I have two years experience teaching in Korea, minored in education in college, have taught business English, have had several jobs in the childcare and teaching fields, and have a 100 hour TEFL certificate. 

Currently teaching Business English with Global Language Training

BA, University of South Carolina (History/Education)

Hello, my name is Patrick Dunn. I am American from Philadelphia who has two years teaching experience working at an English academy in Dongtan, South Korea. I have taught learners of all abilities and know how to adjust lessons in order to bring out the best of each of my students. I really enjoy living and working abroad as a teacher and I think I would make a great fit for your organization.

Learning a second language is critical skill in today’s global world. Universities, corporations, and private enterprises are all looking for people who are bilingual or have experience living, working or studying abroad. English is the global language and international companies need to have employees who can speak it in order to increase global revenue and stay competitive. Universities also put heavy emphasis on their international programs which bring new ideas and interesting people into new environments. In all of these examples, a strong English language education is at the base of it all. As long as students have exposure to English as a second language, they can start off small and have unlimited growth potential; which can lead to one of a kind educational or job opportunities down the road.

Learners usually have their first exposure to a second language in primary school. Many governments are requiring public schools to offer mandatory English classes for their nations’ youth. I think this is a great idea, and if students put in the time and effort, could lead to a new generation of bi-lingual students.  In order to make this a reality, I believe teachers need to get students excited to learn English, thus holding their attention and getting maximum creativity and participation from their students.

My teaching philosophy focuses around building student confidence using a variety of methods.  No matter what level they are at, students need to feel comfortable speaking English and be unafraid to make mistakes. There are a few teaching methods which I believe increase confidence in my students; individual attention, group work, brainstorming, and writing prompts. Each class is different, and I always make sure that students get individual attention and guidance specific to their needs.

For example, I would have a class brainstorm pros and cons of various modes of transportation in preparation for an essay and oral speech which would follow.  Some students would begin immediately with no problems, but others would need some help getting started. I would walk around the classroom, individually ask students the kinds of transportation they can think of, and then tell them to write it down list-style with pros and cons underneath each mode. By helping them set up their brainstorm, they feel much more confident and can come up with ideas much more easily.  We would then share ideas as a class and then students would write down a speech using the brainstorming ideas as to what they believe the most efficient mode of transportation would be. With this exercise, students are exposed numerous learning methods including individual brainstorming, one-on-one time with the teacher, group discussion, writing, and individual speaking. All of this can be achieved when you are aware of the diverse needs in the classroom and allow students to work at a comfortable pace.

I believe I make a great teacher because I have the patience to deal with any problems I might encounter; the confidence and organization to plan and deliver lessons, the adaptability to tailor classes, and the supportive nature to encourage students. I am very comfortable with Korean culture and am very impressed with the quality of students learning English in Korea. The previous two years have been a wonderful experience for me and I would love to have the opportunity to return and continue to teach.

Thank you for your consideration,

Patrick Dunn