Federico

My deep interest in Maths and languages came from studying Maths, Physics, Italian and Spanish prior to University. This interest intensified while at the University of Genoa yielding two scholarships from the Erasmus Programme. At the time, I was most curious of Spain and chose to attend the University in Pamplona. It allowed me to immerse in the culture, engage, live and work as a local while undertaking coursework and exams.
My entire MSc from the University of Genoa was challenging but rewarding. Perseverance and an ability to respond positively to criticism were necessary because of difficult methods and personalities. It required resilience and self-management to succeed and fuelled me to adapt and adjust. Eventually, I developed new approaches to learning that I have incorporated in my future tutoring and teaching endeavours including collaboration with my peers and sometimes professors.

After obtaining my MSc, I worked as Project Manager. I learned how to manage my time effectively, deliver high quality work under pressure, communicate with demanding clients, and work well within a team of varied individuals. In a few years, I was promoted to Bid Manager. In this role, I managed several staff and communicated with junior and senior stakeholders including those in North and South America, Barcelona both in English or Spanish, and at times with some French with our clients in Paris. While in my team, my role as mentor and tutor continued as I often encountered individuals that lacked the basics to complete tasks. I patiently worked with them to identify their respective weaknesses in order to help them improve.
Throughout my study and work, my commitment to education remained strong and I took on additional challenging roles. As Instructor for Istituto Vassale while completing my MSc, I taught a small, yet difficult, class of non-traditional and low-ability 17-year-olds. This experience increased my empathy, patience and capabilities to understand different pupils with limited attention, disliked the education system and were forced to attend. I constantly adjusted and reflected on methods to give pupils the motivation to succeed.

While in full-time employment, I maintained engagement with pupils as casual Tutor for CEPU where flexibility and quick thinking was mandatory as I taught a variety of subjects including Latin, Italian, English and Mathematics. I communicated and responded positively to parents and their respective concerns; developed and improved methods regularly to present potentially abstract concepts. I gained patience to understand the targeted needs of both student and parent. As my time was split between the UK and Italy, I conducted lessons both in person or remotely using video- conferencing tools.

Tutoring Experience

I have a Master's Degree in the field of engineering and QTS in Modern Foreign Language PGCE Programme with an emphasis on Italian, Spanish and French. In my first placement at Woodlands School, I have taught mixed ability Spanish (Years 7 and 9) and French (Year 8) applying my own experiences within and outside the UK. Additionally, I have worked with Spanish Year 11s in helping them prepare for the speaking portion of the GCSE exams (i.e. role-plays). My time at the placement has been invaluable as I had to learn key skills on lesson planning, proper differentiation, behaviour management, assessment for learning strategies, taught and encouraged literacy and numeracy within my own classes and understanding my own teaching persona. My second placement commenced mid-January 2018 at The Hamble School where I am able to apply newly refined techniques in behaviour management, lesson planning, and overall language presentation. I am currently involved in teaching and supporting Spanish (Year 7 and 8), French (Year 7 and 11) and Italian (Year 10 and Year 11). I recently started leading Italian Club within the school where I would like to expand pupils’ horizons on both the language and culture of Italy. While in my second placement, I am also being exposed and using technology-enhanced learning tools for wider use within the classroom (i.e. Edmodo, Dropbox, Linguascope, and ShowMyHomework) and significantly more involved in more marking and applying assessment for learning strategies (i.e. peer instruction/assessment) as well as participating in Parents’ Evening. In addition to my regular teaching efforts, in the near future, I will be conducting a small research project within my placement as part of my course where I would like to explore effective teaching strategies to ensure inclusivity and minimize attainment gaps in learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL) based on my recent extensive literature review on the topic.

Tutoring Approach

Gathered, coordinated and presented tools and examples using a variety of resources to guide students before exams in Maths, Italian, and Spanish. Communicated and responded positively to parents and their respective concerns. Developed and improved methods regularly to present potentially abstract concepts. Required great flexibility and prompt thinking as questions vary in range and ability. Conducted lessons both in-person while in
Italy and remotely by Skype.