Katie: United Kingdom: Jan 07, 2019

Punctuality and creativity are central to my character, as is a hardworking and positive attitude. The ability to adapt to different circumstances, excellent people skills, and an aptitude for coping under pressure allow me to succeed in goals I set in life, both professional and personal.
As a member of a choir for over four years my self-confidence has grown, and I have been encouraged to step out of my comfort zone. I thoroughly relish the challenge of learning new songs as part of a diverse group and find the experience of practicing and performing highly rewarding.
Volunteering as a student representative for the Open University Student Association on the Languages & Applied Linguistics programme committee has given me insight into problems students face when learning languages. I believe I can use this experience proactively to respond to students’ needs with confidence, using techniques that have proven successful in an academic setting.
I am supportive of the diverse needs and abilities of students which allows me to encourage students to believe in their learning capabilities and achievements. Further, my analytical skills mean that I am adaptable in situations, allowing for decision making and problem solving in the moment and for the future. If students’ needs change unexpectedly, I feel confident I will be able to respond to this change in a timely and appropriate manner.
Through volunteering and working at the Open University I have gained experience in presenting information in a professional context, in verbal and written form, and feel comfortable transferring these skills to a classroom setting.
I have used my mathematical abilities in teaching contexts, both with children and adults. During my A Levels I volunteered in a primary school, taking groups of six children of 9-10 years of age through extra maths lessons. In my current volunteer role at Sheffield’s Conversation Club I offer help to non-native English speakers who are working towards mathematics qualifications, working on understanding what questions mean when written in English.
During the classroom course component of my TEFL qualification I was able to practice many skills including eliciting information, focussing on student talking time, concept checking and activity planning. I feel these skills will enable me to create a safe and fun learning environment for students.