Paula Gardner

Thriving as an English and EFL Teacher across a 25 year career, my success is a direct result of being able to forge real connections with my students and inspire their learning journey through delivering dynamic, engaging lessons. Working with a range of proficiencies from non-speaker to advanced, I tailor my approaches to individual learning styles and utilise a range of materials to boost learning retention. Experienced in delivering a range of English qualification standards including English SATs Intervention, Cambridge FCE/PET/KET, IELTS, ESOL, GCSE and A Level, I am engaged with the latest teaching methodologies and ensure that my lesson delivery has real-life contexts to optimise learning impacts.

With excellent interpersonal skills, I collaborate with fellow professionals to develop robust learning models to deliver top-class English and EFL learning.

Learner Mentor / GCSE English Teacher - Various temporary cover work in education - London

(2024-10)

Including: Learner Mentor - Southwark College; GCSE English Teacher - South Bank University Sixth Form, Brixton.

Year 5/6 Intervention Teacher - English - Ark Globe Academy Primary School - London

(2024-03 - 2024-07)

• Delivered intervention lessons with small groups and 1:1
• Identified gaps in learning, improved exam techniques and raised performance in SATs English tests
• Delivered 1:2:1 interventions to promote rapid progress

GCSE English Language and Literature Tutor - Various temporary cover work in education - London

(2023-10 - 2024-02)

Including GCSE English Language and Literature tutoring

London Tour Guide - SCL International College - London

(2023-07 - 2023-08)

• Lead international teenagers on group tours of historic and cultural landmarks in London
• Demonstrated ability to manage groups and adapt content and presentation style to groups with varying ages, interests and levels of English

Year 6 / SATS Intervention Tutor – English - Montem Primary School - London

(2017-03 - 2023-06)

• Coordinated intervention groups focusing on English to achieve academic level lift in the run-up to SATS exams
• Identified individual student needs through learning analysis to tailor programme to achieve goals
• Shaped interventional programmes to facilitate all children to reach their potential
• Delivered 1:2:1 interventions to promote rapid progress

EAP – Intensive Summer Programme - University of the Arts - London

(2017-07 - 2019-09)

• Delivered English within the 10-week summer intensive programme
• Accountable for University level English to develop student competency for BA/MA degree study

English & History Teacher - Ecole Francaise de Londres Jacques Prevert - London

(2015-04 - 2016-12)

• Delivered English and History lessons to students aged 4–11 within an independent French Primary School
• Tailored lesson plans, materials and delivery to ability and age group to maximise student talent
• Supported students with learning difficulties and learning barriers to engage with learning activities
• Participated in extra-curricular activities and inspired English and History learning outside of the classroom

EFL Teacher - The Language Gallery - London

(2013-07 - 2015-04)

• Planned and prepared dynamic lessons tailored to student ability and age group
• Focused on building phonetics, language sounds and grammar to enhance learning
• Taught IELTS from Intermediate to Advanced Levels
• Developed and taught English for Media Studies

Language Teacher - Regent London School of English & Executive Centre - London

(2000-07 - 2013-07)

• Delivered engaging, innovative and dynamic general English lessons to children and adults
• Key Cambridge Teacher (FCE, CAE, Proficiency) delivering excellent examination results
• Embedded English cultural learning alongside language learning for a fully immersive experience
• Coached written and oral presentation skills, interview skills and business sector language development

English Teacher - The Language Centre | UAL - London

(2009-07 - 2011-04)

• Developed specialist English courses for students within the Creative Arts sector to Adult and Junior learners
• Specialised English language learning, terms, grammar and sector-specific terms to add Art context to learning
• Maximised engagement in learning through directly relating learning activities to real-life Creative Art scenarios
• Monitored student progression through detailed record keeping, coursework, testing and examinations

English Teacher | EFL Teacher - The College of North West London - London

(1998-04 - 2005-07)

• Prepared Adult and FE students to undertake and achieve the Cambridge KET/PET/FCE/CAE & ESOL qualifications
• Engaged with learners from beginner to advanced level; assessed student knowledge and developed skills
• Focused on real-life contexts for learners to achieve goals set in Individualised Learning Plans (ILP's)

English Teacher - West Hampstead School of English - London

(1999-01 - 2000-07)

• Specialised in English Language courses for Adults learning from beginner through to advanced specialisms
• Planned lesson structures for group sessions and one-to-one learning; adjusted deliver to meet learning styles
• Prepared engaging, dynamic materials and resources; managed student progression and met quality assurance standards

English Teacher | EFL Teacher - St Giles School of English (Highgate) - London

(1997-06 - 1998-12)

• Delivered English Language and EFL lessons to small groups of Adult and Junior learners at a range of proficiencies
• Tailored learning to maximise engagement and inspire progression; set goals, tests and exams to challenge students
• Led extra-curricular regular cultural excursions to notable places of interest including Oxford, Cambridge and Bath

English Teacher | EFL Teacher - The South Chelsea School of English - London

(1994-01 - 1996-06)

• Specialised in building basic to proficient language abilities to Adult Learners within small group structures
• Prepared students for Cambridge Language Examinations; monitored practice and tailored learning to real-life contexts
• Built confidence in language abilities to maximise functionality within real-life settings

English Teacher - Northampton School for Boys - London

(1990-09 - 1991-07)

• Taught A Level and GCSE English Language and English Literature courses to OFQUAL standards
• Managed classroom behaviour and varied learning styles to maximise engagement to class groups
• Prepared materials, set coursework, provided feedback and monitored student progression

English Teacher - Grafton Tuition Centre Summer School - Dublin

(1996 - 1996)

Administrative Assistant - Westminster Social Services - London

(1993-01 - 1994-12)

Operational and Theatre Assistant - The Stephen Joseph Theatre - London

(1991-01 - 1993-12)

English Teacher - OISE Summer School Stamford - Stamford

(1991 - 1991)

English Teacher - Nord Anglia Summer School Oxford - Oxford

(1990 - 1990)

Nanny | Governess - The Marquis & Marchioness of Caicedo - London

(1987 - 1987)

Teaching Assistant - Eastfield Primary School - London

(1987 - 1987)

RSA Certificate - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) - International House, London (1996 - 1996)

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (1991 - 1991)

BA (Hons) - English Literature & Theatre Studies - Leicester University (1990 - 1990)

A Levels - English Literature, French & Spanish - Scarborough Sixth Form College (1987 - 1987)

Certificate - Child Development & Childcare - Hunmanby Hall School for Girls (1985 - 1985)

O Levels - 8 O Levels including English and Mathematics - Hunmanby Hall School for Girls (1985 - 1985)