Dear visitor,

Welcome to SoundVocab, my name is Colette and I am your Native British English Learning Mentor. 

My previous experience before qualifying as a teacher, was in the field of Care Management in supported living services. 

I successfully became a senior support worker with positive behavioral responsibilities in South Hill. Then I completed my Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, and then became a Deputy Manager at Uxbridge Road.

During this experience I wanted to know, how people end up in care. So, I began on a journey which led me into a new role as a teaching assistant in a special needs school, and I loved it! 

Going to University had always been a goal that I had always wanted to achieve, and I studied a fantastic 4 year university degree which gave me a diverse range of practical teaching experiences in different schools. (work experience listed below)

During my second year of university I was asked to apply for a Positive Behavior Manager role at Eastwood Grange. I mentored children with complex needs, supporting them to understand the importance of learning, whilst re-engaging them back into the school environment with an open-mind. 

Mentoring students was a skill I learnt to advance in. As the students flourished with my supportive counselling techniques. I was also able to understand and create critical thinking and understandings from their perspectives.

The main counselling topics that were discussed was mostly about the psychological effects of bullying and low self-esteem in many different areas of their lives. This particular school had violent outbreaks due to it being a pupil referral unit, and I became qualified in secure holds. Upon observation, I became more edified in identifying the psychological effects of the deeper destructive anger in children from all the other schools in regards to feeling vulnerable, and upset about the fear of failure. 

The students at Eastwood Grange were diagnosed with: 

Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), Attachment Disorders, Trauma, Anxiety, Bi-polar, Aspergers, Schizophrenia, Suicidal Behaviors, High functioning Autistic Spectrum disorder (ASD), Pathological demand avoidance (PDA), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and others alike.

I became more advanced in the early warning signs of 'help', which was the similar to signs that my care tenants had displayed in their lives.

Attention to detail has helped me effectively intervene quickly, re-focus and skill build my students into a positive approach towards themselves and English culture expression and  thoughts.

Teaching English online helped me use my teaching qualification to intervene inside and outside of the classroom to understand my students needs in terms of studying with self control when under pressure. I have seen moods change, behaviors calm and have observed students advancing for future tests, exams, due to me being a listening ear, and guidance help in person-centered planning for their studies.

When teaching online, I had found that many of my students have unique experiences of understanding when it comes to learning English, which adds pressure. So I decided to provide a service that merges conversation speaking practice in connection with cultural understanding and mentorship.