Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic

Akasha Perera Bambarandage Don

Leeds,West Yorkshire

Summary

Dynamic educator with expertise in multilingual communication and differentiated teaching, adept at utilising multimedia educational tools and language immersion methods to enhance student engagement. Proven ability to design assessments and implement cooperative learning techniques, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Committed to leveraging organisational skills and teamwork to drive educational success and innovation.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Language Volunteer

York St. John University
10.2023 - 07.2025
  • Focus on using translanguaging techniques in the classroom to support students in improving their mother languages.
  • The classes, which are primarily aimed at migrant families in the area, provide an inclusive environment for students to practice Italian.
  • Through translanguaging, I help learners connect their linguistic knowledge across languages, enhancing their confidence and communication skills.
  • I work collaboratively with other instructors to create a welcoming space that promotes language development and cultural exchange.

Private tutor

05.2022 - 07.2025
  • As a private language tutor, I specialize in providing tailored language instruction to children aged 8 to 16.
  • With expertise in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, I create engaging and interactive lessons that cater to each student's individual learning style and proficiency level.
  • By employing a variety of teaching methods, including games, activities, and multimedia resources, I foster a supportive learning environment where students feel motivated to develop their language skills with confidence.
  • My approach emphasizes both oral and written communication, vocabulary acquisition, grammar comprehension, and cultural understanding, ensuring comprehensive language acquisition.
  • Through personalized attention and encouragement, I empower my students to excel in their language studies and achieve their academic and personal language learning goals.

MFL secondary teacher trainee

Bradford Grammar School
01.2025 - 07.2025
  • Implemented effective teaching strategies and managed classroom behaviour to support diverse learners.
  • Designed and conducted periodic assessments to monitor student progress providing timely feedback for improvement.
  • Served as form tutor to 20 students, taking morning register, delivering notices and building trusted rapport with students.
  • Used varied resources and technologies to maximise student engagement and understanding.
  • Implemented behaviour management strategies for optimised learning environment.
  • Collaborated with experienced colleagues, reflect on feedback, and continuously develop my pedagogical skills to enhance student engagement and language acquisition.
  • Led parent-teacher conferences successfully; communicated student progress and areas of improvement tactfully.
  • Participated in ongoing training programmes to stay abreast of new developments in secondary education.
  • Took part in extracurricular activities, promoting a balanced approach towards education.

MFL secondary teacher trainee

Ripon Grammar School
09.2024 - 01.2025
  • As a trainee teacher of French and Spanish, I was responsible for delivering high-quality language lessons, focusing on developing students' speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
  • I created and implemented engaging lesson plans, using a variety of teaching methods to cater to the diverse needs of learners.
  • My role included providing regular formative assessments and feedback, fostering an interactive learning environment, and adapting lessons to ensure all students make progress.
  • I collaborated with experienced staff, engaged in reflective practice, and continuously enhanced my teaching skills to ensure a supportive and effective classroom environment.
  • Tailored instruction to meet individual student needs, resulting in enhanced learning outcomes.
  • Fostered positive learning environment with clear classroom management skills.
  • Adapted lessons to diverse learner abilities, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity in education.
  • Participated in staff meetings and professional development sessions actively, enhancing teaching practices.
  • Challenged students by assigning level-appropriate tasks and homework.
  • Planned inspiring extracurricular activities for well-rounded student socialisation and development.

English Teaching assistant in France

British Council
10.2021 - 05.2022
  • My role as an English teaching assistant consisted in improving my students’ linguistic abilities and raising their cultural awareness.
  • I was responsible for preparing and carrying out my own lessons and I also helped students prepare for oral examinations and practice their speaking skills, especially pronunciation and intonation.
  • Ensured safe and inclusive classroom environment adhering strictly to school policies.
  • Conducted interactive storytelling sessions that enriched imagination and creativity amongst pupils.
  • Utilised modern technology tools during lessons to enhance the learning experience.
  • Cultivated a passion for the English language through diverse teaching methods.
  • Being a teaching assistant not only helped me improve my own skills in the French language, but also gave me the ability to easily adapt to different cultures and work and communicate with people from different backgrounds.

Server

Eastern Court Restaurant
Castleford
08.2018 - 09.2019
  • Worked efficiently under pressure during peak hours for seamless operations.
  • This job permitted me to achieve great multitasking skills and the ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment as I performed various front-of-the-house duties and collected bills.

Cashier

Domino’s Pizza
Pontefract
02.2017 - 08.2018
  • Trained new cashiers on store policies and procedures to maintain standards.
  • The skills I learned through this job include good attention to detail, excellent verbal communication and customer service skills, ability to problem solve and finally patience and ability to remain calm in a fast working environment.

Education

PGCE - Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

York St. Johns University
York
09.2024 - 07.2025

BA Hons - French and Spanish

The University of Manchester
Manchester
09.2019 - 06.2023

A level - French, Spanish and Sociology

New College Pontefract
Pontefract, Wakefield
09.2017 - 06.2019

GCSEs - Modern Foreign Languages

Liceo Don Giuseppe Fogazzaro
Italy
09.2013 - 12.2016

Skills

  • Communication Skills
  • Organizational Skills
  • Educational software usage
  • Multilingual communication
  • Assessment designing
  • Student engagement tactics
  • Differentiated teaching
  • Behaviour Management strategies
  • Creativity
  • Language immersion methods
  • Cooperative learning techniques

Languages

French
Fluent
Spanish
Fluent
Italian
Native
English
Native
Sinhala
Native

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

MFL secondary teacher trainee

Bradford Grammar School
01.2025 - 07.2025

PGCE - Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

York St. Johns University
09.2024 - 07.2025

MFL secondary teacher trainee

Ripon Grammar School
09.2024 - 01.2025

Language Volunteer

York St. John University
10.2023 - 07.2025

Private tutor

05.2022 - 07.2025

English Teaching assistant in France

British Council
10.2021 - 05.2022

BA Hons - French and Spanish

The University of Manchester
09.2019 - 06.2023

Server

Eastern Court Restaurant
08.2018 - 09.2019

A level - French, Spanish and Sociology

New College Pontefract
09.2017 - 06.2019

Cashier

Domino’s Pizza
02.2017 - 08.2018

GCSEs - Modern Foreign Languages

Liceo Don Giuseppe Fogazzaro
09.2013 - 12.2016
Akasha Perera Bambarandage Don