Christopher Bowers

How I Can Help You
I know learning English can feel overwhelming. Grammar rules, pronunciation, idioms that make no sense - I get it. That's why my approach is simple: we focus on what you actually need English for. Whether that's:

Conversational fluency for everyday life in Vienna or abroad
Professional English for your job, interviews, or emails
Exam preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge)
Business communication and presentations
Confidence building to speak without fear of mistakes

I've helped people from Cambodia to Austria improve their English, and I've learned that the best way to teach is to make it practical, relevant, and even fun.
What Makes My Teaching Different
Real-World Practice: I don't just teach from textbooks. We'll work with real situations - ordering at a restaurant, writing a work email, having a conversation about your interests. You'll learn English you can actually use.
Patient and Encouraging: I've been learning German here in Vienna, so I understand what it's like to struggle with a new language. I know it takes time, and I know mistakes are part of the process. My job is to create a space where you feel comfortable trying.
Flexible to Your Goals: Some students want to pass an exam. Others want to feel confident in meetings. Some just want to chat. Whatever your goal, we'll build lessons around it.
Cultural Insight: English isn't just vocabulary and grammar. It's also about understanding context, tone, and culture. I'll help you navigate these nuances so you sound natural, not robotic.
My Background
I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, with additional studies in Spanish and Business. I've worked with diverse international communities in the U.S., Cambodia, and Austria, which has given me experience communicating with people from all backgrounds and language levels.
I've also worked in education and training roles, including coordinating programs for 200+ participants with the U.S. Peace Corps in Cambodia. I know how to break down complex ideas and make them easy to understand.
What My Lessons Are Like
Teaching Method:
My approach is conversation-first. We start by talking about your day, your interests, current events, or topics you care about. This isn't small talk - it's how we identify what you need to work on. Do you struggle with past tense? Searching for vocabulary? Having trouble with pronunciation? I take notes during our conversations and build lessons around the patterns I notice.
I use the Communicative Approach, which means you're speaking from minute one. Grammar and vocabulary are taught in context, not in isolation. If you make a mistake, I'll note it but won't interrupt the flow. At the end, we review together so you understand what to improve without feeling self-conscious while speaking.
Lesson Structure (Typically 60 minutes):

Warm-up (10 min): Casual conversation in English to get comfortable and identify areas to focus on
Focused Practice (30 min): Work on specific skills based on your goals - this could be grammar exercises, role-playing real situations, reading comprehension, or pronunciation drills
Application (15 min): Use what we just learned in natural conversation or writing
Review & Homework (5 min): Recap key points and assign practical homework (optional, but recommended)

Content:
I customize every lesson to your needs. For conversational students, we might discuss articles, watch video clips, or role-play scenarios. For business students, we practice emails, presentations, and professional vocabulary. For exam prep, we work through practice tests and strategies.
I also incorporate real materials - news articles, podcasts, TV clips, song lyrics, work emails - so you're learning English as it's actually used, not just textbook English.
Lesson Dynamics:
My lessons are relaxed but productive. I encourage questions, I laugh at mistakes (including my own when I speak German), and I create a judgment-free space. You'll talk a lot - probably 70% of the lesson is you speaking, 30% is me guiding, explaining, or correcting.
I adjust the pace based on how you're feeling. Some days we push harder, other days we focus on building confidence. The goal is always progress, not perfection.