| Name | Sylvia W. |
|---|---|
| City | Belize City, Belize |
| Teaching | English |
| Native Language | English |
| Originally From | Belize |
| Levels I Teach | Beginner |
| Lessons Take Place | Online |
| Hourly Rate | $35 |
My mother tongues are English and Spanish. I grew up speaking both languages in the home. My mother was a native Spanish speaker and my father spoke only English hence I speak both fluently. I have thirty-two years experience teaching both English and Spanish. I have been teach mainly Oriental students who are primarily from mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Thailand. I learn a lot from these students' culture as they are from varying economic backgrounds. I always consider that teaching is learning.
I was educated at St. Catherine's Elementary and attended St. Catherine's Secondary School. I have passes in the Royal Society of Arts exams in both English and Spanish and Literature. I did two years tertiary level at Centro di Studi di Bologna in Bologna, Italy. I was unable to achieve my baccalaureate due to poor health then.
In 1984 I was introduced to the Presbyterian pastor named Reverend Watts. His wife Betty employed me to tutor their two daughters called Joy and Halley. Through Mrs. Watts I met several Taiwanese who employed me to tutor them as adults and posterior later to also teach their children. These people were satisfied with my teaching and gradually my services were being requested frequently for conversational and grammatical English. Besides tutoring these secondary school students in both English and Spanish grammar, I also taught them English Literature, History and Social Studies.
I use what I call direct approach and ask them to listen keenly to pronunciation. I explain to my students that at first listening is key to develop their pronunciation skills. I emphasize grammar as it is the basis of languages. Often I will try to speak slowly and quite audibly for the student/students to imitate what they hear. I am available to readily teach both school-aged children and adults. I have no problem with either. I try my best to have them see the logic in grammar. We know the English language has its inconsistencies. I drill the students in homophones and idioms especially. I have them see idioms cannot be translate literally as it would result in utter confusion.
I am flexible. I can do morning, afternoon or evening classes as long as it is before 11:00 p.m. Belize time.
Online via Skype
