Gary’s lessons
The goal of our English lessons will be for you to communicate confidently and naturally in real-life situations.
We will achieve this by doing practical communication activities that simulate real-life. These activities will make you more fluid speaking English at work, at home, and in the pub. Coursebooks teach simplified and artificial English, so we won’t be using them.
In our lessons, you will learn how to express yourself naturally in English. As you practise, your accuracy and grammar will also improve naturally, without the need for specific grammar study.
These lessons are for students who want to improve their English speaking and listening skills, as well as their confidence.
Gary the teacher
Let me introduce Anita. She is in her late 20s and works in a software company. She knows she is good at what she does and has ambitions. The company where she works has a lot of important foreign clients.
Conversations with these foreign clients are usually in English. Anita knows English. She even knows the difference between past simple and present perfect. Her problem is that she lacks the confidence to speak in English. Her colleagues look so comfortable with these English-speaking clients. Small talk, jokes, and most importantly solving their problems. When someone tries to communicate with her in English she freezes. Years of English lessons completely forgotten. ‘One moment, I’ll ask one of my colleagues to help you,’ is mumbled as she retreats into the background. Another opportunity to impress is lost.
Anita doesn’t need more grammar. Nor does she need more vocabulary. Nor does she need someone telling her to ‘believe in herself’.
Anita does have a few gaps in her English, but they aren’t big. What Anita needs is practical help. Someone who can instil Anita with the confidence she lacks.
I will help Anita by:
- Finding her strengths and weaknesses. A weakness in one area can affect a strength in another area leading to an overall lack of confidence.
- Convincing her to stop comparing herself with others because it is pointless. Her colleagues worked to improve their English. She has to do the same. There is no secret to it. No luck, no short cuts: hacks, voodoo, astrology, and definitely no excuses.
- Instilling a positive mindset in her. No one is born with confidence, it is acquired.
- Reminding her that she isn’t superhuman. It’s normal to have ambitions. However, having unrealistic goals leads to disappointment and lowered confidence.
- Setting realistic goals. Fluency is neither achievable nor necessary for her. Being right most of the time is what she needs and is achievable.
I have spent more than 20 years helping numerous Anitas build their confidence. This is what I do and the people I help.
Gary the human
When I am not helping Anita, I am Liverpool FC fan, lover, dog owner, master chef, wine quaffer, beer drinker, reader of literature, hedonist, capitalist, cyclist, world traveller, website creator, bon viveur, casual hero, storyteller, raconteur, funny guy, fighter of good causes, defender of beliefs, chandelier cleaner and in my spare time a philosopher. I also wrestle bears, solve puzzles, fly test planes and rescue women in distress.
In short, I am a living legend.
