Meet our English Teachers

I love working at EC because of the diversity of the people: the students, the teachers, the staff, the suppliers, the agents. Every day presents new challenges and I constantly find myself amazed by the solutions and innovations presented by any one of the people involved. It really is a team effort and we work together to make a difference and to be the best we can. Happy students and teachers are what really make it for me and pride in my work and who I work with makes it feel less like work and more like an ever-evolving project aimed at helping people become the best they can; the best users of English, the best teachers, the best English language school. Feeling part of that buzz, that professionalism, that common goal, makes working with EC an Exceptional Career choice.

Use it or lose it! Try and recycle new language you learn as often and in the most memorable way you can. For example, if you study 5 new words per day, write a short story or blog including each of the new items – the more personalized and humourous, the better! You could also respond to our regular blogs for reading, writing and vocabulary practice: www.ecenglish.com/blogs/London

Teaching English is great! I can honestly say it changed my life. I used to work in finance, but when I was 25 I decided I wanted to see the world. The best way for me to pay the bills was to teach English, and I loved it so much that it has become my full-time job. I have learnt so much from people in this job – especially from my students. I talk to my friends and family about my job, and they always say how lucky I am – to be able to make friends with people from all over the world, to work in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, where people learn and exchange ideas, and to do it all in the most cosmopolitan city in the world – London! And you know what? They’re right! My other passion in life is music – listening to it, playing it, recording it. I’m always on the look out for new talent to do some gigs with, so if you play or sing, let me know.

Get organised! The English language has quite a few words in it, and it can be difficult working out which ones are useful and which aren’t. Make sure you keep an up-to-date vocabulary book, and try organising it alphabetically or by topic. This way, you’re creating your own, personalised dictionary. Also, make sure you have an English-English dictionary (you can get dictionaries for different levels, from elementary to advanced). If you look up a new word in your dictionary, put a tick next to it. If you find that a word ends up with three ticks, transfer it to your vocabulary book, and make it part of your active vocabulary!

For me teaching is one of the most fulfilling careers. I love the fact that every day is completely different, with new challenges, students and experiences. I'm passionate about what I do and even though it’s my job to teach, I feel that I too am learning something new every day.

Keep a diary! Every day before going to bed write a summary of that day's events. This will not only help you to recycle new language and tenses, it will also make writing in English a daily habit instead of a daunting task.

Soon after I finished my teaching courses I got a job working at EC Malta. Working there was fantastic, the atmosphere in the school was very positive and being able to finish a day’s work and go to the beach for a few hours was an extra bonus!
However, after a few years I decided I would give up the great weather to see some of the world and decided to move to London. At first it was an overwhelming experience but I soon learnt the London way. Now I can honestly say that I love the pace of life here, the excitement of living in a busy city and even the changeable weather! For anyone coming to London, my advice is to make the most of any opportunities to meet new people and do different things.
Teaching with EC is brilliant. It’s a vast business with teachers and students from all walks of life. Nothing beats knowing that each day at work is going to be different, with new challenges and the chance to meet new people.

Be an active learner! English is all around you and there are constant opportunities to learn, improve or practise different areas of the language. Every newspaper article has a few phrasal verbs which you can highlight and record in your notebook, every film uses a variety of verb tenses you can try and identify and every conversation on the underground can present some colloquial language for you to master while eavesdropping.

EC is an enjoyable environment in which to work due to the high standards set by the administrators and the teachers, yet it is also one where a relaxed and entertaining approach can be used. As London is such a chaotic and hectic city, this unique type of school makes the challenges which one faces seem more surmountable. When these challenges are met is when I most feel like Anthony from Texas!

Flash cards! Every student should have a set of index cards held together by a key ring on which vocabulary and even grammar are written in both English and your native language. You can then group together and review them when appropriate. There is something about seeing the English on one side, the translation on the other and the rhythm of flipping through the language on cards which really speeds up learning and most importantly memorization! So, flash away!