1. I’m glad you’ve come this far because finding out about the person who will be guiding your on your language journey is way more important than marketing spin. So, with this in mind, I thought I’d give you a little background information about me.
2. I’m from a town called Falmouth, which is in the county (region) of Cornwall. It’s not uncommon for Italians to have heard of Cornovaglia, but they often imagine it’s in Scotland or Wales. Actually, it’s the peninsula in the southwest of England, and it is home to the legend of King Arthur, the wizard Merlin and the sword Excalibur. Like the Scots and Welsh, the Cornish are of Celtic origin.
3. I moved to Italy in 2005 as a sort of culinary / climatic refugee. I am extremely happy to have spent 20 years living in Italy and absolutely love Umbria.
One of my favourite pubs - The Chain Locker
Falmouth hosts the Tall Ships Race every few years. Such beutiful sailing ships.
My English, Italian and Australian family
4.My husband is Italian, and my cat is bilingual (seriously, she meows a single syllable greeting to my husband i.e., “ciao” and a double syllable greeting to me i.e., “hello”.
5.I studied biology at university and am passionate about ecology, love technology, gaming, design, video editing etc.. I have also been heavily involved in the theatre since I was a child (performing, directing, teaching and playwriting).
6.I live in Spoleto, pretty much next door to the Vescovo, and I am proud to have never watched an episode of Don Matteo. I watch San Remo under duress.
7.My parents (in their 80s) are still going strong, and often come to visit me here. My mum, Chris, and dad, Clive, are extremely friendly and outgoing and they know more people in the town than I.
8.I teach in state schools (elementary, middle school and high school) accross the provinces of Terni and Perugia, as well as a conversation group in CPIA in Perugia. In addition to teaching English I also teach drama and Information Technology. In the past I taught the whole Italian state elementary school syllabus (in English) in a beautiful international school in the Castelli Romani hills. I enjoy the energy and humour of young people, and the wisdom and knowledge adults carry around with them. Being a teacher is great for putting you in contact with people from all walks of life.
9.I laugh a lot and enjoy having fun with my students. I incorporate modern technology and AI into my teaching when students like it, otherwise, I really enjoy paper based work too.
10.I am a native English speaker, and I have a very neutral accent. From early on, I try to keep the pace I speak with you as natural as possible. So, at times that may feel faster than low-level listening exercises. I have an infinite amount of patience though, and am happy to repeat and rephrase things until you understand. I genuinely see mistakes that students make learning a language as being positive things. I don’t like my students apologising for their English, because imperfection is what makes life exotic.
11.I’m exceptionally good at preparing students for Cambridge exams. I also cook incredibly well.
12.My studio is right opposite the Piazza del Mercato exit of Spoleto’s geologically-slow motorized walkway.
Una versione più semplice per te
Level A2
Hello! I’m happy you are here. It’s important to know the person who will help you learn English. So, here is some information about me.
I’m from Falmouth, a small town in Cornwall. Cornwall is in the southwest of England. Many Italians know the name “Cornovaglia,” but some think it’s in Scotland or Wales. It is not! It’s a beautiful place with old stories about King Arthur, Merlin the wizard, and a magic sword. The people from Cornwall are Celtic, like the Scots and Welsh.
I came to Italy in 2005. I love the food and the weather here. I am very happy to live in Umbria. I have been here for 20 years.
My husband is Italian. We have a cat. She is funny – she meows “ciao” to my husband and “hello” to me!
I studied biology at university. I like ecology, technology, games, design, and video editing. I also love the theatre. I started acting and writing plays when I was a child.
Now, I live in Spoleto. My house is near the bishop’s house! I’ve never watched Don Matteo. I watch Sanremo only when I must!
My parents are in their 80s. They are healthy and they often visit me. Their names are Chris and Clive. They are very friendly and know many people here in town.
I teach English in schools in Umbria – in Terni, Perugia, and other places. I work with children, teenagers, and adults. I also teach drama and IT (information technology). Before, I worked in a school in the Castelli Romani where I taught all subjects in English. I enjoy working with young people and also with adults. I learn a lot from my students.
I like to laugh and have fun in lessons. I use technology and AI when students like it. If not, I use books and paper – and that’s fine too!
