Experienced & Fully Qualified IELTS tutor / English as Second Language classroom teacher and private tutor for over 9 years.

Find out more about Emma

• Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  I grew up in a small village in the north of England, so English has always been my first language. However, my passion for teaching began in 2014, when I started tutoring English as a Second Language while living in France. Since then, I have gained formal teaching qualifications in Modern Foreign Languages. More recently, in Australia, I have specialised in ESL examinations, gaining experience with both Cambridge and IELTS preparation.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Geoffrey Chaucer is often referred to as the Father of the English Language (and English Literature). That said, I believe that today the fictional character Harry Potter, along with others from the film franchise, is more widely recognised worldwide as a symbol of British culture.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  One tradition I love is Bonfire Night, celebrated in Britain on 5th November. It commemorates a failed attempt to blow up the House of Parliament. Nowadays, however, it has become more of a social celebration, where people gather outdoors with family and friends. On a cold autumn evening, we stand around a bonfire, enjoy fireworks, and eat hearty food like pie and peas. It always feels like a magical occasion.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  English is now a dominant language in many fields, including tourism, business, and entertainment. Living in Australia, I meet many international students who need English to succeed here, whether for a short stay or for their long-term future. For me, it is important to remain curious about my own language and to keep developing my skills so I can better support my students in their learning journey.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Learning a language is always a personal journey, shaped by learning style, native language influences, and individual interests. This means each student faces unique challenges and strengths. As a teacher, I believe the key is to remain flexible, adapting lessons to suit each learner’s needs and personalising the process so they feel supported and motivated.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  When I was at school learning French, my teacher often included our names and details about us in the lesson materials. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but now as a teacher I realise she was doing this to keep us engaged and to build stronger connections with us. I greatly respect the effort she made to personalise her lessons, and I now make a point of doing the same when creating my own resources for students.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Living in Australia has had a strong impact on my teaching. At times, I have even struggled with understanding different accents and dialects, which reminded me how challenging and vulnerable the language-learning process can feel. This experience has made me more empathetic towards my students and deepened my respect for their courage, resilience and determination.