Visited 11 days ago
Sean Kivi
Professional TeacherTeaches
English
Native
Speaks
Spanish
Other
Think in English, don't translate. SLA-based methodology for DET, IELTS, TOEFL & academic English.
Teaches
English
Native
Speaks
Spanish
Other
Think in English, don't translate. SLA-based methodology for DET, IELTS, TOEFL & academic English.
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From United StatesLiving in Manchester, United Kingdom (16:45 UTC+00:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Jun 21, 2021InterestsTravelArtMarketingScienceTech
I've taught English across 7 countries over the past 15 years to students from over 30 language backgrounds. I hold an MA in Translation Studies from the University of Nottingham and a Texas Bilingual Educator certification.
I specialize in test preparation (DET, IELTS, TOEFL) and academic English for multilingual families. Most of my students are intermediate to advanced learners who know the rules but still hesitate when speaking or writing.
If you've studied for years and still guess on grammar choices, freeze when speaking, or can't explain WHY you said something — my lessons will change how you think about English.Me as a Teacher
I don't teach rules. I teach thinking.
My approach is grounded in Second Language Acquisition research. Instead of memorizing grammar tables, you learn to understand WHY native speakers make the choices they do. I use a framework called Cognitive Moves — specific thinking tools that help you break down decisions in grammar, vocabulary, and speaking.
I ask a lot of questions. I want you to discover answers, not receive them. My students say lessons feel more like coaching than teaching.
I'm direct, supportive, and I won't waste your time with small talk unless you want it. My lessons & teaching style
Every lesson is diagnostic. I listen to HOW you think, not just WHAT you say. Then I target the gap.
My specialties:
- DET preparation (Speaking, Writing, Literacy)
- IELTS / TOEFL (especially Writing Task 2 and Speaking)
- Grammar for fluency — Past tenses, Present Perfect, Articles
- Academic writing and argumentation
- English strategy for bilingual families
Materials: I create custom exercises based on your errors. No generic worksheets.
Homework: Yes, but focused. I give you one thing to practice, not twenty.
Expect to think. Expect to understand why.My teaching material
- PDF file
- Audio files
- Text Documents
- Image files
- Graphs and charts
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Video files
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
Bilingual educator certificate - Texas Department of Education - 2021Pass Spanish proficiency exam to C1. Pass language acquisition pedagogy exam. Pass teaching pedagogy.
Certificate verified
TEFl - International open academy - 2021I took a 120 hour course and passed the final exam.
Certificate verified
Education
2017 - 2018
Master's - Translation studiesTranslation studies degree from Spanish to English.
2008 - 2013
Bachelor’s - Spanish interpretingI have a double major in ASL and Spanish interpreting.
Work Experience
2018 - 2021
Curriculum coordinator/TeacherI have curated content to help students successfully pass IELTS to band 7 and 8 and helped many students improve their English from A1 to B2.
English Lessons
Trial Lesson
0 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Past Simple vs Continuous — "Spotlight" Method
B2 - C2Language Essentials0 lessons completed
USD 25.00
Package with 4% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
Trial Lesson
USD 10.00
Your final payment will be made in USD