Amber is one of our E2School teachers and Head of SpeakingLab and Grammar Review. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Linguistics and French) and a Master of TESOL.

Tell us about yourself?
I was born in the UK and grew up in Oxford, a city known for its love of learning and teaching! Since then, I have lived in various parts of England and Australia, and I now work from Tasmania, a heart-shaped island at the edge of the world.

What brought you into teaching?
I’ve always loved languages, and I wanted to work in a caring profession, so teaching was a perfect fit. I completed my CELTA back in 2012, and since then, I’ve taught both adults and children in a range of contexts and countries, prior to joining E2 in 2019.

So, what languages do you know?
The very first language I learnt was Egyptian hieroglyphs, which I started learning as a kid after watching (and becoming obsessed with) ‘The Mummy’! I later went on to study Middle Egyptian, as well as linguistics, applied linguistics and TESOL as part of my university studies. I’m also a long-time learner of French, and I’ve recently started learning Polish.

What is your passion in life?
Well, my passion IS language, so I feel extremely lucky to be able to work with it and share knowledge about it on a daily basis. I’m particularly passionate about the link between accent and identity, the preservation of endangered languages, and learning unusual English words! I also really love phonemes (I’m not kidding, I write my diary using the phonetic alphabet), and teaching phonics and grammar. Outside of work, I love beachcombing, reading and gardening.

What is your top tip for success?
Actually, I have two top tips! First, as the saying goes, ‘the best way to learn is to teach’. Wherever possible, try to teach any new vocabulary or rules you learn to your friends and family. Research has shown that this leads to deeper understanding and improved memory, as the process of teaching requires you to not only understand what you’ve learnt but also to recall, organise and apply this knowledge. Secondly, your relationship with English will be a lifelong one, so it’s important to find things you love doing in English. This may be listening to music, watching movies, reading books or cooking from English language recipes. Finding your passion in English will help you continue your language journey, long after you have achieved the test scores you need!

What do you do at E2, and where can we find you?
I’m involved in developing live class lessons and course materials and can be found teaching the SpeakingLab and Level 2 live classes on E2School. I’m occasionally joined by my (feline) teaching assistant, Pom Pom!

What do you like doing in your spare time? Any hobbies?
Baking, gardening, and watching whatever TV series I’m currently hooked on.

What do you do first thing every morning?
Make a cup of tea. My dream purchase is to buy a Teasmade one day, which is an alarm clock that makes a cup of tea for you while you sleep

What country is on your bucket list to travel to?
Antarctica.

What would you like remembered about you?
As someone who was kind. And as a teacher who (hopefully) inspired a love of learning in their students!

Who is your number one inspiration?
My students are my biggest inspiration. It takes so much time, effort and practice to learn another language, and I am constantly blown away by their hard work, their determination, and their passion to achieve their goals.

What is your spirit animal?
Definitely a cat!

If you could have dinner with one famous person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Mari Andrew.

How do you take your coffee?
Instant and decaf (sorry coffee aficionados!)

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tomatoes.

What’s your favourite movie?
Either ‘The Mummy’ or ‘Amélie’.

What would be your superpower?
The ability to talk to animals.

What would be the theme song for your life?
The Carnival of the Animals (Le Carnaval des Animaux) – by Camille Saint-Säens

What do you love most about being at E2Language?
The ability to connect with and meet students from all around the world!