ELICOS Teacher Profiles
Matt Spaulding
I have been teaching English for almost 10 years now. My career started off volunteer tutoring a migrant in Australia who was struggling with English. I then gained my CELTA and went abroad to teach in places such as Uzbekistan, China, Laos, and Ukraine.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. In my free time I like to attend cultural events, spend time in nature, and watch movies. I’m also a bit of a foodie and love Asian cuisine.
I am now the Academic Manager of English here at Victory, I really love my job and we look forward to guiding you through your English learning adventure here in Sydney!
Silvia Ferrufino
I currently teach Pre-Intermediate English. I have a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education and a Master of Arts in TESOL. Outside the classroom I enjoy pilates, and aerobics. I love movies: action, drama, sci-fiction, rom-coms, and thrillers. I enjoy music and going out to dinner with friends. Lastly, when it comes to food, if it’s a choice between sweet and savoury, I prefer savoury.
Tui Tuckwell
I have been teaching English for 4 years, including both college classes and private tutoring. I have a degree in finance, a CELTA, and am currently also studying physiotherapy. My passions in my free time include art and surfing.
I love students who ask questions and have fun, and feel extremely proud watching students develop both their ability and confidence when speaking English.
Cherlyn Nathungkham
I am currently teaching at the Elementary level.
I’ve been an English tutor and college teacher for almost four years. I have a bachelor’s degree in business English as well as a master’s degree in Linguistics and TESOL. Outside of the classroom, I am into outdoor activities such as exercise, traveling, taking photos and exploring new cafes.
I enjoy teaching at Victory Institute because of the variety of students, the mix of cultures, and the relaxed atmosphere. I love to share my experiences living in Sydney with students and get excited when I can help them in improving their English skills and having fun in the classroom.
Jiabei Zuo
I am currently teaching Intermediate and Upper-intermediate
English. I have a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics and Tesol
from Macquarie University. Over the course of my career, I have
had the privilege of working with a diverse range of learners, both
in group settings and one-on-one. With four years of experience as
a private tutor, I have built my skills in tailoring lessons to meet
individual needs and helping students achieve their language
goals.
Outside of the classroom, I am passionate about erhu and
mahjong. These activities not only enrich my personal life but also
contribute to my teaching approach by helping me connect with
students on a broader level.
Ciara Drumgoole
I am a qualified and experienced teacher from Dublin, Ireland. I completed a Bachelor of Education in Dublin City University and then taught in a primary school for three years before moving to Australia. I have also completed a certificate in TEFL which I put to use when I taught English in Spain for a number of summers. I currently teach Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate/ IELTS classes at Victory Institute.
Outside of teaching, I am also studying a Degree in Counselling. I love exploring all of Sydney’s beautiful coastal walks as well as playing Oztag and being a part of Irish sports teams. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone at Victory Institute!
Erika Gallifuoco
I am currently teaching upper-intermediate classes and have always loved helping others express themselves clearly!
I have a CELTA certificate, which helps me support my students as they develop their language skills. My goal is to help each student feel confident in their language skills and to enjoy learning. I believe that when lessons are enjoyable, students learn better.
Outside the classroom, I love to explore new places and try different foods. Travelling is one of my favourite things to do because I get to experience different cultures. These adventures help me bring new ideas and stories into my teaching, making my lessons more interesting and relatable.
