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Hi, I'm Katie! I'm an online English teacher. I work mainly with women who use English at work or in their daily life, and want to improve their confidence and communication skills. |
Buying doughnuts in Poland
My first English-teaching job was in Poland and while I was there, I had a go at learning Polish. It’s definitely not the easiest language to learn!
One of my favourite things to eat was Polish doughnuts but to buy one, I had to go into a shop and actually talk to somebody in Polish! I was terrified the first time! What if they didn’t understand me? What if they spoke back and I didn’t understand them?
One of my students taught me what to say and eventually, I found the courage to go into the shop. There was a bit of confusion about my grammar but I got my message across, got my doughnut and survived the experience!
After a while, I gradually got more and more confident going into shops, ordering in a restaurant, buying cinema tickets and so on. I could also have a conversation with my Polish teacher or a Polish friend.
My growing confidence came from a combination of practice, having a sympathetic teacher, and a determination not to let my nerves get the better of me. I certainly wasn’t going to let my fear stop me from eating doughnuts!
One of my favourite things to eat was Polish doughnuts but to buy one, I had to go into a shop and actually talk to somebody in Polish! I was terrified the first time! What if they didn’t understand me? What if they spoke back and I didn’t understand them?
One of my students taught me what to say and eventually, I found the courage to go into the shop. There was a bit of confusion about my grammar but I got my message across, got my doughnut and survived the experience!
After a while, I gradually got more and more confident going into shops, ordering in a restaurant, buying cinema tickets and so on. I could also have a conversation with my Polish teacher or a Polish friend.
My growing confidence came from a combination of practice, having a sympathetic teacher, and a determination not to let my nerves get the better of me. I certainly wasn’t going to let my fear stop me from eating doughnuts!
Teaching one-to-one
After two and a half years in Poland, I worked in a language school in Cambridge, UK, for 18 years and then I switched to giving one-to-one lessons online.
Most of the students I’ve worked with one-to-one have been women who need to use English at work and I’ve noticed that one of the most common problems for them is not feeling as confident with the language as they would like to be.
For example, I recently worked with Cansu from Turkey. She sells jewellery internationally and needs English to talk to customers and suppliers. We had conversation lessons and I helped her with some grammar revision too.
She was very excited when she realised she was finding it easier to communicate. Her friends and colleagues commented on her improvement too. I saw her confidence growing as we worked together.
A lack of confidence is an issue I can identify with as it’s something I’ve had to overcome in many ways in various chapters of my life. And having lived abroad, I know how frustrating and stressful it can be when you struggle to communicate in a second language.
My aim is to help women like you with their English so that they can use the language comfortably and confidently.
If you use English in your job, I want to make your daily work life easier or maybe even help you get a job or move up the career ladder.
Maybe you have other reasons for learning English, such as travel, communicating with friends or family, or maybe just as a hobby. I'm here for you too!
I have:
Most of the students I’ve worked with one-to-one have been women who need to use English at work and I’ve noticed that one of the most common problems for them is not feeling as confident with the language as they would like to be.
For example, I recently worked with Cansu from Turkey. She sells jewellery internationally and needs English to talk to customers and suppliers. We had conversation lessons and I helped her with some grammar revision too.
She was very excited when she realised she was finding it easier to communicate. Her friends and colleagues commented on her improvement too. I saw her confidence growing as we worked together.
A lack of confidence is an issue I can identify with as it’s something I’ve had to overcome in many ways in various chapters of my life. And having lived abroad, I know how frustrating and stressful it can be when you struggle to communicate in a second language.
My aim is to help women like you with their English so that they can use the language comfortably and confidently.
If you use English in your job, I want to make your daily work life easier or maybe even help you get a job or move up the career ladder.
Maybe you have other reasons for learning English, such as travel, communicating with friends or family, or maybe just as a hobby. I'm here for you too!
I have:
- 24 years of experience teaching English.
- 8 years of experience teaching one-to-one online.
- certificate and diploma-level qualifications from Trinity College London and Cambridge University Press and Assessment.
- a sympathetic and patient approach to teaching.
- an interest in meeting people from all over the world and a desire to really help them overcome their difficulties with learning English.
Why work with me
🔷 If you prefer to stay quiet because you're worried you might make a mistake if you speak and then other people might judge you...
🔷 If you worry that people won’t understand you because of your accent...
🔷 If you feel frustrated because you can’t communicate what you really want to say or awkward because it takes you too long to say it...
🔷 If you avoid situations where you might have to talk to somebody or you don't know what to talk about...
🔷 If you feel left out of the conversation or you feel embarrassed when you don't understand what other people are saying...
🔷 If you can’t find the words you need to say what you want or you find that words go out of your head when you speak...
🔷 If you've been trying to improve your English for some time but you're not seeing results...
… then I can help you with my lessons or my programme.
🔷 If you worry that people won’t understand you because of your accent...
🔷 If you feel frustrated because you can’t communicate what you really want to say or awkward because it takes you too long to say it...
🔷 If you avoid situations where you might have to talk to somebody or you don't know what to talk about...
🔷 If you feel left out of the conversation or you feel embarrassed when you don't understand what other people are saying...
🔷 If you can’t find the words you need to say what you want or you find that words go out of your head when you speak...
🔷 If you've been trying to improve your English for some time but you're not seeing results...
… then I can help you with my lessons or my programme.
Some kind words from my students
"Katie is THE English teacher that I should have had when I first learnt English. Only after one month, I felt the difference in my speaking and fluency. She gave me self confidence to speak correctly in English. I recommend Katie to anyone who wants to achieve their goals in English."
N. Faye, France
"The reason for me to have English lessons with Katie is that I want to speak more authentic English. I noticed that I made grammar mistakes and had issues to articulate myself. And I could not address these on my own. So I need a professional teacher to point out my mistakes and give me advice.
Katie is professional and patient, so I don’t feel bad and anxious when I make a grammar mistake. I feel that I’m gradually improving my English and overcoming the mistakes I made. Now I am more aware of the mistakes I make and able to correct them."
Li, China
N. Faye, France
"The reason for me to have English lessons with Katie is that I want to speak more authentic English. I noticed that I made grammar mistakes and had issues to articulate myself. And I could not address these on my own. So I need a professional teacher to point out my mistakes and give me advice.
Katie is professional and patient, so I don’t feel bad and anxious when I make a grammar mistake. I feel that I’m gradually improving my English and overcoming the mistakes I made. Now I am more aware of the mistakes I make and able to correct them."
Li, China
