Benjamin

Certified Tutor

I believe that education and learning are keys to a fulfilling and happy life. Not only does education open opportunities, but understanding the world more deeply helps us better interact with and relate to people and situations around us. I graduated from Calvin College in 2008 after studying English, Linguistics and Philosophy, and while for some people graduation marks the end of a learning phase, for me, it signaled the beginning of a journey to try new things and explore the world. I served as a volunteer coordinator with the American Red Cross for about 2 years, and then I moved to South Korea to teach English in some private schools. Although I dont have a degree in education, both my role at the Red Cross and my positions in Korea have focused on education, training and instruction. And even beyond these experiences, Ive always had a love of teaching and sharing my experiences and knowledge with others.

From 2011 to 2017 I taught English to non-native students aged 2-14 in a private language school, while I tutored older students and adults outside of school. Because of this experience and my formal college education, I feel very comfortable teaching a range of English-related subjects. I especially enjoy ESL/EFL work, but I feel confident focusing on reading, writing, comprehension or any other areas that a student may have trouble with. When I work with students, I hope to create a learning environment in which the student feels comfortable trying new things and making mistakes, all in order to improve their basic abilities and feel more confident in the work theyre doing. Since Ive been living in South Korea, I have not only taught English but also learned Korean. These two languages are very different in a number of ways, and this process has given me new insights into the world around me, and it has provided me with a better understanding of my native language as well. After having struggled with many nuances of Korean, I have a better appreciation of subtle nuances in English that can help anyone become a better speaker, writer or listener. As a language learner myself, I can understand how difficult language can be. For a native speaker and a non-native speaker there can be a host of problems that stem from exposure, knowledge base and experience, and I love helping others try to address and resolve their language-related issues.
I've spent a lot of time focusing on ESL education, but during college and before moving to South Korea, I often edited or proofed other people's essays and papers. I believe that if you have an English-related issue, I can probably help you out!