Hi..
I'm an ESL teacher and freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. I've taught German and English courses at various institutions, including the Beverly Hills Lingual Institute and the Learnet Academy in Los Angeles, as well as at the EC Language Center in London and Xiamen University in China.
I studied at Santa Monica College and UCLA in Los Angeles and the John F. Kennedy Institute of the Free University in Berlin.
I love the arts and travelling. I feel passionate about learning more about other cultures. I like to throw myself into new and challenging situations, because that's when I feel mostly alive.
I used to be an ESL student in the U.S. 18 years ago, so I know about all the obstacles that one faces by having to write, study and learn things in a language other than one's own.
I've been teaching oral English and TOEFL IBT courses. Having a background and an interest in psychology, I try to be a bit experimental in my classrooms to keep my students motivated and to find more creative ways to teach.
In my opinion, hard work and discipline are important aspects by learning a new language. Yet, more important is the love for what one wants to learn; it's like sailing along with the wind, instead of against it.
I hope you all achieve your personal goals.
Happy 2009.
Simone
