Currently retired from teaching English in formal classes, I am based in Tucson, Arizona, where covid and the quarantine have motivated me to focus more on writing. Previously, I had been teaching English privately in Ecuador, where most of my work was with General English, Business English and Aviation English. In addition to teaching and writing, I am also certified as an English examiner and provide exam preparation privately for the PET, FCE and CAE levels (B1-C1) of the Cambridge English Examinations. Improving to B2, but especially on to C1 or C2, requires more than just additional lessons. What is needed at these levels is an ability to actually use English more effectively. For this purpose several years ago I developed "Capstone English," a final course for the unique needs of strong intermediate and advanced students. This course is taught in small groups when offered, and is only appropriate for those who already possess a good grasp of basic English grammar and its vocabulary.
