Why You Should Work with a Speak Better English Tutor...  

Danielle (Manager, Speak Better English), IELTS, PTE & OET English Tutor

BA. majoring in Japanese, CELTA, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Hi, I’m Danielle and I run the day-today operations at Speak Better English.

In terms of my background, I’m an ESL teacher with approximately 25 years of teaching experience in all aspects of teaching English as a Second Language, and specialise in English pronunciation lessons, exam preparation for IELTS PTE and OET, as well as general English skills. I am passionate about helping people achieve their goals and gain confidence in their communication ability, and facilitating lessons with the wonderful teaching team at Speak Better English.

In my role as manager at SBE, I will be happy to match up an excellent English tutor for your particular English language needs to enable you to have access to high-quality teaching experts who can provide an enjoyable, rewarding and empowering learning experience for you through one-to-one English tuition.

I look forward to ensuring that Speak Better English continues to give students greater English language skills and confidence to enrich their lives in Australia, and SBE teachers the satisfaction of working with these students to help them speak their best English possible!

Please call me to discuss your English language needs on 0425 795 738.

Deborah ( Torquay or online) English, IELTS & OET English Tutor

Certificate 4 in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) 2015

Earlier in her career, Deborah worked overseas in The Philippines, Japan, Indonesia and later in the USA and consequently has a good understanding of working and living as a foreigner in another country.

Deborah has had extensive administrative and PA experience working with Professors, CEOs and senior managers in the Education and Not-for-Profit sectors. She has had hands-on experience attending Board meetings, editing reports to Boards, writing agendas, meeting minutes, emails and organising training -all of which gives her solid background knowledge for your discussions about your workplace.

Your lessons will be tailored to your individual needs. You may be looking for help with day-to-day language problems in some of the following areas:

• Meetings – coffee and casual meetings, more formal Board/business meetings, how to keep a conversation going and when to stop

• Chatting at a business cocktail function or dinner/drinks party

• Preparing to participate in a training course – building your awareness of vocabulary

• Pronunciation

• PowerPoint presentations – writing and presenting

• Public speaking and/or business pitches

• Current affairs – feel confident to talk about what’s happening in the news

• Unconscious patterns and mistakes you may be making

• Writing emails / Business etiquette / Business idioms / Expressions / Negotiations and Disagreements / Relationship building

• Work customs/office culture/working with clients

• CV preparation and interview techniques

• IELTS and OET preparation

Happy Student Testimonials:

A very happy presentation skills student

I finished the presentation, it was excellent and I am so happy. One of the audience commented on my English that it was good and very clear. Thanks a lot for your help and support. CB

A very happy, successful IELTS  student

IELTS scores received today: 8.0 Reading 8.0 Speaking. Thank you so much, fabulous improvement. Now need to concentrate on Writing. AA

Many more happy students!

Dear Deb, Thank you so much for all of your help and support. Really, I have learned a lot from you. We had interesting discussions. ST

I really really enjoyed your class. Thank you so much. AT

Thanks Deb. It was great working with you and I hope to work with you again in the future. RH

I would like to say thank you for all the great knowledge that you have given us and I am really glad that I gained a lot of new English phrases and words, as well as clarifying all those English expressions that I have been wondering about for years. KA

Deborah worked with my daughter’s teacher to reinforce and help her to understand English. Deborah was listening to my daughter. Now she became more confident with English at school and everywhere. She is not afraid to speak English with people. Deborah interacted with my daughter on subjects she liked. SL

Hazel (Skype or Zoom) English Tutor & Job Interview Coach

BA Hons French/Spanish Post Grad Teaching Certificate,  Post Grad Dip TESOL, Cert IV in Training & Assess.

I have over 35 years’ experience teaching English as an Additional Language in a  range of settings in the UK, France, Spain, Malaysia, Brunei, China, Myanmar and Australia.

Helping people to achieve their goals and make a difference to their lives has  always been my aim.

I have taught students at all levels and I have a specific interest in assisting  advanced level students to improve their speaking and writing skills. 

For 15 years I worked extensively with skilled migrant professionals assisting them  to successfully apply for jobs in Australia.

My particular teaching strengths are in the following areas:

• Writing successful resumes and cover letters

• Addressing key selection criteria

• Preparing for and performing effectively in job interviews

• Developing networking skills

• Understanding workplace idiomatic language

• Advanced grammar

• Improving pronunciation

I believe that my extensive skills as a teacher and trainer enable me to work with  people from all backgrounds and cultures in an enthusiastic, supportive manner to maximize successful outcomes.

