Hello, I’m Brian, the teacher and course designer behind Ositos English

I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. After completing my undergraduate studies in History at the University of Manitoba, I traveled to the Dominican Republic for my first extended stay in Latin America. What began as travel quickly became something much more significant.  I worked briefly as a journalist, immersed myself in the culture, and began building the foundation for what would become a lifelong connection to the region.

I later pursued a Master’s degree at Concordia University in Montreal, specializing in Latin American history. In 1997, I spent nearly a year in Cuba researching my thesis. After completing my degree, I moved to Buenos Aires in 1998.

In Argentina, I formally began teaching English while also documenting the country’s 2001–2002 economic and political crisis. That work eventually became a two-hour documentary titled Ahora o Nunca (“Now or Never”), assembled from years of independent filming during one of the most turbulent periods in modern Argentine history. The experience deeply influenced the way I think about storytelling, pacing, atmosphere, and audience engagement; elements that continue to shape my teaching materials today.

From Argentina to Mexico, back to Cuba, and then to Miami, teaching remained a constant thread through years of movement, projects, and cultural immersion. Along the way, I became fluent in Spanish and gained invaluable experience working with learners from diverse backgrounds.

Outside of teaching, I have spent much of my life working on independent creative projects, often learning through experimentation rather than formal training. That same hands-on approach eventually shaped the interactive PowerPoint systems and storytelling structure used throughout Ositos English.

After Miami, I spent several years living and working in Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Panama, where I eventually opened and operated a small beachside grill on Isla Carenero in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

In 2017, I returned fully to teaching, this time working with children online for Chinese ESL companies. In 2021, I brought together decades of teaching, travel, and independent project work to establish Ositos English, named after my beloved dog, Bear (Oso or Osito in Spanish)

Ositos English reflects both my teaching philosophy and my life experience. It combines structured learning with creativity, cultural awareness, and real-world perspective.

Much of the presentation design has been developed gradually through years of classroom testing, experimentation, and revision. Rather than relying on static worksheets or standardized slide decks, I build lessons as carefully sequenced interactive experiences intended to maintain attention while steadily increasing student independence.

My background in history, travel, food, sports, and global events naturally informs the way I teach and design lessons. I have always been drawn toward creating things independently, whether through writing, filmmaking, teaching, cooking, or design. Over time, those interests gradually merged into the way I approach education itself.

To explore my live online classes and see a detailed breakdown of levels, teaching approach, and curriculum, visit the Online Lessons page

If you are an ESL teacher looking for ready-to-use materials, you can view the collection of lesson series and story units available for purchase on the PowerPoint Lessons For Sale page.

I look forward to working together.