2006 - 2006
English TeacherLanguage Studies International (LSI) - London, Reino UnidoThis was my first teaching job after completing my CELTA. It set me off on a love-affair with English and languages in general as vehicles for communication, practical linguistics, grammar, and pedagogy - that is to say the study of learning and teaching, and how we might best achieve our educational objectives. I was blessed with a brilliant mentor in terms of both mind and heart. In his appraisal of my performance, he writes that, “Jay is one of the best young teachers I have ever met”.
2006 - 2007
English TeacherBritish English - Santiago de Cali, ColômbiaThis was the language institute where I cut my teeth as a teacher of ESL in the salsa capital of the world, Cali, Colombia. Experience with students from children to adults, beginner to advanced levels. I arrived to Colombia without any knowledge of Spanish, and started to learn through a book called Hugo Spanish in 3 Months. I have managed, thank God, to reach proficiency in Spanish. My foreign language learning experience puts me in the ideal position to help you reach proficiency in English.
2007 - 2015
English Language and Literature TeacherJefferson School - Santiago de Cali, ColômbiaBulk of experience in Middle and High School. My boss was another life-changing mentor & friend who taught me that to touch minds I must first touch hearts. Designed & authored much of the classroom material including writing assignments complete with student model plus accompanying language and literary activities. Head of Department and Principal write that I am able to shoulder "an immense workload" and that I left an "indelible mark on the school" in their appraisals of my performance.
2016 - 2017
Middle School English Writing TeacherBennett School - Santiago de Cali, ColômbiaInterim position that I took after taking a sabbatical year off work as a contracted teacher to pursue personal interests such as writing (my first language love) and bringing up my two year-old son. Had another lovely boss who appraises me as a "creative talent with excellent writing and communication skills...an engaging approach...able to motivate students to reach their learning potential." Although I was offered a new contract, I left after receiving a more attractive offer of employment.
2017 - 2020
English Language and Literature TeacherMontessori School - Medellín, ColômbiaI have always had something of a workaholic reputation, but Montessori School in Medellín stretched me further in terms of workload than I'd ever been before. Being a perfectionist didn't help! I believe that quantity should never be sacrificed for quality - here the balance was a tricky one to juggle. But there's always a silver-lining: I learnt valuable lessons on efficient use of time, & prioritisation. Boss writes that I have a "great willingness to help" and "values of the highest quality".
2010 - 2017
Cambridge/IELTS Oral Examiner and InvigilatorCambridge English Assessment - Bogotá, ColômbiaAccrued inside knowledge of how to get through standardised English tests such as IELTS, & Cambridge Main Suite Exams. Once one understands how one standardised English test works, one understands them all, at least to some degree, because much of the know-how & exam technique, is cross-applicable from one test to another. Through Teacher Experience, I have learnt that because of their limitations, I'm not a fan of standardised tests, but thank God, I know how to effectively prepare you for one.
2020 - 2022
Freelance NarratorACX - London, Reino UnidoI was brought up by a beloved father who would justifiably be described as a "book-worm". One of the routines he held sacred with his children was to read them stories before beddy-byes. His voice was full of colour & emotion - the words would leap off the page and come to life in the eye of our minds so that our imaginations would be swept into a fantastic world far away from home. I was led to narration, because I was told that I have the same gift as the old-man that I hold dear to my heart.
2021 - Atual
Freelance Teacheritalki - ColômbiaWhen you understand that we have all been given something special to share with others, there may come a time when you want to remove yourself from your comfortable box, and take a risk in the hope of injecting yourself with a new lease of life. This was the logic that I was presented with that convinced me not to go back and work for someone else on this occasion. Father Time will decide if cutting loose from the Matrix and taking the plunge was a stepping-stone towards a destiny fulfilled.