Comment from Rika

From the beginning Steve taught me to have confidence in speaking English.
I’m an outgoing person and I’m not afraid of talking to people who I’ve never met.
However when I spoke to people in English for the first time, the words couldn’t come out at all and I couldn’t even say 90 percent of all I wanted to say. So it made me rush and I was always irritated and I lost my confidence. It was a vicious circle. I think that many of the Japanese who study English have the same problem as I have.
On such occasions, Steve always said “Don’t panic” and “Calm down" I learnt that these are very important for me.
Another important thing is,he can listen attentively to my speaking and he can correct my mistakes after I finish speaking. It is difficult for me to try to speak English quickly and it takes a long time, but he can wait with patience until I finish speaking. In reality, nobody waits for me to say everything I want to say, so I feel that taking time in Steve’s lessons is precious time for me. He taught me the way to make a sentence while I spoke in English as well. Therefore I’m getting back my pace and my confidence.
I think that a non English speaker needs a lot of time to make sentences in English. It’s important that a teacher can wait for you patiently without yawning. Because if you saw a teacher who was getting tired of listening to you as you spoke English,you would become nervous and wouldn’t be able to continue to speak English.
So you need a teacher who is patient and you should definitely find a teacher who has a lot of skill teaching English. I think that Steve is a person like that.

Comment from Natalia

I have been studying English for some years and I know that this is a never ending process. Also I know how it is important to find a really good teacher of English who knows your weaknesses, encourages you and helps you to improve yourself without putting you down. I found this teacher, Steve in London and I appreciate his teaching methods a lot. His lessons are very informative but never boring. What
I like the most is his individual attitude to each student because he understands that students from different countries have different problems. I really enjoyed his lessons. Thank you Steve, you do good work ! If I´m ever in London again , I´ll certainly contact you and ask you for some more lessons.
Natalia Nikitenko
Brno, Czech Republic

Comment from student

Steve was my regular teacher of FCE(First Certificate in English) prep course in 09.
I was really nervous because I didn't have enough confidence about the speaking test , then I asked him for private lesson after school.
Steve has a great teaching skill based on his long career and he provides high quality lessons.
His lessons are very relaxing and easy to understand which goes along with each student's wish.
He is very kind, friendly and entertaining, so it was always a pleasure for me to talk with him about music, art, life, etc.
Having been encouraged by his " Don't panic! ", I became calmer under pressure, and in the end, I managed to pass the exam. I really appreciate him teaching me. :)

LESSONS

ASSESSMENT
Your fiirst session is free and lasts about forty minutes.
During that time I do a needs analysis and assess your level of English.
There may be a short written test depending on your level.

LEVEL OF ENGLISH
From false-beginner* to advanced
* means your level may be low but you studied some English at school

LOCATION
Lessons can take place in our flat in Mejiro where it's quiet, there is free coffee or tea (with biscuits) and a garden where you can relax (or smoke) during the break) My computer and copier are here so it's easy to access additional materials when needed)

If this is not convenient for you, I can come to your home or work place if the travelling time is OK (eg 30 minutes JR). The best time slots for this are 10.00 to 12.00 [a.m.] or 6.00 to 8.00 [p.m.]

I occasionally do lessons in cafes, but this is not the ideal learning environment. However if you live in Yokohama we can, for example meet in a Renoir cafe in Shibuya!!

TIME
Monday to Friday : 10.00 AM to 8.00 PM.
Saturday : 1.00 to 6.00 PM.

FREQUENCY
For maximum learning, by far the best option is minimum one slot per week (one hour or two lessons of 45 minutes)

For more information contact Steve.

METHODS

TEACHING METHODS / LESSON CONTENT
My methds are eclectic. The aim is to give you what you want, and what you need. Apart from the latest course books, I have a large bank of my own materials, and also create new materials to suit your needs.
All language skills are practised, with the emphasis on giving you the CONFIDENCE to use those skills, especially in SPEAKING and UNDERSTANDING. Perhaps you're planning a holiday in Australia, or a business trip to England. Or you work for a company in Japan where English is used a lot. Or you just want to understand more of your favourite songs/films/TV series in English! I can help you.
Grammar is, of course, very important too. If you want to know how to use 'a' and 'the' correctly, or if you don't know the difference between 'she's been to the bank' and 'she's gone to the bank' or why we say' I'm looking forward to seeING you' I can help you.
And, of course, pronunciation is crucial. If the other person can't understand what you say, your 900 plus TOEIC score isn't much use. If you have problems saying 'right' and 'light'. or it's difficult for you to say 'absolutely delicious' or 'ecstasy'.....I can help you.
And if you're a university student who has to write essays, or a business person with reports to write, or you just want to E-mail your Italian boyfriend in English......I can help you.
There is homework, of course, about an hour a week. and you can E-mail me with any language problems you encounter between lessons. You can also borrow graded reading books from my library and I'll advise you on the best ways for you to improve your English on your own.
I have used songs, cognitive grammar exercises, poems, role plays, cuisinaire rods, Jazz chants - whatever works for you!!

STUDENT PROFILE
In one-to-one teaching the teacher/student relationship is crucial, They must CONNECT so there is mutual trust and respect, I'm looking for people who are MOTIVATED. who really want to learn. People who have a good sense of HUMOUR (★see Steve"s Japanese "bloomers" ) And people who are CREATIVE in some way- in their work or personal lives.
My present students fulfill these criteria and, I hope, are making really good progress. (see student comments)
Age range tends to be late twenties upwards.

PROFILE

EXPERIENCE
I've been teaching English for more than 15 years,in England, Holland, Portugal and now Japan. In England I taught at three British Council accredited schools - most recently, for seven years, at the St John's Wood School of English. During this time I've taught over a hundred Japanese people one-to-one, and many more in group classes.
Since moving to Japan December 2006, I've concentrated on one-to-one teaching.

QUALIFICATIONS
BA (Hons) University of Warwick.
English and American Literature
Dip TEO (Teaching English Overseas)
University of Manchester
(A one year teacher-training course.Teaching practice in Portugal.)
Thesis: Teaching vocabulary to elementary students.

INTERESTS
I play guitar and am recording on my Apple Mac. I love music (especially Sixties Pop--Beatles/ Beach Boys) but have wide tastes taking in Chopin, Ray Charles and Cornelius, I love gardens and gardening, cooking ( my chicken teriyaki is not bad) ,reading ( Murakami Haruki at the moment) ,films, football ( Nottingham Forest are my team) and my wife Chiaki (but not in that order)
I speak French and Dutch and am learning Japanese - slow progress but I've managed to write a not very good haiku in Hiragana And when the chemistry is right between student and teacher, I love teaching English.