Holly Johnson

For years, I've had a passion for teaching myself whatever happens to interest me. Over the years, I've refined my own learning methods, based on scientific data, especially in language acquisition. At 15, I began teaching myself Italian. This led me to living in Italy, and becoming quite fluent. More recently, I’ve started learning French, a language that I have come to adore.

Happily, and quite unexpectedly, my ability to teach myself has translated to an ability to teach others. While working as an au pair in Italy, I gave english lessons to the children every morning. Watching them progress so quickly was truly rewarding, and it confirmed for me that teaching English is something I want to continue doing.

I believe that learning is far more effective when it’s enjoyable rather than a chore. That’s why I tailor my lessons to each student’s interests, creativity, and self-expression. For example: What’s your favorite book in your native language? Let’s study it in English! Reading and writing stories in the target language can be fun, deeply engaging, and a powerful way to build fluency. After all, it’s how most of us learned our first language - through bedtime stories, songs, and play.

This method has not only accelerated the English learning of the children I’ve tutored, but also helped me make faster progress in my own language learning.

Broadly, I want to teach because I am so passionate about academics. From a sheer love of studying, I archived straight As in my A-Levels (or the Australian equivalent, as that is where I grew up). Since leaving school I have taken up part time online courses in other subjects that interest me, including philosophy and history at the University of Oxford.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you reach your goals!