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Non-native teacher Siavash Eskandarioun combines his experiences in learning English with an engaging, supportive environment. In addition to four years of experience teaching general and Business English online and in person, Siavash has also been teaching students in BridgeEnglish’s corporate language training program for five months. Using his two MBAs, a CELTA certificate, and additional specialized training, Siavash has developed teaching methods that include personalized, inquiry-based instruction that accommodates different learners and encourages autonomy. Let’s get to know Siavash.
How long have you been teaching English?
I’ve been teaching general and business English online and in person for the past four years, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been working with Bridge for the past five months. I’m looking for a chance to use my teaching experience and linguistic abilities to mentor and motivate students as they learn the English language.
Curious about the time commitment involved in learning a language? Read From Novice to Native: How Long Does it Take to Learn a Language?
What languages do you speak?
My native languages are Azeri and Persian and additionally, I have an intermediate level of proficiency in French, which enhances my understanding of language acquisition and facilitates communication with multilingual students.
How do you incorporate your culture and background into your language lessons?
Incorporating my culture and background into language lessons is a valuable aspect of my teaching approach. Coming from Iranian culture, I integrate authentic cultural materials, such as literature, music, art, and films from Iran, into the curriculum. This allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the language while also immersing themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Iran.
I also share personal anecdotes, traditions, and customs, offering a firsthand perspective and fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for the Iranian culture. By embracing cultural diversity, I strive to create a more comprehensive and engaging language learning experience for my students.
Learn about reasons English language programs and company culture should align.
What is your approach to helping students learn a new language?
My teaching style revolves around creating an engaging and supportive environment that fosters active involvement, meaningful interactions, and real-world language use. I modify my methods to accommodate different learning types, encouraging inquiry and a positive attitude, and delivering constructive feedback. Finally, I want to help students become autonomous learners and strong communicators in the target language.
What are some of your favorite teaching tools or techniques to engage students?
One of my favorite tools is screen sharing, which allows me to present interactive materials, showcase examples, and provide real-time demonstrations tailored to the student’s individual needs. I also make use of virtual whiteboards or collaborative document editors, enabling us to work together on exercises, brainstorm ideas, and visually illustrate concepts.
Personalized feedback and targeted questioning help stimulate critical thinking and active participation. Moreover, I encourage open dialogue and create a supportive environment that fosters meaningful discussions and personalized learning experiences.
How do you adapt your teaching style to meet the needs of different students?
I use a range of techniques to modify my teaching approach to accommodate the demands of various students. I start by evaluating each student’s learning preferences, advantages, and areas for development. Then, I adjust my lesson plans and activities to reflect each student’s interests and skill level. I also offer additional encouragement or challenges in accordance with their development, and I promote open dialogue to address any worries or learning challenges they might have.
What is your professional and educational background?
I am a CELTA holder from Cambridge University, which is a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages. I also have two MBAs in the fields of strategy and marketing.
The CELTA course truly broadened my teaching and linguistic perspectives, pushing me to explore new areas. Although I had limited prior teaching experience while taking part in CELTA, the training heightened my passion for teaching English, especially to international students, regardless of their first languages. This experience served as a powerful motivator for me to continue developing as an English language educator.
Bridge offers numerous professional development courses which are free for Bridge teachers. These courses are for those who want to get acquainted with the concept of modern English teaching approaches. I also completed Bridge’s Teaching Business English course, which I found quite beneficial.
What do you think sets Bridge apart from other language schools?
The meticulous planning and structured process for new teachers at Bridge were major factors that attracted me. It’s rare to find an online institute as well-organized as Bridge.
Additionally, the full support provided to teachers, along with monthly teacher observations, demonstrates a commitment to professional development and ensuring high-quality instruction. These aspects make Bridge an exceptional choice for language teaching, and I am proud to be a part of their team.
