Experienced English teacher, I teach conversational English and can help you in the areas you want to improve, send me a message to arrange a good time for a trial class.

Find out more about Sarah

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher made you want to learn it?

  English is my native language, but my relationship with the language has been shaped just as much by literature, travel and teaching as by simply speaking it every day. I studied English Literature at university, which gave me a deeper appreciation for how flexible and expressive English can be.
  
  I have always loved the fact that English can be precise and logical one moment, and wonderfully strange the next. There are so many expressions, accents, idioms and little cultural details that you can spend a lifetime discovering them.
  
  As a teacher, I particularly enjoy passing that enthusiasm on to students and helping them move beyond simply "learning English" to actually feeling comfortable using it.

• 2) Name the living, historical or fictional character who, in your opinion, is the emblematic representative of the culture in question!

  This is a difficult choice, but I would probably choose Shakespeare.
  
  His influence on the English language and on English-speaking culture is enormous. Many expressions that originated in his plays are still part of everyday English today, and his characters and stories continue to be reinvented in films, books and theatre.
  
  What I find particularly interesting for students is that Shakespeare also shows how much English has changed. Looking at older English alongside the language we use today is a fascinating way of seeing the language as something living rather than a fixed set of rules.

• 3) Is there a word, expression, tradition, or typical behavior in this culture that you find particularly amusing?

  British understatement always makes me smile.
  
  There is something wonderfully English about describing a complete disaster as "a bit unfortunate" or saying "not bad" when something is actually excellent. The meaning often depends just as much on tone and context as on the words themselves.
  
  It is also a great example of why learning a language isn't only about vocabulary and grammar. Understanding the cultural habits behind the language can make communication much more natural.

• 4) Why is knowing how to speak this language important, whether academically, professionally or from a more personal point of view?

  English gives you access to an enormous part of the academic, professional and cultural world.
  
  For students, it can open doors to international universities, Cambridge and other language examinations, and future careers. Professionally, English is often the language that allows people from completely different countries to work together.
  
  But I think the personal side is just as important. English gives you access to books, films, music, travel and conversations with people from all over the world. Being able to communicate independently when you travel can also completely change the experience of a place.
  
  For me, the goal of learning English is not simply to get a good grade. It is to reach the point where the language becomes a tool you can use confidently without constantly thinking about every sentence.

• 5) What is the main difficulty of this language and what can facilitate its learning?

  English spelling and pronunciation are probably two of the biggest challenges. English has borrowed words from so many different languages over its history that pronunciation doesn't always behave as logically as students would like!
  
  Grammar can also be challenging because English has many small words and structures that may not exist in a student's native language.
  
  The good news is that students don't need to memorise everything at once. I believe the best way to learn is through a combination of clear explanations, lots of exposure, regular practice and, most importantly, actually using the language.
  
  I try to make lessons active and practical. We might work on an exam exercise, but we will also discuss ideas, tell stories, practise real conversations and look at vocabulary in context. The aim is to make English something the student uses rather than something they simply study.

• 6) Do you have an anecdote related to your profession or studies that you would like to share with us?

  One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the moment when something that seemed difficult suddenly "clicks" for a student.
  
  I have taught students preparing for Cambridge exams from KET and PET through to FCE and CAE, and I have seen students go from being very hesitant about speaking or writing to becoming much more confident.
  
  One of my favourite parts of teaching is when a student starts correcting or challenging me, or casually uses a new expression without thinking about it. That's usually a very good sign! It means the language is beginning to become natural rather than something they are consciously constructing.
  
  Teaching has also reminded me that there is no single "best" way to learn a language. Every student has different strengths, interests and difficulties, so a good teacher has to be willing to adapt.

• 7) Help us get to know you a little better by telling us about your different trips.

  Travel has always been an important part of my relationship with languages and cultures. I have spent time travelling between different countries and have experienced what it is like to communicate in a language that isn't your own.
  
  Living in France has also given me a very different perspective on language learning. Being surrounded by French every day has reminded me what it feels like to be the learner rather than the teacher: sometimes you know exactly what you want to say, but the words simply refuse to arrive!
  
  That experience has made me even more patient with my own students. I understand the frustration, but also the enormous satisfaction that comes from gradually becoming more independent in another language.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof, besides this ability to express yourself in several languages?

  I think what makes me a good teacher is the combination of experience, patience and genuine curiosity about my students.
  
  I have experience teaching different ages and levels, from young learners to advanced students, and I regularly prepare students for Cambridge English examinations including KET, PET, FCE and CAE.
  
  I don't believe in giving every student exactly the same lesson. Some students need to build confidence in speaking; others need help with grammar, writing or exam technique. Some learn best through structured exercises, while others need conversation and practical examples.
  
  My role is to understand what each student needs and then help them make steady, measurable progress.
  
  Most importantly, I want students to leave a lesson feeling that they have actually used English, not simply completed another page of exercises.