Tutor back teaching the language he loves

Teaching adults Italian is like having a ‘bunch of model pupils’, according to schoolteacher David Khachikian! It’s just one of the things he’s learned since becoming an Italian tutor at CasaLingua.

David has spent the past decade teaching Italian and French at a secondary school in Gateshead. But then French and Italian lessons were phased out. So, being adaptable, David took a conversion course and now teaches maths.

So, when the call came from our founder, Kim, to ask if he’d like to teach adults, he jumped at the chance! 

David’s Italian lessons take place at CasaLingua Language School in Consett as well as online.

David Q&A

How were you invited to teach at CasaLingua?

Kim used to work at Heworth Grange, and I applied for the job to be her maternity cover, so I know her well. She contacted me on the day of the Carabao Cup final – so that sticks in my mind – to ask if I’d like to teach some of her learners Italian. I was excited about that.

What did you think when she called?

It was good for me! It means I’m keeping my languages going because I don't do any in my normal day-to-day teaching. So, it’s really good! And I'm helping Kim as she’s taking on more clients, more customers. It is great as it’s keeping me in my languages. So, it’s win-win really.

CasaLingua is growing. Is it good to be part of that?

Oh, it's great. There always seems to be something exciting happening or a new language being introduced. It’s lovely to see it growing and here's to many more years of it.

Tell us more about your background.

I started learning languages at secondary school, of course, with French in Year 7.  I went to St Cuthbert’s in Newcastle and when we got to Year 9, we got the option of picking a second language if you were in one of like the higher sets, which I was. It was either Italian or German were the options. It was basically a question of which teacher you liked the most, so I picked Italian.

Once I got through GCSE and A-levels, I went to Durham University to study languages. I thought you could carry on with Italian if you were not a beginner, but it was only available for complete beginners or go in with the second-year students. So, I deferred for a year and then picked it up later. It was called a Combined Honours in Arts, so I did a bit of French and Italian along with other things from the arts faculty, such as linguistics.

And then did you teach after gaining your degree?

Yes! I went back to St Cuthbert’s five years after leaving as a student! I was working alongside a lot of my old teachers, which was a bit weird at first, but, you know, I got my head around it quickly enough. So that was where I started teaching. I graduated in 2007 and I got my PGCE in Carlisle. I then started teaching in 2008.

Have you had any issue switching to teaching adults?

The principles are the same teaching anyone. It's like when I've taught A-level before, the older children like things like stickers at just as much as the young ones!

I think teaching adults can be an extension of that as well. They know that their role is the learner and I'm the teacher, but it’s not as strict or as formal as I'm making it sound. They're like a bunch of model pupils, really. They try hard and they give it their all. They're not afraid to make mistakes. That does happen more when you get older. My groups are a good bunch of lovely people. I'm lucky with the classes I've got!

And what about away from work? What are your hobbies?

I’ve got three children, so if being a taxi service counts, that is my hobby! They all have lots going on so I don’t have time to do much else. I’m a big fan of Pokémon and things like Red Dwarf and a bit of sci-fi. It’s a bit geeky, but I love it.