About
Language Elevator
Our aim is to help raise the language skills of people living in New Zealand. Currently we offer ESL lessons in English (for speakers of other languages).
​
" Our English lessons are for speakers of other languages who are living temporarily or permanently in NZ and need to improve their English skills in order to study, work, gain permanent residency or just enhance their confidence when speaking English. ​​"
​
Face to face lessons take place in a classroom attached to our house in Point Chevalier, Auckland. The classroom is fully equipped with desks, whiteboard, audio systems and other resources which students are welcome to borrow. The classroom is full of natural light and opens up on to a garden of trees brimming with birds. In winter it is well heated! Although most lessons are one on one, we can comfortably seat up to six students.
​
We also teach online via zoom (one on one only) and can also run courses for employees at a company's premises depending on location.
About The Teacher,
Brett Somerville
I am a native, English speaking Kiwi with a CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) a Certificate in Language Learning, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration. I grew up in NZ and have done all my study in Wellington and Auckland, but have also lived and worked in England, France and India. I have been teaching English as a second language for the last 7 years.
For three years I taught full-time at Dominion English School, a category 1 school in Queen Street Auckland. While there, I taught classes for General English and IELTS preparation and one to one for Business English.
" I was lucky enough to teach over 400 students from 25 different countries with an age range from 12 to 70 years old! "
​
For the last four years I have been teaching privately for Language Elevator. I have enjoyed teaching more than 90 students from Korea, France, China, India, Japan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Fiji, Mexico, Vietnam, Russia, Spain, Philippines and Argentina, both face to face and online.
Before becoming an English teacher, I lived in England for 3 years and worked in Finance and Accounting. I also lived and worked in India for 2.5 years as a Tour Leader and in France for 1.5 years. I’ve also spent an additional 2 years travelling and learning about the history and culture of many Asian, European, and North African countries. In New Zealand I worked in many fields including business and finance, Government policy and regulation, marketing, and hospitality, including running my own multi-cultural restaurant for 4 years!
All my previous experience has helped me to become a better English teacher and allows me to personalise my lessons and courses to match students’ cultures, work, and social situations. I love meeting new students and learning about their lives, cultures and aspirations and helping them to become more proficient, confident, and productive English speakers and/or writers.
As well as teaching English I enjoy outdoor activities, especially hiking in the mountains and kayaking in the ocean. I studied French language for many years, and with a French partner and bilingual children, I am still learning! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about my lessons and courses, and I will happily provide you with answers and explanations!
