Susan

My lessons take on a more communicative approach, focusing on building confidence and encouraging practice through conversation as well as allowing the student to enhance all four skills not just through repetition of concepts learned and grammar studied. I find that among other things: scenarios, role-playing, small talk, cultural anthropology and more help create a richer understanding of a language. 

I consider my teaching style to be that of a coach: encouraging, guiding, and creative. As with all coaches, I am both your cheerleader and teacher. I endeavor to correct your speech closer to the end of what you're saying as opposed to interrupting - unless it is an error that needs immediate attention. Sustainability is an important aspect of my lessons, giving students the tools to have a sustained conversation using the skills they've learned with ease and fluidity.

I have been in the field of communications for 14 years, 6 years in Corporate Communication, and 8 years as an English Teacher. My background in business and travels around the world during my time in the multinational FMCG industry (as a Sustainable Development Analyst and in-house Corporate Journalist) have piqued my interest in the etymology of words in different languages. I love to share little tidbits of word origins with students and share similar-sounding words in similar linguistic branches. My time as a teacher working abroad in very different countries and cultures has highlighted how unique each learner is, and I take that into consideration in all my lessons.

Whether you are an auditory learner (who learns through mimicry and listening to my voice and pronunciation) or you are a visual learner (who responds well to diagrams, art) or you are a tactile learn (who prefers to engage, interact and create personal experiences) or perhaps you are a reader/writer - there is something for every kind of learner in my lessons.

• BA Corporate Communications from the University of Johannesburg
• (Dean's List for Academic Achievement) - Kingsway Campus, South Africa
• TEFL 150 Hours Master Certificate, Global Language Training UK - London, United Kingdom
• TESOL 150 Hours Master Certificate, Global Language Training UK - London, United Kingdom
• Skills Facilitation Certificate from Damelin - Melrose, South Africa

• Be interested in Business English.
• Gain the confidence to speak with English speakers with confidence.
• Improve your reading and writing skills.
• Learn more about the evolution of English from centuries ago to now.

• I am an avid reader, and I am currently doing a 200 book challenge on Goodreads. I'm up to book number 73 (I read non-fiction: Science, Anthropology, History, Astronomy, and fiction: Sci-Fi, Progressive Fantasy, LITRPG, Grimdark, and SFF. My favorite authors include Michio Kaku, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Neil Gaiman, Martha Wells, and Terry Pratchett, to name just a few of my incredibly, really long list)
• Travel has been a part of my life from an early age, and I do enjoy exploring different continents. I love hidden gems and prefer going “Off the beaten path." Adventure awaits.
• Baking is an artistic science and I am currently a student of this sweet form. Thankfully, my teachers are so much fun and come in the form of Baking TV Shows like the Great British Bake off and not Gordon Ramsay. My cupcakes tend to rise lopsided like the Tower of Pisa, but I am improving every week. Baby steps.
• I love long walks with Coffee-Bear – he is my Jack Russell/Border Collie/Chihuahua mix, I'm pretty sure he could run from Cape to Cairo and still look at me like we haven't gone anywhere.
• I love studying new things and expanding my knowledge. Few things bring me as much joy as cracking open a brand new textbook and going on an exploratory journey within the pages “en route” to learning a new skill.