Nicolle C. Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Nicolle, would you like to give us a quick self-introduction?: A. Hi everyone, my name is Nicolle and I’m originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but now I live in Montreal with my husband. I love learning, and I spend a lot of time reading books, both fiction and non-fiction, and I usually go to the library once per week! Some of the reading I do is research for a speculative fiction book that I’m writing in my spare time. I love being in nature, going for hikes, or just relaxing in the park on a nice day, reading.
Q. I heard you have lived in Hokkaido, Japan. How was life there?: A. I lived in Sapporo for two years and I loved it! Sapporo reminded me of my hometown, Calgary, in many ways. Both are young cities, with many farms and mountains nearby, and both cities get a lot of snow and very cold weather. Of course it was not always easy being so far away from family and friends, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I miss Sapporo and my friends there all the time. I was lucky to be able to return to Sapporo last year in May, for my honeymoon! I took my husband to the Former Hokkaido Government Office Museum, and discovered that Hokkaido and Alberta signed a Friendship and Affiliation Proclamation together in 1980, the year I was born! A coincidence? Maybe, maybe not! ;)
Q. How do you spend your days off? Is there anything you are into right now?: A. In the spring, summer, and fall, my husband and I like to walk or bike to a big farmer’s market nearby. It’s called “Jean Talon Market” and it’s the biggest in Montreal. You can buy all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese, meat, bread, desserts, and cooking supplies. The market gets very busy, so we usually go in the morning, when it is less busy. On the way home we stop in at our favorite bakery, and buy two loaves of bread for the week. The bakery is also a cafe, so we each have an espresso, and then read or write for an hour in the cafe. When we get home, I study Japanese for at least an hour, because I’m taking the JLPT exam in December. Later, we go for a walk to our favorite park, or perhaps meet with friends at a nearby pub for a beer or glass of wine. In November, we are planning to start taking archery lessons once per week, and I’m excited about that. I think it’s important to always keep learning new things, and to challenge yourself with activities and studies that are completely new to you, in order to keep the heart, brain, and body, healthy as we age.
Q. I’m interested in your lesson, “Fun with Photos”. Please let us about the detail of the lesson.: A. The “Fun with Photos” lesson is a flexible lesson, that is easily adjusted to the student’s needs. I like this lesson because it allows me to share some of my personal adventures and experiences with my students, and I think this helps everyone to relax and enjoy my lessons. I invite my students to share their photos with me too, if they wish, because I love seeing and hearing about other people’s lives and adventures! Some students may wish to use this lesson to practice descriptions and the grammar that goes along with that, and they will describe what they see, and I can correct them as we go. Other students prefer to have a natural conversation about the pictures, with less emphasis on corrections and grammar.
Q. What are some of the main focus points of your lessons?: A. My first priority is creating a relaxing and fun atmosphere. I know that when I’m nervous, it is almost impossible to communicate well, and difficult to listen and understand! In my experience, learning to speak more fluently is all about being relaxed and engaged with the people you’re communicating with. If you take a lesson with me, I will do my best to create a warm, supportive atmosphere so that natural communication will happen, and so that you feel positive feelings when you think about communicating in English.
Q. Please leave a message to Cafetalk students!: A. It can be easy to get discouraged sometimes when you’re learning another language. Some days I’m amazed at how my listening skills in Japanese have improved, and I feel happy because I can read some kanjis that I see online or in an anime or TV show… But there are also days when I feel unmotivated, and when speaking with my teacher, I can’t seem to remember the words that I need. Please be patient with yourself, and give yourself credit for all the hard work you’re putting in to learn English. Remember that sometimes you might need to change your strategies, or the materials you’re using, in order to stay motivated!