Simon Cockerham

I was born in the UK but I have lived so much of my life in so many different countries I feel like my nationality is “The World”! I have a BA degree in Modern English Studies (including Linguistics and Literature). Also, a post-graduate diploma in teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESOL).

I have over 25 years of experience teaching English in such places as The Middle East, Africa, Spain and Portugal and Asia. I have an excellent understanding of other cultures and different races and societies.

Over the course of my teaching career, I have taught a wide variety of students for numerous organisations. I have taught classes of all sizes, from 1:1 up to 30+ in a class. (Even 84 students once in a class in Sudan!) I like to use a variety of teaching styles and I like to make teaching fun. In fact, I cannot teach unless it’s fun! I also enjoy developing my own material specifically tailored to the needs of my students.

Every class is different. Every student is different and learns in different ways. Part of the fun of teaching is finding a student’s own particular skills and strengths and working out what makes them learn best. I think building confidence in people is crucial. How many people have given up with a language or subject because they lost confidence or because the teacher was trying to force them to learn in a way that was unsuitable? I know I have.