Instructors

Felix

Native language:: English

Total orders:: 156

Nationality:: United States

Residence:: United States

Skills

American English

Certifications: Education: Masters Degree in English, Emphasis in Writing -- San Francisco State University, California USA Bachelors Degree in Sociology -- California State University at Fullerton, California USA Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate International TEFL and TESOL Training, London UK Experience: Writing Instructor Prepared and taught courses and seminars at various educational institutions, including the English Departments of Portland Community College and Portland State University (Portland, Oregon), Oregon Pre-Professional Writers Seminars (Lincoln City, Oregon) and the 55th World Science Fiction Convention (San Antonio, Texas) English Teacher Prepared and taught all levels of English classes at the high school level (ages 14 through 18) for Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada; school district comprised both native English speakers and a high percentag of students from outside the US, with varying levels of English ability Human Resources Communication Specialist Luxor Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada – Wrote, edited and designed all English-language employee communications for a culturally diverse and multilingual workforce, including employee newsletter, pre-shift bulletins, posters, flyers, e-mail blasts, and other collateral material; coordinated production of and edited first employee training video to be produced in-house, using property A/V department staff; received personal notice from company president, who stated: “You’ve really raised communication standards around here.” Graphic Arts Copywriter & Proofreader MGM Mirage Advertising, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada – Wrote, reviewed, corrected and revised advertisements and text pieces for all MGM MIRAGE properties; maintained adherence to standards in style, usage and grammar; coordinated adherence to approved standards (AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, Oxford English Dictionary); researched and fact-checked all materials Columnist & Feature Writer Las Vegas Life Magazine, Greenspun Media Group, Las Vegas, Nevada Wrote and edited signature byline column and feature articles for glossy general interest magazine, flagship publication of largest publisher in region; prepared first drafts, revisions and final copy text; researched and interviewed subjects for articles; extensive contact with editorial staff via phone, email and personal meetings Feature Writer Las Vegas Weekly Magazine, Greenspun Media Group, Las Vegas, Nevada Wrote and edited feature articles and short pieces for region's leading lifestyle and entertainment weekly publication; prepared first drafts, revisions and final copy text; researched and interviewed subjects for articles; extensive contact with editorial staff via phone, email and personal meetings Freelance Writer Non-fiction – Wrote, edited, copy-edited and other manuscript preparation, including graphic and layout design for a variety of print and online media; specialties include social, political and educational commentary, cultural commentary with an emphasis on current European and Asian cinema Fiction – Researched, wrote, edited and proofread over two dozen novels for major publishers, including Bantam Doubleday Dell, Simon & Schuster and St. Martin’s Press; many of the novels have been translated and published in foreign countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Japan, and others; prepared, wrote, edited and proofread media-related novels and other projects for Paramount Productions (Star Trek), LucasFilm (Star Wars) and DC Comics; researched, wrote and edited screenplays for European film production companies; wrote, edited and proof-read novels and other fiction for online ebook publication, available through Amazon.com and its international affiliates
Announcements: Sundays & Mondays, Japanese Standard Time
Hobbies/Travel: In my spare time, I study bass guitar -- though I'm terrible at it. I'm a fan of Asian cinema, particularly the classic Japanese film directors such as Akira Kurosawa as well as contemporary directors such as Takeshi “Beat” Kitano and Takashi Miike, as well as Korean directors such as Kim Ki-Duk and Park Chan-Wook. My favorite country to visit is Austria; my wife and I particularly going to the museums and opera performances in the capital city of Vienna. Outside of my native USA, I've traveled in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Message from the instructor: Because I've made my living using the English language in both the business world and as a teacher, as well as having written and published over thirty popular novels, I'm very skilled at making the distinction between formal English and the more informal or conversational English that a student might wish to use when communicating with friends. Often, the difference between conversational English and the English that would be appropriate in a business situation is not just a matter of the vocabulary that's used, but also the way that sentences are structured. Whenever possible, I like to provide these alternatives, point out the differences between them, and allow the customer to decide which one would be appropriate in a particular situation, whether it's making a business report or writing a letter to a friend. I feel that real fluency in English is achieved not when a customer has one way of expressing his or her meaning, but can "fine tune" their English by being able to speak or write in a variety of ways, depending upon the situation. Of course, in any situation it's important to be grammatically correct and to use the right words and expressions, so I also give particular attention to getting those elements as close to perfect as can be achieved.

kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this essay. I'm also learning the order of clauses in a sentence, so the correction for line 3, "After eating, my blood ran cold...," is very helpful. I would like a reader to have fun reading my writing. Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for revising this essay to be sophisticated. At times, I can sprinkle a couple of formal words over my text. I see. Writing English is one of my daily entertainments, so it's a lot of fun for me to devise an essay, choosing suitable words. Simply put, what comes around goes around! Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
machiko78

Thank you for correcting me. I'll try to choose expressive words and various writing ways.

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for revising this essay to be natural and giving me the helpful tips such as starting a sentence with "I" and using "everyone" or "you" consistently. I'm looking forward to writing a more natural sentence! Many thanks, Kaori

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this essay and suggesting many optional sentences. I didn't know that a lot of native English speakers don't know the word "propitious." I see. So I decided to give up being stubborn. First of all, I will learn as many common words and expressions as I can to make good use of them. And next, I will acquire formal words. This approach better fits me. Additionally, I don't want my friends to think I'm strange! Thank you for giving me the appropriate advice. Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this essay and giving advice on a choice of formal or conversational sentences. To be honest, I'm in two minds about it. The highest priority for me is expanding my vocabulary. So I'd like to memorize as many words and expressions as I can by using them. But I haven't had good opportunities for using new words since I quit my job last year. So I always try to use them for this English writing practice. Well, I know I'm a typical conversationalist... Many thanks, Kaori

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for revising this text to be natural. When reading your corrections and comments on them, I realized that my writing skills (and/or speaking skills as well) would be improved if I can think in English. Because you always think in English, you can write good English. But I first think in Japanese and translate it into English. This is a big challenge for me, but I will make every effort to develop. Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this essay and suggesting the alternative sentences. This was the first time that I learned the simple present tense can be more powerful than the progressive. It's important to use the tenses more tactifully, isn't it? Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
naka0930

Dear Felix, Thank you for your advice. I learned the importance of contrasting phrase and the usage of modifier. Regards, Makoto

★★★★★
sachan

Thank you very much for your advices. Especially, I think I understand how I should think about singular and plural notion. I thought "generations " are plural so I should make "burden " purlarl. But your example Joe's case is very easy to understand. See you again!

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this text promptly. I'm sorry about the fifth lengthy sentence --let me elaborate on my personal impression on ebooks. When I read ebooks, excepting dictionaries and news reports, I feel as if I were lost in a labyrinth. This is because I can't sense an actual weight or thickness of the ebooks as they're digital. I wanted to include my sensory impression in the fifth line of this essay, but it was already long enough. Many thanks as always, Kaori

★★★★★
furu

Thank you for your corrections, comments and advices. It helps me understand English writing skills(e.g. dash punctuation) as well as its way of thinking( simple and direct expressions).

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Thank you for correcting this text and giving some sound advice about vocabulary. Actually, I'm trying to expand my vocabulary as I've realized that it is the highest priority issue for me. I will add "premonition" and "nightmarish" to my vocabulary hoard. Many thanks, Kaori

★★★★★
hiro_hiro

Thank you very much!

★★★★★
kaori0323

Hi Felix, Nice to meet you! Thank you for revising this text about one of my favorite gadgets to be natural. I've found it difficult for me to explain something, so I will continue to write like this piece. I hope I will be more expressive! Many thanks, Kaori

★★★★★

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