About

Hello, my name is Seamus - and I teach English.

While spending a year living in Greece, I discovered to my surprise that it was possible to learn a foreign language. This was despite years of schooling in French where nothing seemed to go in. In Greece I had great fun talking to Greek people - and I found my Greek friends were very warm and encouraging as I stumbled my way through their language - this encouragement gave me huge motivation to keep going.

I was initially inspired by a book: "Fluent in Three Months" by Benny Lewis - where I applied the principles of just going out and trying to communicate with people - using whatever basic words or phrases, however broken, that you have already learned - and to focus on having conversations and fun - and thereby forming relationships rather than speaking with perfect grammar. To my surprise and great enjoyment I found that it worked! I have also had great inspiration and benefit from Michel Thomas, whose teaching and attitude I find incredibly encouraging and effective at starting to become intuitive and talking naturally - especially when you are learning the basics of a foreign language.

After coming back to my native England and graduating from University College London with a degree in Anthropology, I decided to take the language learning/teaching further and attained a Cambridge CELTA.

I went on to teach classes of varying numbers of students, of all levels and ages - in England and subsequently Spain. I am currently based in Italy.

Even though I am trained and experienced in formal/traditional pedagogy, I believe the current mainstream education system is not necessarily the best way of educating people.

Therefore I teach using my own approach - based on my experiences as both a language learner and a teacher. My way is very much about cultivating an environment in which the student can follow their interests and let their needs guide the programme. This style of teaching isn't based on any particular "method", but rather draws on all sorts of different methods and approaches - some my own, others already established. I try to see each student as an individual who learns in their own way. My classes are about cultivating a unique relationship with each student - helping to find their personal passion that will drive their own learning, rather than my teaching them.

The aim of this site is to provide a platform showcasing myself as a private teacher, a contact card and also a place to share my interest in all things related to language, linguistics, teaching, learning, education - etc. See it as a resource for teachers and students alike. I hope you enjoy!

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