Meet Nick: Teacher profile of the month

We go behind the scenes with Nick, our dynamic member of The Language Academy teaching team.

Read his interview below to find out his biggest teaching challenge, his teaching motto and hidden talent.

Name: Nicholas (Nick)
From: Brisbane, Australia
Currently teaching: English

 

➱ LIFE AS A LANGUAGE TEACHER

🅠 Who or what inspired you to start teaching?

Ⓐ “I think I always wanted to do it, from when I was young. I learned German in high school, and my parents are Russian. At home Russian is still spoken as a first language. All my siblings speak it, naturally. I love different cultures, different nationalities and customs. Languages open new doors.”

 

🅠 What prompted you to move to the Gold Coast?

Ⓐ “It was a lifestyle thing. We live on 12 acres in Currumbin Valley. We were living in Brisbane, and when we moved to the Coast, I travelled 100 kilometres to work every day for 9 years; from the Valley to Southbank in Brisbane. So yes, definitely a lifestyle change [laughing].”

 

🅠 Have you studied anything other than linguistics?

Ⓐ “Yes, I studied a Business Communications degree, majoring in Marketing in Advertising.”

 

🅠 What do you like most about teaching?

Ⓐ “I really enjoy imparting the language skills, and then seeing the lights go on for them. Seeing the happy expressions on the students’ faces when they understand a new concept. And they go ‘OHH, now I get it!’ and I think, ‘yes, I got through’. That for me now is what I look for. In my youth it was like chasing the corporate ladder, but now it’s about making other people happy.”

 

🅠 What do you find is the most challenging thing about teaching?

Ⓐ “Sometimes when you get personality traits that are averse to opening up. That, and cultural differences, and trying to make them fuse together.”

 

🅠 What is your teaching motto?

Ⓐ “Knowledge is power.”

 

🅠 Describe a successful lesson. Tell us why it would be successful.

Ⓐ “These particular students I taught had been learning English for a decade prior to studying at The Language Academy. Their grammar was amazing, but it was their confidence that needed work. Instead of staying in the classroom, I would pre-teach certain terminology and vocabulary – and then we would conduct the English class out in public.

We spent a whole hour on supermarket vocabulary, then we went to Woolworth’s and they had to buy what they needed, all in English. I was there just as a backup. By the end of their time here, they had a massive confidence boost. One student really came out of his shell, and it was thanks to that real-life practice. It was fantastic seeing their eyes light up when they thought ‘Oh my goodness, I can do this’.”

 

🅠 What is the next language that you want to learn, and why?

Ⓐ “I actually want to learn Spanish, or anything with a European base because it’s got Latin roots. To me it’s like Pandora’s Box waiting to open.”

 

➱ UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

🅠 Where have you travelled?

Ⓐ “France, Italy, Greece, Russia (several times), Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Austria, Japan, Singapore – I love Singapore. All through Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia and Caledonia, NZ, Fiji.

I haven’t been to the States. I think because it’s too similar in culture, and for me, naturally I’m driven closer to cultures that are different to English. I love the difference of Europe.”

 

🅠 Do you have any hidden talents?

Ⓐ “I can Cossack Dance! [laughing].”

 

🅠 What is your favourite food?

Ⓐ “Well I grew up with Russian food, I love Thai cuisine, and anything European. Do I have to pick one? I’m going to say Vietnamese.

Oh! One of my hidden talents could also be that I make the best Russian dumplings called Pelmeni (a meat filled dumpling) and the best Russian tort, called a Medovik, (a layered honey cake).”

 

🅠 How would you describe yourself in three words?

Ⓐ “Energetic, passionate, empathetic.”

 

🅠 If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?

Ⓐ “When I was young I was so into athletics, so I would be a cheetah because they can run like the wind. I ran the Gold Coast marathon 2 years ago, 42.5 kilometres, for a dare. I think now, ‘oh my goodness, why did I do that [laughing].”

 

🅠 Describe your perfect day. What would it look like?

Ⓐ “I had the most perfect day on the European cruise I recently went on. I was on the sundeck on top of the boat, travelling through the Rhine Valley and listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s song, ‘Lorelei’. If I could transport myself back there… looking at those medieval towns.

My perfect day would be in some foreign place speaking a foreign language.”

 

➱ LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

🅠 What is one thing you want your students to remember about you?

Ⓐ “That I really want them to be the best that they can be. I see all the positives in each and every one of those students. So, if I can unlock that, then I’ve done something good.”

 

If you want to learn English (or want to request that Russian be added to our list of languages!) call us on (07) 5578 6838.

Get in quick – spaces are limited as we ensure small class sizes for the best learning outcomes!