From United StatesLiving in Akron, United States (14:27 UTC-04:00)
Intermittent unavailability through April 2023. Please contact me for special arrangements.
About Me
italki teacher since Feb 19, 2021
Thanks for your interest. I’m a seasoned, interdisciplinary educator, applied anthropologist, language instructor, evaluator, and artist with over 40 years of professional, international experience. In addition to nearly 10 years of ESL teaching experience at multiple levels, I have 12 additional years of teaching experience in applied anthropology, Spanish, special education, and art. Before getting married in 1993, I was an ordained monk for nearly 8 years . Throughout the years I have studied, taught, and created art.
TESOL since 1981. Anthropology (Ph.D.); Int'l & Comp. Ed. (M.Ed.); Theology (M.Div.); & Spanish (BA)
My creations
Me as a Teacher
As a teacher I’m guided by a line from Don Quijote, “Cada uno es hijo de sus obras.” (“We are all the children of our accomplishments.”) and an anthropological observation that “education is identity change.” Learning is more than the acquisition of new skills, it’s the emergence of a new identity. I first saw it in my dissertation research, and then I began to see it everywhere. Learning anything new, especially another language, means becoming someone new. These insights continually challenge me to offer relevant instructional opportunities that allow learners to experience themselves engaging in new practices that they can then convert into newer versions of themselves.
My lessons & teaching style
Language teaching has evolved over the 40 years that I’ve been teaching. In my instructional approach, which is heavily influenced by my training and experience in anthropology and sociolinguistics, I try to include methods and practices that have endured the test of time. After presenting an overview of the lesson, I begin with traditional exercises that activate listening, speaking, and writing skills. These interactive exercises are linked to the lessons' themes, and they set the stage for content- and situation-based activities that emphasize communicative competence. When possible, I also like to include reading and writing during and after the session accompanied by verbal reflection.
Work Experience
2021 - 2021
Community Tutor iTalkiiTalki - Merced, United StatesI've had over 700 lesson with over 76 students so far.
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Certificates
Certification of Employment University of Pittsburgh 1982I taught a writing course at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA in the English Language Institute.
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ESL Supervisor's Evaluations Public Schools of the District of Columbia 1991I taught ESL in 1991 - 1992. I present my supervisor's evaluations.
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Certification of Employment Merced Community College District 2019I taught English as a Second Language to adults in a Noncredit program from Jan. through Xec ember, 2019.
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Certification of Employment University of California, Merced 2018I designed and taught English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses in 2017 and 2018 that provided professional development for university staff for whom English was their second language.
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5.0
Rating
76
Students
718
Lessons
100%
Attendance
99%
Response
5.0
Rating
76
Students
718
Lessons
100%
Attendance
99%
Response
English Lessons
Advanced Conversation in English with Feedback
B2 - C1Conversation Practice371 lessons completed
USD 25.00
Package with 20% off
Advanced Conversation for Communicative & Interactive Competence
C1 - C2Conversation Practice207 lessons completed
USD 25.00
Package with 20% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
My creations
Quiz (1)
120 Reviews
Rose Wang
22 English lessons
Talking to Paul every time not only is a new experience, but also I feel really pleased and cheerful about that.
Jan 19, 2023
Carol Lin
5 English lessons
Paul is a great mentor not only in terms of teaching, but also in the sense that he could often provide valuable insights into some real-life problems such as interview preparation.
Nov 22, 2022
Max~ lawyer in China
13 English lessons
highly recommend
Oct 11, 2022
Mike Blinkov
56 English lessons
Paul helps me develop both my speaking and grammar skills. I take classes on a regular basis and I like it that he always asks interesting questions and maintains the conversation. He listens and respects your opinion no matter how old you are.
Aug 18, 2022
Rose Wang
22 English lessons
I was really happy to talk with Paul about some interesting topics, which gave me new insights every time.He is my best chat partner.Every time in this process, I feel very happy to express what I want.Paul was also very patient in pointing out my grammatical mistakes and expanding my vocabulary. Thank him very much.
Jul 27, 2022
QIYI
16 English lessons
It was always a pleasure to talk to Paul. I am so glad to talk to him after almost one year. As usual, we covered several topics, anthropology, linguistics, dialects. Look forward to our next session!