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Bono,
Andrew

/ˈæn.druː ˈboʊ.noʊ/ proper n. · educator · TESOL

  1. 1. a teacher of English to speakers of other languages; nine years, two continents, every level.
  2. 2. a trainer of the teachers who come next. the rare double threat
  3. 3. a specialist in multilingual academic writing.

origin New Jersey. formed Bogor & Jakarta, 2016–2021. established the Jersey Shore, 2024–.

teacher (n.) guru Indonesian
Portrait of Andrew Bono
fig. 1 — the author. Toms River, NJ.
9+
years teaching
9
institutions
2
continents
3
invited lectures
§ 01 · about

Full definition.

Andrew’s classrooms have run from Bogor and Jakarta to the colleges of the Jersey Shore. IELTS candidates, exchange students, degree-seekers, career-changers — nine years of adult learners, each with a different reason to need English, all needing a teacher who meets them where they are.

He holds an MA in TESOL from Slippery Rock University, where faculty named him the department’s Outstanding Graduate Student and where he coordinated the Writing Center’s support for multilingual and graduate writers. Today he teaches ESL at Kean University, Union County College, and Brookdale Community College — and at Monmouth University he trains education majors in TESOL methods. ← teaches students and teachers

The throughline is asset-based instruction. A student’s cultural experiences aren’t obstacles to English. They’re the foundation for it.

§ 02 · what he brings

Definitions.

def. 1

ESL instruction n.

For-credit and noncredit courses across reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar — from foundations through college-level academic work, syllabus included.

see also: syllabus design · IELTS · TOEFL · placement testing

def. 2

multilingual writing support n.

Translanguaging-informed teaching and tutoring, honed coordinating a university writing center’s programs for multilingual and graduate students.

see also: translanguaging · writing centers · academic writing

def. 3

teacher training n.

TESOL methods for education majors, consultant training, and course design. He builds teachers, not just lessons.

see also: TESOL methods · mentorship · curriculum

§ 03 · teaching philosophy

Rules he teaches by.

  1. Language is social.

    Progress happens out loud. Lessons are built on communicative tasks, collaboration, and real-world English — every skill scaffolded, every activity purposeful.

  2. Risk needs a safe room.

    Learners only take language risks where they feel supported. Building that room is the first job of the teacher.

  3. Every background is an asset.

    Culturally responsive instruction connects learning to students’ lived experiences and ambitions — the languages they bring included.

  4. Assessment is a compass.

    Frequent, constructive feedback and chances to reflect guide instruction — and grow autonomous, strategic learners.

Distilled from Andrew’s full teaching-philosophy statement — available on request.

§ 04 · experience

Citations.

First attested Bogor, Indonesia, 2016; in continued use, New Jersey.

  1. 2016–17

    English Language Teacher — English First · Bogor, Indonesia first attestation

    “Taught English, IELTS, and TOEFL prep — and ran “Writers Corner,” publishing students’ work in local English publications.”

  2. 2017–18

    English Language Instructor — ELS Language Centers · Galloway, NJ

    “Taught intensive English to exchange students of many nationalities on a college campus.”

  3. 2018–19

    English Trainer / IELTS Master — Wall Street English · Jakarta, Indonesia

    “Led English and IELTS courses, ran oral placement testing, and hosted student events built on social topics.”

  4. 2019–21

    English Teacher — The British Council · Jakarta, Indonesia

    “General English and IELTS preparation for adult learners, with formal progress evaluations.”

  5. 2022–24

    Coordinator, Multilingual & Graduate Writing — Slippery Rock University Writing Center · Slippery Rock, PA

    “Coordinated the Writing Center’s programs for multilingual and graduate students — tutoring, training consultants, partnering with faculty.”

  6. 2024–

    Adjunct Professor of ESL — Kean University · Union County College · Brookdale CC · New Jersey in active use

    “Designs and teaches for-credit and noncredit ESL across reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar.”

  7. Fall 2025–

    Adjunct Professor of Education — Monmouth University · West Long Branch, NJ in active use

    “Teaches TESOL strategies to education majors — training the next generation of teachers.”

Full CV available on request.

§ 05 · credentials

Provenance.

Education
2024 MA, TESOL Slippery Rock University Certificates: TESOL · Written Literate Practices
2016 CELTA Teaching House, Philadelphia Certified English Language Teacher of Adults
2014 BA, English Monmouth University Minor in Creative Writing

Named Outstanding Graduate Student by the faculty of Languages, Literatures, Cultures & Writing, Slippery Rock University.

Invited lectures

  • 2026

    “Translanguaging Theories”

    MODL 608, Slippery Rock University

  • 2023

    “Multilingual Writing Tutoring Strategies”

    SRU Writing Center

  • 2018

    “Multiple-Intelligence Theory”

    ELS Education Services

§ 06 · correspondence

Add a word
to your faculty.

Andrew is open to full-time and adjunct appointments, curriculum work, and teacher training — in higher ed and beyond.

Email Andrew