Visited 14 minutes ago
Jon R
Smart Lesson
Professional TeacherTeaches
English
Native
Speaks
Korean
Chinese (Mandarin)
Other
Specialties
Test PreparationBusinessIELTS success and professional English for ambitious learners
Teaches
English
Native
Speaks
Korean
Chinese (Mandarin)
Other
Specialties
Test PreparationBusinessIELTS success and professional English for ambitious learners
About Me
Resume & Certificates
From United KingdomLiving in London, United Kingdom (08:31 UTC+01:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Nov 12, 2021InterestsTravelTechMarketingScienceBusiness & Finance
Hi, I’m Jon, a UK English educator with 10+ years’ experience helping ambitious learners make clear, measurable progress.
For IELTS candidates, most improve by at least one full band, and no student I’ve coached has ever scored below 6.5. For professionals, academic learners, and general students, I focus on building confident, natural communication that works in real life - whether that’s career advancement, university study, relocation, or everyday fluency.
I hold a Master’s in Finance, conducted doctoral research at the University of Queensland, and worked as a Senior Fund Accountant at Citi. I bring academic rigour and real-world precision into every lesson.
I work with exam candidates, university applicants, and professionals who need English as a serious tool for advancement.
My approach is structured and performance-focused. We build argument clarity, vocabulary depth, pronunciation precision, and confidence under pressure. Whether preparing for IELTS, interviews, academic writing, or workplace communication, we focus on practical progress — not random conversation.
Having lived and worked internationally, I understand the challenge of performing in a second language.
Every lesson is built around a clear objective and structured system. You receive detailed feedback on writing and speaking, reusable frameworks, and specific targets for improvement.
IELTS students train with band-specific strategies and timed practice. Professionals develop clarity, persuasion, an...My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Image files
- Video files
- Flashcards
- Articles and news
- Quizzes
- Test templates and examples
- Graphs and charts
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
IELTS tutor - Cambly - 2018
Certificate verified
MSc Finance - Plymouth University - 2018
Certificate verified
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (120 hours) - LoveTEFL - 2015
Certificate verified
Teaching experience
2015 - 2017
Professional English TeacherIn this role, I taught IELTS preparation, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. I designed personalized lessons to improve students’ language proficiency, assessed their progress, and provided targeted feedback. I helped students develop test-taking strategies, build confidence, and enhance their performance. My responsibilities included creating practice materials, conducting mock tests, and ensuring alignment with IELTS exam requirements to achieve optimal results.
2017 - 2021
Professional English TeacherI taught structured English lessons for adult learners who wanted clear, measurable progress in speaking, writing, and fluency. I supported students preparing for IELTS as well as those improving English for daily life, university, and professional communication. Lessons were tailored, practical, and focused on real improvement, with targeted practice, direct feedback, and strategies to build confidence and achieve consistent results over time.
2021 - Current
Professional English TeacherI teach structured English lessons for adult learners who want clear, measurable progress in speaking, writing, and fluency. I support students preparing for IELTS as well as those improving English for daily life, university, and professional communication. Lessons are tailored, practical, and focused on real improvement, with targeted practice, direct feedback, and strategies to build confidence and achieve consistent results over time.
2011 - 2015
Academic TutorIn this role, I provided academic support to students, designing and delivering tailored lessons to enhance their understanding and performance. I assessed progress, offered constructive feedback, and fostered independent learning. I collaborated with teachers and parents to align with curriculum goals. My responsibilities included lesson planning, creating materials, and adapting teaching methods to meet diverse needs, helping students build confidence and achieve academic success.
2019 - 2022
Academic TutorIn this role, I provided academic support to students, designing and delivering tailored lessons to enhance their understanding and performance. I assessed progress, offered constructive feedback, and fostered independent learning. I collaborated with teachers and parents to align with curriculum goals. My responsibilities included lesson planning, creating materials, and adapting teaching methods to meet diverse needs, helping students build confidence and achieve academic success.
Education
2011 - 2014
Bachelor’s - Criminology
2017 - 2018
Master's - Finance
Work Experience
2018 - 2021
PhD CandidateIn this role, I conducted research for my PhD at the University of Queensland, focusing on sociology & economics. I designed studies, analyzed data, and contributed to academic publications. I collaborated with faculty, attended seminars, and integrated feedback to refine my work. I managed research projects, stayed current with relevant literature, and presented findings. My responsibilities included writing research papers and engaging in academic discussions to advance knowledge in my field.
2021 - 2022
Senior Fund AccountantWorked as a Senior fund accountant supporting the preparation and review of financial statements for investment funds. Responsibilities included NAV calculations, reconciliations, and reporting. I collaborated with international teams across multiple time zones, requiring clear communication, strong attention to detail, and the ability to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced financial environment.
5.0
Rating
608
Students
5,717
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
English Lessons
Trial Lesson
348 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
IELTS Preparation - Raise Your Speaking Band Score
A1 - C2Test Preparation1,949 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
IELTS Writing Intensive - Raise Your Band with Structured, Examiner-Focused Training
A1 - C2Test Preparation1,132 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
Academic English Excellence - Structured Writing & University Success
A1 - C2Language Essentials1,012 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
Business English for Professionals - Clear, Credible Communication at Work
A1 - C2Business869 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
General English with Measurable Progress - Structured Fluency for Adults
A1 - C2Language Essentials331 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
Finance & Investment English - Specialist Training for Finance Careers
A1 - C2Business12 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
Package with 7% off
Availability
178 Reviews
Feelmypower994
126 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
I highly recommend Jon as an IELTS instructor. His humorous and approachable teaching style makes learning enjoyable, and his extensive experience with Chinese students truly sets him apart. Jon deeply understands our learning habits, weaknesses, and thought processes, allowing him to tailor lessons to each student’s needs.
Thanks to Jon’s guidance, my English accuracy and fluency have improved significantly, and, more importantly, he has helped me develop stronger logical and critical thinking skills. Even during setbacks, Jon remained supportive, helping me analyze mistakes and create effective strategies for improvement.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and understanding teacher, Jon is an excellent choice!
Jan 9, 2025
Yutaro Shirono
314 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
He is the best teacher I've ever met. He has a lot of experience about IELTS and academic writing. He always helps me improve my speaking and writing skills. I can pass English requirement for postgraduate study in the U.K. because of his help. I really appreciate his kindness. If you want get high score for IELTS, he definitely helps you.
Jan 27, 2022
Lorenza
3 English lessons
Jon is a great teacher 🌸
May 3, 2026
Reyn
109 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
Jon is the best English teacher I have ever met! Not only does he have a very high level of teaching and can improve students' English skills in all aspects, but he is also a very honest, friendly and caring friend. I took English classes with Jon for a year and a half, he not only helped me pass the IELTS exam, but also discussed social phenomena and life planning with me and other in-depth topics, in such valuable and meaningful conversations, I have grown a lot, I am very grateful to Jon for all the help he has given me!
Sep 15, 2023
Lorenza
3 English lessons
Great teacher and Amazing lesson. He is flexible and detailled with his explanations. One of the best English teacher
May 9, 2026
Lorenza
3 English lessons
Great first lesson
Apr 25, 2026
Trial Lesson
USD 10.00
Your final payment will be made in USD
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