| Name | John S. |
|---|---|
| City | Toronto, ON |
| Teaching | Polish |
| Native Language | English |
| Originally From | New Zealand |
| Working With | Youth, Adults, Groups |
| Levels I Teach | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Lessons Take Place | My Home/Office, Learner's Home or Work, Public Place, Online |
| Timezone | America/Toronto (PST+3) |
| Hourly Rate | C$35 |
As an experienced educator, and trained linguist, I have designed and delivered programs for adults in groups and individually. I know Polish very well through completion of formal academic study of the language and personal and professional contacts with Poles over the past 20+ years. My proficiency in Polish is at an advanced level, and I speak the language with a near native accent. I take a skills building aural/oral approach to help students become competent in understanding and speaking the language and I can also help students learn to read Polish.
As a linguist I have studied several languages, including some to an advanced level, and I have done a lot of research into the process of adult second language acquisition. I have also evaluated the design and presentation of language textbooks and second language teaching methods.
As a face to face educator I have worked with both individuals and small groups taking a skills building approach tailored to needs and goals. I have also designed appropriate learning plans and evaluations to support skills development and consolidation.
For conversational competence I take an oral/aural spoken language approach (no books or paper based exercises). For the beginner this approach is focused on building a complete skeleton of the language in an active, practical way in the shortest possible time. Other skills such as reading may be developed later.
Currently I am available in person most mornings Monday to Thursday, and am also available for Skype meetings some evenings.
While I can be flexible as to meeting place I would prefer to meet either at my apartment (near Wellesley subway station) or in the Toronto Reference Library where quiet study areas are available.
