translated and I really lost motivation and love for my course. My takeaway from that is that as much as possible, content should be relevant to the students.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Having so many different topics and lessons to prepare and remembering the details of each individual student. That's a lot of information. Also, teaching online changes things - some things are easier some things are different and we need to adapt. Doing what we do in the classroom just doesn't always work. Adaptation is hard work.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I became a teacher because I can see that education can really help people transform their lives. It's the key to so many doors. Seeing students open those doors is what keeps me motivated.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P) ?

  I'm a language learner too and this helps understand how it feels to be a student. It's a very powerful and insightful experience, I face many of the same challenges too. I've also lived, worked and taught in a huge variety of places, meeting people of many different nationalities and backgrounds. I think this helps me to connect with people which in turn helps me to communicate with them. If I had a superpower, it wouldn't be super strength or being able to fly. It would be the ability to speak every language in the world, fluently.