Hi. My name is Matthew and I live in Lichfield with my wife Janette, our 3 daughters (Florence 2, Victoria 9, and Charlotte 10 years old), and our cat, Betsy. I have taught English for speakers of other languages, and associated subjects including Academic, Digital and Study skills, for over 20 years. For many years I was an IELTS examiner for the IELTS speaking and writing tests. I currently lecture part time at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Before I became a teacher, I worked for seven years in I.T. at the British Board of Film Classification in London, which has fostered an on-going interest in both computers and movies.

Our home is a four bedroom, detached house with a private garden, in a quiet, friendly street. We are close to numerous parks, shops, and recreational activities including gyms, tennis courts, and football pitches. Lichfield has two train stations which offer convenient and easy access to all cities and towns in the UK.

We understand the importance of making our guests feel comfortable and, whenever possible, involved in interesting, productive activities. I endeavour to make learning engaging, and student centred, meaning students often learn better by not just listening, but also actively communicating and doing exercise, activities, and tasks. At home, in addition to studying, we enjoy cooking, arts and crafts, and regularly play board games, cards, table football, and swing-ball. We all enjoy reading and there are always a lot of books around the house. We also like watching and playing sports, including tennis, swimming, and football. You will improve your English skills by living and learning in this immersive and authentic environment.

We enjoy going to the theatre, concerts, eating out, and hiking in the local countryside. Both our older daughters are musical and are interested in learning other languages and cultures. They are all excited to welcome you into our home.

Certificate in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – CELTA
Applied Linguistics and English Language Masters Degree (Kings College London)
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management (International House London)
Diploma – Foundations of Virtual Learning (UCLA)

Matthew lives with wife’s Janette and 3 kids.

Lichfield, birthplace of Erasmus Darwin and Samual Johnson, is a beautiful cathedral city located in Staffordshire. There are parks, the three spired medieval cathedral, 230 listed buildings, museums, and independent shops and cafes. Lichfield town centre is a 15 minute walk from our house, Birmingham is 30 minutes and London is 1 hour 25 minutes by train.

Local attractions include skiing and snowboarding at the Snow Dome in Tamworth, hiking and cycling on Cannock Chase and the Peak District, relaxing in Beacon Park, people watching and shopping in Lichfield town centre and Birmingham. Birmingham, the second biggest city in the UK, is home to major English football teams, the biggest library in Europe, The University of Birmingham (Russell Group), Aston University, and a large variety of shopping centres and restaurants. London is only 1 hour 20 minutes by train, so days out in the capital are always a possibility too.

Tamworth – Snow Dome – Skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and climbing
Ironbridge – The Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
Lichfield Boley Park – crazy golf, tennis, pitch and putt
Stratford Upon Avon – home of William Shakespeare
London – The Science and Natural History Museums and Art Galleries
Birmingham – Shopping, Aston Villa football club, Cadbury World, the Think Tank Science museum, and the Seal life Centre
Lichfield – cathedral, Boley Park, Erasmus Darwin and Samuel Johnson’s house
The Peak District (Dovedale)
Numerous National Trust sites including Shugborough Estate, and Biddulph Grange Gardens
Manchester City, Aston Villa, Manchester United stadium tour
Fradley Junction Canal

https://www.google.com/maps/place/WS14