Jon Garrett Turner at the United States Embassy in the Philippines

I'm a three-time U.S. Peace Corps volunteer (Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines), formerly contracted by World Learning for the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar. I am not currently employed by or affiliated with the U.S. government or its leadership, thank goodness.

About Jon

I'm a teacher and tutor with more than five years of experience in U.S. American and U.K. English classrooms, as well as tutoring business and legal professionals. I've worked in a variety of roles across North America, Europe, and Asia, from volunteering in Mongolia and Myanmar to serving as an educational contractor for the U.S. State Department.

I am a Doctor of Law and Master of Environmental Law and Policy (Vermont Law School). I hold a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. I'm also a Cambridge CELTA-certified English teacher.

I'm a legally registered private contractor (autónomo) in Spain with full work authorization. I provide receipts (facturas) for all business clients.

Doctor of Law, Vermont Law School Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Vermont Law School Bachelor of Journalism, University of South Carolina Cambridge CELTA English-teaching certificate Washington, D.C., Bar Admission Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Mongolia and Myanmar Autónomo registered, Madrid

How I teach

Positive engagement

Students learn best when they're happy, challenged, and engaged. No one ever learns unless they want to learn. Lessons are tailored to the individuals involved: their interests, their pace, their goals.

Capacity-building

Fluency is best measured in can-do statements. Can you order off a menu? Ask for directions? Write a polite business email? We build toward concrete communicative abilities, not abstract grammar knowledge.

Learning by doing

No one ever learned to communicate from being lectured at. The best classroom might be your home desk, a local café, a grocery store, or a walk in nature. Structure, location, and context vary by design.

Immersion and repetition

One hour a week isn't enough to learn a language. I'll always deliver the best lesson I can, but real progress requires sustained engagement. I'm honest about what different levels of commitment can achieve.

Communication first

As an attorney, editor, and teacher, I know grammar inside and out. But the most important thing is being able to communicate precisely with others, avoiding vagueness and misunderstanding. Rules serve communication, not the other way around.

Tests are not teaching

I'm happy to help with exam preparation, but it's important to understand that studying for a test is a different activity than studying to communicate with other human beings. The best test prep is simply to learn the language.

Technology-forward

Apps and AI can't replace teachers, but they can definitely help. I stay current with the tools that make language learning more effective and more efficient, and I'll show you how to make them work for you.

Everything aboveboard

As a licensed attorney, I believe in maintaining the highest standard of professionalism. I am expert and certified, I pay taxes, I provide receipts, and I do things the right way. I will not piss on your head and tell you it's raining.