Happy Student Testimonials:

From a Satisfied Job Interview Skills Student:

I come from China, and I have been in Australia just two years. I am a Business Analyst, and I worked with Hazel just two sessions before my job interviews. Hazel tailored my lessons according to my needs, my past experiences and my expectations, she helped me to plan practical interview strategies, and she was very flexible, always tried her best to help me, came to class well prepared. I will definitely recommend Hazel to my friends who wish to improve their interview skills to get their dream jobs.

This experience of tutoring has strengthened my ability to function in Australia because, with Hazel’s tutoring, I’m able to use interview strategies to demonstrate my abilities and skills, add details when describing my experiences, and I feel confident to go to interviews. In my future sessions, I would like to cover networking with others at work, and Business Writing. 

Hazel is great! And Marianne responded and followed up my calls and emails really quickly, I’m very satisfied with the service. 

Business Analyst from China, December 2021

First BA Hons in Italian Language & Literature

RSA TEFLA (Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults)

I’ve taught English as a Second Language in Australia, Italy, Turkey and England, for over 16 years. I’ve mostly taught European and Asian business executives and have helped many students pass their IELTS exam. 

For 11 years, I also worked as a Business Development Manager in various charities and I eventually became the Chief Executive of Love Is All We Need, a charity that supports AIDS orphans in South Africa. After 18 months in this position, I chose to go back to teaching because I find it more motivating, and I’m now able to use my business experience in my teaching. 

My main aim is to give you the confidence to express yourself freely in English. I will create my lessons to suit your individual needs and you can always request to practise specific language areas. Whatever the goal of the lesson is, I will aim to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere. 

When I’m not teaching, I run a part-time global health business, manage my investment properties, watch films that make me laugh and enjoy walking in nature, as often as I can.

Happy Student Testimonials:

From a Confident Business English online class student: 

"I am from India and I have been in Australia for the last 8 years. I am a Manager at a software company, and I have worked with Claudia for three sessions in the Confident Business English online class.

I enjoy Claudia's classes which have a good balance of grammar, pronunciation and speaking. I am more aware of grammar now and make right choices with the words resulting in improved writing & speaking skills. The small groups and practical exercises are the best part of the classes.  I have enrolled for the next round of classes and I would like to focus on Speaking and Grammar. So far my professional development with Speak Better English has been a great experience."

HS, Manager at a Software Company

From a happy speaking and confident communication student

"I come from France and I have been in Australia for 4.5 years. I am a Graphic Designer, and I have worked with Claudia for 10 sessions so far.  What I like about working with Claudia is that she is very flexible and able to adapt the format of her lessons to my needs and preferences. She has given me the tools to take my English to the next level with advanced tips. It is very pleasant to learn with her, and I always look forward to our next session.

Working with Claudia has helped me to be less self-conscious about my English. I used to always worry about the way people would see me, which impacted my confidence. Now, I don’t hesitate to pick up the phone, talk to people I don’t know and speak my mind. I really feel like I belong here."

Guillaume, graphic designer and student at Australian School of Applied Management (ASAM) , May 2020

From a successful IELTS student Li Jessie - 4 years ago

Speak Better English provides professional service. It provides you with an assessment before the first lesson, so that teachers know your English level in advance. I studied IELTS with Claudia last year. She helped me understand my weakness in writing and speaking. Her teaching was enjoyable and helpful. I also studied ISLPR with Sally who was friendly and professional. I really enjoy learning English with teachers in Speak Better English.

Elizabeth (Mont Albert) Pronunciation & English Tutor

BA (Hons) Dip Ed; MA in Linguistics; Grad Dip TESOL; Cert 4 TAE; ATCL in piano teaching.

With more than 30 years experience in teaching, mostly in English as an Additional Language for adults in Melbourne, I have a deep interest in language learning and cross cultural communication. 

I have travelled extensively, tried my hand at learning a number of other languages, and have taught English in a range of settings: in Indonesia, China and most recently Myanmar. 

In Australia, I have worked in TAFE with adult learners from many language backgrounds. There I gained a particular interest in developing the skills of people at intermediate to advanced levels with English for the workplace.

My strengths are in pronunciation, advanced grammar, effective oral presentations and writing for employment purposes. I also enjoy sharing the informal, idiomatic use of English as spoken in Australia. 

I believe in providing a supportive environment that builds confidence in learners, allowing them to progress towards their language and personal goals. 

Happy Student Testimonials:

From an enthusiastic speaking and general English skills student:

I come from China, and I have been here 6 months, and I plan to set up my own patisserie business in future. I have had around 15 sessions with Mrs. Liz Dartnell, and I like working with her because she can accurate figure out my speaking weakness and ways to solve them in a very professional manner. This helps me at work and in my life because she shared with me a lot of cultural background as well as hobbies and everything regarding life – it helps a lot. I would say her lessons are perfect, I would like to take another 10 sessions or more on my grammar or my weakness in writing."

