Method
Trust
The foundation is trust. You make yourself vulnerable by asking for my help, and I do everything I can to make you feel comfortable, so that our work together is a success.
While I am both smart and sensitive, you will soon see that I am not of a dominant personality type: we don’t have to do it my way; I am not always right; and I am not here to look clever … I am here to support you.
Listening
It’s never the same journey twice, but it always begins with very careful listening on my part. I really need to hear who you are, to tune into your style of communication (independent of any particular language), so that I can help you find yourself in this other language.
I am honestly not entirely sure how it happens, but after the first couple of hours I develop an understanding of how the authentic you sounds (or is going to sound) in English.
Realisation
Once I have a sense of how you sound, I can help you become your natural English self. We will work on the shortcomings you have already identified for yourself, and on any other obstacles that emerge from the sessions.
Some elements are always present. We will enrich your active vocabulary with the synonyms that work for you. We will explore register.
Other elements may or may not be appropriate. If we discover that rhythm or cadence is challenging, I may suggest we read poetry. If performance anxiety is an issue, we will explore it. We will identify and address any specific pronunciation difficulties as we go.
We will practise the interactions you find most difficult in a professional context. I will challenge and stretch you. For as long as you are “comfortable being uncomfortable”, we will continue. But we will never go beyond that. It isn’t boot camp. There is gain without pain!