James Penton

Home Address:

Room ***, Xiangmen Xincun, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China

Mobile No. (China): +86-180********

Email: acyhpp@r.postjobfree.com

Nationality: British

Work Experience

August 2015 – July 2017

Wycombe Abbey International School Changzhou

Mainstream English Language Teacher

Taught English language and literature to 11-16 year olds using British curriculum

Created Year 10 and 11 English Language IGCSE curriculum based on Assessment Objectives and Past Papers given by exam board

Ran Debating Society for 2 years using British Parliamentary Style

Organised 6 students to attend International Debating Championship in Hong Kong

Organised and ran the whole school choir in 2015-16 school year

Teaching rated as good in two formal observations; assigned as a buddy to an underperforming teacher; given 'Star Teacher' for outstanding performance

Provided intervention to struggling students and tutees to improve performance

Predicted 50% A*-A pass for my IGCSE English class, predicted 100% A*-C pass

Feb –July 2015

Wall Street English, Suzhou

English Teacher

Plan and deliver English language classes to adult learners 18 and above

Assess in class to determine English attainment of the students

Participated in professional development training to understand how to grow the center and attend to the needs of students, as well as how to improve class delivery

Sept 2014 –

Feb 2015

July 2013 –

Sept 2014

Suzhou Foreign Language School

Kindergarten Foreign Principal

Responsible for English curriculum at three kindergartens, managing a team of 14 foreign teachers.

Developed and delivered training to ensure high quality academic delivery

Development of Curriculum and supplementary materials

Ongoing observation and feedback processes to improve lesson delivery

Organisation and delivery of events to drive parent satisfaction, including Halloween and Christmas events

Coordination with three different schools requiring clear bilingual communication with all Chinese principals

Disney English Training Centre, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Language Learning Director

One of three principle leaders of East Region’s ‘Centre of Outstanding Overall Performance’ for FY2013

Maintained a 65% student retention rate, the highest of any centre in the country.

Contributed to 18 months of continual learner growth, increasing learner base by 21% through high learner retention and excellent delivery of demonstration classes, high quality regular classes and centre events to drive sales.

Functioned in a bilingual environment, ensuring smooth in-centre cooperation.

Qualified Disney Trainer; delivered and developed training programmes to assist development of staff, including lesson planning and classroom management.

Led a team of 19 trainers. Facilitated monthly 1-on-1s, regular observations and a culture of cooperation to raise the centre to meet Disney standards.

Developed teamwork and buy-in within the team by encouraging group resolution of problems, idea sharing in meetings, and encouraging team-building events.

Interviewed and hired 10+ staff, with a low staff turnover rate for these staff.

Facilitated a culture of guest service; consistent scores of 100% for academic team on ‘mystery shopper’ centre checks.

Oct 2011 – June 2013

Disney English Training Centre, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Senior Foreign Trainer

Creating exciting and engaging lessons for children aged 2-11, frequently rated as ‘Exceeds Standards’ in lesson delivery.

Presented demonstration classes to assist in attaining new customers

Participated in frequent and ongoing training to expand skill set

Regularly observed colleagues’ lessons, providing feedback to help them develop

Aug 2010 –

Aug 2011

Linestart Global Training Centre, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China

English Teacher at Kindergarten and Adult Training Centre

Planning engaging lessons for children aged 2-7

Regularly taught oral English to adults at a variety of levels of English ability

Oct 2009 – June 2010

Shandong Institute of Commerce and Technology, Jinan, Shandong, China

Teacher of Oral English to University Students

Planned engaging lessons for adult learners on a variety of topics

Built excellent repertoire with students to ensure relaxed but task-focused learning in every lesson

Close communication with colleagues to ensure effective lessons

Effectively used leadership to control classes

Grasped challenge of living and working in a new country with enthusiasm

Education and Qualifications

June 2012

Suzhou University

New HSK Level 5

Upper-Intermediate Chinese language ability (reading, writing, listening, speaking)

June-July 2009

ISE, Hove

CELTA (Pass Grade B)

Received two 'Above Standard' marks for teaching practice

Wrote extensive assessments of my own teaching practice, received Above Standard marks for all written coursework

As Team Leader, developed organisational, communication and presentational skills

2006-2009

University of Southampton

BSc Politics and International Relations, 2.1

Independent research project: “Will Taiwan be the flashpoint between the United States and a rising China?”

Developed time and project management skills by working to deadlines

Learned statistical analysis skills

St Paul's Catholic College, Burgess Hill

June 2006

A Levels: Psychology (A) Biology (C) Physics (C)

June 2004

GCSEs: 10 subjects grade A* to C Including English, Maths and Science

Additional Skills

Computing

Highly competent user of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel

Highly computer literate, including internet, email, maintenance etc

Driving

Clean full UK driving license held since June 2005

Interests and Achievements

Travel

Have travelled extensively through Asia, Europe and North America

In February 2010, I spent 2 weeks cycling 550 miles around South Korea

Sport

Rugby: Played for university intra-mural team in 2009

Karate: Red-belt in Karate-do Shotokai in 2008

Diving: Earned PADI Open Water Diving Certificate in 2015

Debating Society

2008/09: Elected as Secretary to the Committee of University Society

Assisted in organisation of Inter-Varsity Competition

References available upon request

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