Vancouver English Teacher Services

Personalized Lessons

Learn what you want in a way that suits your learning style and schedule. Your language learning needs determine what we will cover and how.  We start with a free “needs analysis” during which we discuss your goals and what you want to learn.  I will make an individual teaching plan based on your needs, interests and learning style.

What can I help you with?

Click on a skill or level for my tutor services:

Skills

Conversation

Is your grammar and written English better than your spoken fluency?  I offer conversation practice in a friendly, comfortable environment.  Practise your conversation skills including "small talk", how to start and end a conversation, and how to disagree politely.

Listening and Speaking

Do you have trouble understanding spoken English?  There are strategies for listening for important information and understanding the main points.  These can improve your comprehension.  I have audio resources for all levels and in different accents for your listening practice.  

Pronunciation

The goal is clear communication.  We can focus on problem areas, and on fluency in speaking.  Practise the typical stress and intonation patterns of English!

Reading and Writing

Practise reading and writing at your level.  You can choose to read from newspaper or internet articles, from my collection of ESL texts, or from your own textbooks.  Practise writing paragraphs, letters, applications, and essays, according to your interests and level.

Grammar

I can work with you to develop your grammar skills at any level.  Grammar practice is integrated into reading, writing, and speaking activities.

Exam Preparation

Learn test taking strategies.  Practise and prepare for English proficiency tests including the CELPIP, TOEFL, IELTS and LPI.

A note to visiting Fellows: since 2010, the English-language Proficiency Requirements for licensure in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia are a TOEFL iBT total score of 95 with 25 on the spoken component OR an IELTS score of Band 7 in each component.

Levels

You may be at a different level for speaking than you are for reading or listening.  Together, we will identify your needs for each skill.  Here are some examples of the typical focus at each level:

Literacy

Learn to:

• read and write numbers and letters
• read and spell common words
• read and write simple sentences
• write your name, address, phone number and the date
• fill in simple forms

Beginner

Basic listening, speaking, reading and writing with a focus on communication needs for daily life including common situations at home, on the telephone, and in the community. Write simple paragraphs.

Intermediate

Build your ability to communicate in daily situations, including at work and in school.  Add to your grammar knowledge, with useful practise in degrees of formality, and functions like inviting, accepting, suggesting, and agreeing.  Introduction to essay writing.

Advanced

Practise with activities that use advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar.  Focus on reading fluency and comprehension, clear communication and expressing your opinion.

English for Academic Purposes

Prepare to meet English language standards in academic programs:

• learn study skills and test-taking strategies
• practise your oral presentation skills
• polish your research skills and essay writing

I will design activities using academic content from your areas of study, and can help you with proof-reading and editing of essays and assignments.

Medical English

I am a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with 25 years of experience.  Are you a medical professional new to Canada?  Do you want a career in health care?  I will work with you to practise and improve your medical terminology/vocabulary, medical history taking and report writing.