Longyin, from China, August 2017

From a happy speaking and communication skills student 

"I am a personal trainer and I came here from Brazil 10 years ago. I have had four sessions with my tutor Liz Dartnell, and I really appreciate her patience and her help with my English weaknesses. Liz gives me some tips and corrections, and corrects my mistakes when I speak. She is a great teacher, and it’s very important to speak and communicate in clear English and she is helping me improve that."

Soni, Personal Trainer from Brazil, August 2017

Meryl (on Zoom or Skype) ISLPR & IELTS English Tutor

B Ed, Post Grad Dip TESOL, Cert IV in Training & Assess. Dip of Health, Dip Professional Writing & Editing

Moving on from over 30 years tertiary classroom teaching experience, I have most recently spent two years intensively teaching various levels of English one-to-one via Skype and Zoom, to migrants from many different cultures and backgrounds. My students improved both their English speaking and listening, and computer skills!

Whether you want to prepare for IELTS or OET, I have current procedural experience with both exams and have helped many students achieve successful results. In being part of consulting skills workshops for medical professionals I have gained valuable insights into current Australian medical practice.

If you want to improve your writing for business, enhance your English grammar while editing essays for further studies, or even just successfully pass the Citizenship Test, I will be pleased to assist you.

No goal is too big or too small and it is my pleasure to provide structure, materials and lots of supportive practice in your home or mine or online, with Speak Better English.

Anne   (Zoom or Toorak, CBD, South Yarra, Hawthorn, Armadale, or Malvern by arrangement)  English Tutor with Legal and Finance Background

Dip Teach, BA, LLB

Anne has a unique combination of skills. She is an experienced corporate lawyer, banker and classroom teacher, and an experienced ESL coach. During 25 years living and working in Asia, Anne co-founded her own ESL coaching business. 

As we rise to senior positions, excellent English matters. Anne now specialises in assisting senior managers and senior academics, whether new to English or native English speakers, to polish spoken and written English and presentation skills. But she also designs and delivers training programs for whole teams, eg, targeting common errors in business writing, or upgrading negotiation skills. Anne works hard to exactly match coaching materials to the client’s needs. She firmly believes this is the only way to ensure real progress.

With clients from a range of language backgrounds, including from China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam, as well as many others from European and Middle Eastern backgrounds, Anne understands the various pronunciation and grammar challenges, especially of Asian-born English speakers. Anne has assisted many of her clients via online lessons , so you may choose to receive a full range of language support, including materials, online, in your own home and at a time to suit you.

Anne has a background as a banking & finance lawyer with one of Australia’s top corporate law firms, as well as with a high-profile Hong Kong law firm, and also in senior management with an international banking group. This experience, combined with many years of teaching and coaching both in Asia and Australia, enables her to provide effective tailored programs of the highest standard. But, most importantly, Anne loves coaching.

Louise (Collingwood & Melbourne CBD, Teams & Zoom) English Tutor with Corporate Background

  Master of Arts (Public Sector Leadership), Graduate Certificate (Public Sector Management)  and Graduate Certificate Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)(curr.)

With more than 30 years senior level experience in government, I have developed, coached and mentored many professionals, improving their communication effectiveness. I have been working with skilled and professional migrants and refugees as a mentor developing their leadership potential, business ideas and English fluency and competency.

One of the great strengths of Australian workplaces is having such incredibly diverse  employees who can bring so much knowledge and experience from global careers and education. During my public sector career, I worked overseas representing a large government agency. Located in Hong Kong and New Delhi, I worked leading large locally engaged teams across the South and East Asian regions. This inspired me to find ways to better integrate different languages, cultures and networks into the Australian way of working. 

I like working with my clients to find the best way for them to promote their qualities,  capabilities and experience in support of their ambitions and dreams. This could be to bring more influence to the negotiation table or to present an important board paper or ministerial brief, so they want their language – whether oral or written - to be clear and persuasive. I can help with grammar, but my emphasis will always be on working with you, building your effectiveness in English business language, setting the right tone, using new terms appropriately and in the right context, including idioms, jargon and other informal business language. 

Annette ( Zoom & WhatsApp) English Tutor & ISLPR Tutor

B Ed, MA Applied Linguistics (TESOL), Associate Diploma of Modern Languages (Italian), TAE40116 Cert IV in Training and Assessment

I have been working in the field of English as a Second Language teaching in a variety of settings since 1993. My studies and my work in the field have been conducted in Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and I have worked in primary and secondary settings, as well as with adults. 

Since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, I have been working with students online using a variety of platforms such as Zoom, What’sApp, Classin and Microsoft Teams.

