Amber Rae Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Amber! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. May we ask you to briefly introduce yourself?: A. Hi, and thank you! My name is Amber, and I'm a South African who now lives in Saitama, Japan. I have a background in the sciences, having worked in a medical laboratory for 8 years before moving to Japan. In Japan, I taught at two senior high schools in Gunma for 2 years, and now I teach English online. My transition from the medical field to education was a big shift, but I've always been passionate about learning and helping others understand complex topics. Teaching has given me the chance to connect with students on a deeper level, and I really enjoy the personal growth it brings.
Q. Please tell us more about your hometown and the area where you currently reside.: A. I'm from Pretoria - one of South Africa's three capital cities. South Africa is a wonderfully diverse country, with 12 official languages (including sign language) and a rich mix of cultures. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I learned to appreciate different perspectives from an early age, which has greatly influenced my approach to teaching. I now live in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, in Kumagaya, which is known to be one of the hottest cities in Japan! Adjusting to life in Japan has been both a very challenging and very rewarding experience for me.
Q. What motivated you to become a tutor on Cafetalk?: A. Having taught high school students in Japan, I felt Cafetalk would be the perfect platform for me to transition to online tutoring. I'm currently studying Japanese, so this helps me understand the unique needs of Japanese students and connect with them better. I also really enjoy tutoring adults. The opportunity to help passionate individuals develop their skills and achieve their goals is something I find very rewarding. After leaving my teaching job, I wanted a position that offered flexibility so I could pursue my other passions, like writing - and Cafetalk provides just that.
Q. What are you usually up to when you're not teaching on Cafetalk? What are your hobbies and interests?: A. I love being out in nature, whether it's going on long walks, visiting parks, or simply enjoying the unique charms of each season. Another of my hobbies is playing acoustic guitar. I most enjoy learning how to play country songs and I've been really into learning Taylor Swift songs recently. I also love reading and I even started an English book club in my area. We meet once a month to discuss the books we've read, play games and talk about our lives in Japan. I'm also very interested in psychology and human behaviour, so I am always researching these topics (mostly on YouTube!).
Q. A lot of students are probably curious about the atmosphere in your lessons. What can a student imagine a lesson with you to be like? What’s your teaching style?: A. I like to combine English lessons with practical life skills such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving. For this reason, I enjoy guiding my students through interesting topics, often using discussions and debates. Storytelling is another key part of my teaching, so many of my lessons include real-world scenarios where we explore different perspectives. I adapt to my students' needs in real time, adjusting the lesson to match their level - whether they're beginners, intermediate or advanced learners.
Q. Which lessons would you recommend to your students?: A. I would love for students to check out my 'Exploring Perspectives' lesson - It's one of my favourite lessons to teach! It's interesting and engaging, and helps students build valuable skills. If you're looking for something shorter, try my popular 'Fun Icebreakers' lesson, where we can get to know each other through fun and simple questions.
Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for your current and future students?: A. To my current students, thank you for giving my lessons a chance and for showing me how valuable they are to you. I appreciate you so much, and I look forward to many more lessons together! To future students, I hope you'll give my lessons a try. Not only can I help you with learning English, but also exploring and embracing new perspectives. My goal is to make learning enjoyable and meaningful to you. I'm looking forward to meeting you!