I am a native English speaker. I speak with a clear and neutral accent. I try to speak naturally, even from the first lesson. I don’t mind repeating or saying things in a different way. I think making mistakes is part of learning. It’s nothing to feel bad about!
I am very good at helping students prepare for Cambridge exams. And I’m a great cook too!
My studio is across the road from the Piazza Mercato exit of Spoleto’s slow-moving walkway.
Attività per riflettere
- There are 12 paragraphs. What headings can you give them?
- What things are you passionate about?
- Which TV programmes do you hate watching?
- What do you like about your job or studies?
- What qualities do your family members have?
- Is there anything you are particularly good at doing?
- Why not write 200-300 words introducing yourself. We can talk about your text during your free trial lesson.
Leggi in italiano
Sono contento che tu sia arrivato fin qui, perché conoscere la persona che ti accompagnerà nel tuo percorso linguistico è molto più importante di qualsiasi discorso pubblicitario. Quindi, con questo spirito, ti racconto qualcosa su di me.
Vengo da una cittadina che si chiama Falmouth, nella contea (regione) della Cornovaglia. Non è raro che gli italiani abbiano sentito parlare della Cornovaglia, ma spesso la immaginano in Scozia o in Galles. In realtà è quella penisola all’estremo sud-ovest dell’Inghilterra, famosa per la leggenda di Re Artù, il mago Merlino e la spada Excalibur. I cornici (sì, si dice così!) hanno origini celtiche.
Mi sono trasferito in Italia nel 2005, come una sorta di rifugiato climatico e gastronomico. Dopo vent’anni qui, posso dire di essere felicissimo della scelta: amo profondamente l’Umbria.
One of my favourite pubs - The Chain Locker
Falmouth hosts the Tall Ships Race every few years. Such beutiful sailing ships.
My English, Italian and Australian family
Mio marito è italiano, e la mia gatta è bilingue (sul serio: a lui rivolge un miagolio monosillabico tipo “ciao”, a me uno bisillabico tipo “hello”).
Ho studiato biologia all’università e ho una vera passione per l’ecologia. Mi piacciono anche la tecnologia, i videogiochi, il design, il montaggio video… e sin da piccolo sono molto attivo nel teatro (come attore, regista, insegnante e autore).
Vivo a Spoleto, praticamente accanto al vescovo, e sono fierissimo di non aver mai visto un episodio di Don Matteo. Sanremo lo guardo solo sotto minaccia.
I miei genitori, ultraottantenni, sono ancora in gran forma e vengono spesso a trovarmi. Mia madre Chris e mio padre Clive sono persone molto socievoli, e conoscono più gente in città di me.
Insegno nelle scuole statali (elementari, medie e superiori) in le province di Terni e Perugia, e tengo anche un gruppo di conversazione al CPIA di Perugia. Oltre all’inglese insegno anche teatro e informatica. In passato ho insegnato l’intero programma della scuola primaria italiana (in inglese!) in una splendida scuola internazionale sui Castelli Romani. Amo l’energia e l’umorismo dei giovani, così come la saggezza e l’esperienza degli adulti. Fare l’insegnante è un mestiere che ti mette in contatto con il mondo, davvero.
Rido spesso e mi diverto con i miei studenti. Uso volentieri la tecnologia e l’intelligenza artificiale nella didattica, se piace anche agli studenti. Altrimenti, adoro anche la cara vecchia carta.
Sono madrelingua inglese e ho un accento molto neutro. Cerco di parlare fin da subito a un ritmo naturale, quindi a volte potrà sembrarti più veloce rispetto agli ascolti “da principiante”. Ma ho una pazienza infinita e ripeto o riformulo tutto quello che serve finché non è chiaro. Credo davvero che gli errori siano una parte positiva dell’apprendimento. E non mi piace quando i miei studenti si scusano per il loro inglese: l’imperfezione è ciò che rende la vita interessante.
Sono particolarmente bravo a preparare gli studenti agli esami Cambridge. E, tra parentesi, cucino anche benissimo.
Il mio studio si trova proprio di fronte all’uscita di Piazza del Mercato del tappeto mobile (geologicamente lento) di Spoleto.