Information About Bryony - Weston-super-Mare teacher

Personal Description:

My name is Bryony, I am 26 years old and I am a recent graduate from the University of Hull, with a first class degree in Modern Languages (Spanish, French and Mandarin). Before going to university I travelled for a year and a half. I spent most of this time in Argentina, working in a charity organisation and learning the local culture and dialect. I also travelled to Brazil in this time, spending two months in and around Rio de Janeiro and learning the basics of Brazilian Portuguese whilst continuing to work with the same organisation. I am passionate about languages from the point of view of communication. Being a lover of art, culture and meeting new people, I find it amazing how learning new languages can open the door to fuller experiences when traveling, and to better connections when relating to the people around you.

Teaching Experience:

I have experience of teaching in the UK, China, Argentina and Brazil. My formal teaching experience has been in the in the UK where I have worked as a teacher at Wyclif School, an independent primary and secondary school in Machen, South Wales. My main subject was Spanish, but I also taught maths. I am familiar with creating learning plans for students and constructing and delivering programmes of study. In China I worked with children who had no knowledge of English and constructed a basic programme of language training for them. I worked hard to understand the culture and develop a plan that would be effective for the students - rather than trying to impose my own ideas . In Argentina and Brazil I worked with children and young people, teaching them drama skills and art and helping them to develop these skills in order to connect and communicate with those around them.

Teaching Approach:

I firmly believe that the most important thing when learning a language is to enjoy the experience of discovering a new way to communicate. Starting to use what you have as soon as possible and allowing you to build confidence in your new skill is vital. Understanding the cultural background of learners is critical to my approach and I adapt the learning experiences I develop to suit the needs of people I am working with. My approach to teaching involves building steadily on a good foundation, but not focusing on perfectionism. The best way to learn is to practice, to discover how to get by in different scenarios, and to enjoy seeing the world from a different perspective. Learning a new language is great way to discover more about yourself, to break barriers in your mind and see new opportunities open up for you. I encourage a lot of listening and speaking practice, as it helps you to understand how the accent and the expression come together, and allows you to develop your skill in a more natural way than purely using grammar books and written exercises. I believe in a balanced approach combining a thorough understanding of the basics using relevant, interesting material, whilst encouraging an appreciation for new cultures and ways of thinking.