English verbs

I am Yora, a self-employed English tutor. I have been working with adults searching for tailor-made English totorials or/and flexible learning schedule since 2013. The lessons I offer are pretty much focussed on good communication and natural learning in a modern way, i.e. with using IT everywhere we can.

My methods

I am a proponent of learner-centred approaches and methods which are non-directive and rely on learners’ intrinsic motivation. They usually learn a foreign language because they need it for their work, study, travel, etc.. At the same time, when they do it in an  enjoyable manner, in accordance with their nature, interests, and style, and with opportunities to choose their activities and learning materials themselves, it is also intrinsically motivated learning.

In professional terms, I try to creatively implement ideas and methods from approaches such as  Direct one, Natural Learning, Democratic Education, and in particular Suggestopedia, Montessori pedagogy, Summerhill and Sudbury Schools.

In practical terms, it may mean providing learner colleagues with choices and often asking them what they want to do, and whether they want to do one or another task. For instance, they can choose whether to use a student's book or not, and if yes, to choose among at least two alternatives. My primary focus is LEARNING, and I encourage the colleagues to be active and increasingly independent learners to the point they can confidently manage their own language learning themselves. Of course, efficient communication and IT are natural components of my tutorials because they are part of life.

So my pillars are:

1. Reliance on the intrinsic motivation (self-driven and self-determined learning); my role is to be learner's guide, to facilitate their learning, and encourage their independence;
2. Good communication;
3. eLearning (IT as inherent component);
4. Creativity and art.

What my students will learn

Firstly, my learner colleagues will achieve their learning goals, be they to cover a relevant student's book material necessary for passing an English level test, or to advance with their language command in areas they want or find necessary for their work, travel, study, etc., in a rather tailor made manner.

Secondly, my  learner colleagues will learn to become more independent English learners. As the language is everywhere nowadays, there are countless accessible learning options, and it is usually a matter of motivation, knowing how to learn, and good self-management to go as far as they need in it

My teaching experience

My English teaching career started in private language centres in Sofia in 2013. I have been working independently as an online English tutor since 2015.. Among my students, there have been from pre-school children (with the youngest one aged four) through teenagers to adults just before retirement. However I have specialized in and feel most comfortable tutoring English to adults. Currently, my online learner colleagues are usually white-collar workers and pink-collar ones investing in their English skills for the sake of their career.

Apart from it, I have been in the field of learning for almost thirty years  starting with my university studies in education, and then focusing on non-formal learning (outside school) and lifelong learning. The latter covers seven years as a professional in staff qualification and career guidance in National Institute for Education in Sofia, as well as fourteen years as an independent expert for the European Commission under their programmes related to education, lifelong learning, youth, and European Citizenship.