Resume

Name: Tom Kirkpatrick
Address: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone number: 090 386 6131
Email address: tkp@kirkdesigns.co.uk
Marital status: single
Country of citizenship: England
Native language: English

Qualifications
Teaching related
CELTA, ILA Vietnam, November 2007 (pass B)

Computer related
Master CIW Designer (Prosoft).
Certified Internet Webmaster Professional (Prosoft).
Certified Internet Webmaster Ecommerce Designer (Prosoft).

College (A levels)
Mathematics (A)
Computing (A)
Graphics (B)

Teaching Experience
I have been working in the computer industry since 2000, during which time I been heavily involved in many aspects of staff training. This is an area which seems to suit me naturally and this is why I have decided to move out of computers and into teaching. Teaching experience gained from previous jobs:

• Training employees on how to be more productive with computer systems.
• Training new employees on mission critical computer systems.
• Training new employees on computer software and programming techniques.

Having just completed the CELTA course (Pass B), I have been exposed to the world of EFL teaching for the first time. During this month long course, I taught intermediate and elementary level students, with ages ranging from 18 through 37. I have also taught the guitar tutor for several years.

Travel Experience
I am a keen traveller and explorer and have visited a large number of countries, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

Employment History
Platforms Director - SetTopSolutions
June 2006 - August 2007

Lead Web Developer - VirusBulletin Ltd
August 2004 - June 2006

Web Designer/Web Developer - WHSmith Online
March 2004 - August 2004

Graphic Designer/Web Developer - KirkDesigns
March 2003 - May 2004

Graphic Designer - Hub Marketing Services
September 2000 - March 2003

Hobbies and Interests
I am a keen musician and play the guitar and drums. I have played with many bands in my time and have been giving private guitar lessons for several years. I also enjoy travelling, learning foreign languages, reading, martial arts, computers, films and motorcycles.

References
Richard Wormell [email]
Director, Hub Marketing Services, Oxford, UK

Sue O'connor [email]
Maths teacher, Wheatley Park School, Oxford, UK

Helen Martin [email]
Editor, Virus Bulletin, Abingdon, UK

Teaching Philosophy

I have adopted what I consider to be a natural approach to teaching. I believe that the best way to learn a foreign language, and indeed other things, is to use it as much as possible. Lengthy explanations can often confuse rather than inform, and surely, the aim of teaching is to inform rather than confuse. Some of my mottos:

• A picture or mime can speak a thousand words.
• Let your students do the the work - don't do it for them.
• If you know your students, you are already two steps ahead.
• A good lesson plan will set you up for success in the classroom.
• A good classroom environment will help to promote learning.

Why I Want to Work In Vietnam

I have spent many years working with computers, and I'm good at it, but that doesn't mean that it's right for me. Once I started to get involved with IT training I realised that teaching is something that gives me great satisfaction. There is something very appealing about passing on knowledge to others, and to see them utilising this new found knowledge productively.

Vietnam is a country that I know relatively little about, but I feel drawn towards it. I feel that the best way to experience another culture it to take part in it as much as possible. It's all very well and good going to a country as a tourist, but that only gives you a limited view. I am a very open minded and curious person, and enjoy meeting new challenges and discovering new ways of life. On my first visit to an Eastern country, I was taken aback by how different things were from home. It was hard to put my finger on exactly what it was that made the Eastern way of life so so different from my own. However, whilst the culture may have been very different, the people were the same. They all wanted a roof over their head, they all wanted to eat well, and they all wanted to be successful in life. From that moment on, I knew that I was an explorer at heart. My aim is to spend time here, getting to know the people, the culture and contributing in some small way. Teaching English in a foreign country is a great way to learn the true essence of its culture and people.