Key facts
- Tutor: Kerry McEwan
- Qualification: A-grade CELTA (Canterbury), plus specialist certificates in English grammar, phonetics, Business English, one-to-one teaching and teaching young learners
- Specialism: English grammar
- Teaching background: Business English, one-to-one, mixed and monolingual classes, online and telephone teaching, all in the UK
Enthusiastic and dedicated are two words that spring to mind when describing Global English TEFL tutor Kerry McEwan. She is especially passionate about all things grammar. Here she shares her TEFL story. Also look out for the part 'cellos and rodents play in her life!
How did Kerry get into TEFL?
'I first became aware of, and interested in, the world of TEFL/TESOL when I was still at primary school when I watched my unqualified mum helping some ladies, who’d just moved to England from India, get to grips with their first English – and a very good job she did too.
As I grew up, I found that not only did I have a love for learning different languages but a keen interest in language itself, studying linguistics as the subsidiary to my Latin degree at Canterbury University.
What is Kerry's TEFL/TESOL background?
After several years of working in the commercial field before leaving to have and look after my two children, I decided that I really wanted to get back to language, particularly TESOL. So I trained initially in Canterbury, England, 12 years ago, gaining an A-grade CELTA and I have been teaching ever since. I have gained a wide range of distance learning experience through bolt-on courses, including a specialist certificate in English grammar, a specialised phonetics certificate, Business English, one to one teaching, how to teach grammar, classroom management and teaching young learners.
Some of these were through Global English TESOL courses so I know the courses and will have total empathy with my trainees! I have taught EFL in a wide variety of situations, all in the UK, including Business English, one to one, mixed and monolingual classes of both adults and young learners.
The last few years have seen me focusing on on-line teaching and telephone teaching, the hours of which combine well with bringing up my two children in Kent in the South East of England.
“We share a love of rodents, especially guinea pigs and hamsters, although in my tutor picture I am playing with a Libyan jird – yes, jird!”
- Kerry McEwan, Global English TEFL tutor
What is Kerry like outside teaching?
As a family, we also enjoy music. My son is an amazing ‘cellist and pianist and I also teach clarinet, recorder and saxophone. We share a love of rodents, especially guinea pigs and hamsters, although in my tutor picture I am playing with a Libyan jird – yes, jird!
If I am your tutor, I look forward to working with you on your TESOL course.'
How does Global English support its trainees?
The support and feedback that trainees get from their Global English tutors is one of the key features of our TESOL training courses.
To hear from Kerry, William and Louisa and meet other trainees and tutors why not join our Facebook group? It's the place to be for all things TEFL.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kerry McEwan's specialism?
Kerry is especially passionate about English grammar, and holds a specialist certificate in teaching it alongside her A-grade CELTA and further certificates in phonetics, Business English, one-to-one teaching and teaching young learners.
Do Global English TESOL courses include tutor support?
Yes – every course includes support and feedback from qualified, experienced tutors like Kerry. See the full range of TESOL training courses for details.
What is a CELTA qualification?
CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is Cambridge Assessment English's initial TEFL teaching qualification. Kerry gained an A-grade CELTA in Canterbury and has been teaching for over a decade since.