I hold a Victorian Teachers’ Registration Certificate myself, and since starting with Speak Better English , I am focusing on assisting teachers with overseas qualifications to satisfy the requirements for teacher registration in different Australian states by achieving four x 4’s on the ISLPR. I have experience teaching IT, Mathematics and Science, which can be relevant for secondary ISLPR candidates with those specialties.

As a teacher, I am a good listener and encourage students to ask questions for clarification. I know what is required to get these grades on the ISLPR test, and with my Masters in Linguistics, I have an excellent understanding of the grammatical problems which can hinder otherwise excellent teachers from getting their registration. I am aware that students have different styles of learning, and I have the flexibility to adapt my lessons to suit the way you learn. I also include fun activities such as vocabulary quizzes and guessing games in my planning. 

I look forward to helping you overcome the challenge of getting your 4 x 4s on the ISLPR!

Happy ISLPR Student Testimonials:

Dani Mardones, August 2023

I prepared with them my ISLPR Test to be a accredited to be a teacher in Australia.I got Speaking: 4, Reading: 4+, Listening: 4+ and Writing: 4. Annette was my teacher and helped me to prepared the writing and the listening. I did 3 classes with her. She knew a lot about the test and what to do to prepared. 100% recommended.

Jie Liu review July 2023

A massive Thankyou to Speak Better English and my tutor Annette for helping me achieve my goal, a score of 4 in writing. I really enjoyed Annette's class. She gave me different writing formats and topics to practise, which helped me be fully prepared for the test. Annette was amazing!! She marked all my homework and gave me valuable feedback to get my writing skills improved day by day.
Speak Better English is the best place to realise your dream of becoming a teacher. Thank you!

May 30, 2022, comments from another successful ISLPR candidate:

"I come from India, and I have been in Australia for 8 years. I am a Childcare Educator, and I worked with Annette for 6 sessions. She helped me a lot with my grammatical errors, and what I liked best about working with her was that she always had constructive feedback for me. Also, Admin was very supportive and helpful." 

AND!! 31st May,2022    

“I have received my results and I have scored 4+ in the ISLPR test. I want to thank you for all the support. 

Kind regards, 

Tanvi”     

Tanvi, NSW Childcare Educator from India, May 2022 

Dorit (Zoom) ISLPR & IELTS English Tutor

BA; MA; Grad Dip TESOL; Cert IV TAE; IELTS Teacher Training

Seeing my students achieve their ambitions has been the most rewarding aspect of my 20-year career teaching English in a variety of settings!

In the past I have helped foreign students at Language Centres get enough English to enter university, and I have helped many TAFE students complete job-seeking courses. However, in recent years, most of my work has been with professionals with high levels of English seeking to pass exams for Australian recognition of their overseas degrees – doctors and nurses primarily, although some accountants and teachers as well.

Getting registration in their career is not the end of the language-learning road either! I understand that professionals may have all the technical language they need, but it is the conversational English that helps them build relationships at work that is often the most challenging thing to acquire. Many students just want to be able to relax when they are talking to people, and not be always second-guessing themselves about their grammar or their inadequate vocabulary!

A little about me - I started my working life as a classical musician working in symphony orchestras. I still perform but no longer full-time, allowing me more time to spend on my farm where we raise sheep for wool and grow most of our own food.

As a musician I have travelled extensively and lived and studied overseas while learning a language. I really do understand wanting to master a language not just for study or work but also to speak clearly and comfortably in casual and social settings.

Looking forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your language goals!

Judy (Online - Zoom and Teams) English Tutor and OET & IELTS Tutor

CELTA

Hi, I am Judy and have been teaching English as a foreign language for over 40 years, working and living in Greece and Italy as well as England and Australia. I now live in Perth in Western Australia, and I am available for online classes and face to face if you live in the beautiful city of Perth.

Having been in exactly your position but with 3 different foreign languages, I know how it feels not to have the skills to communicate confidently. However, when you get them, what a difference it makes to your life, your social skills and job prospects!

I am able to help you improve your confidence and ability to discuss complex topics such as your work-related issues and current affairs, and to refine your writing skills, picking up on your errors and working together discussing how to improve your English skills across the board. That might be working on your grammar skills, understanding when and how to use correct verb tenses or vocabulary, such as widening your knowledge of words, synonyms, idioms, and even phrasal verbs. My pronunciation is very clear and I can help you with yours too.

I love helping students make a difference to their lives by passing tests such as OET for doctors and nurses, IELTS general and academic, ISLPR as well as business English exams. I have worked on improving students’ specific work skills such as public speaking, preparing, and giving presentations, negotiating, and taking part in meetings. I have also helped many students in applying for jobs, improving their resume, and working on job interview skills.

I look forward to working together with you, finding out your language needs and creating a programme that will pinpoint your weaknesses and improve your English as quickly as possible.

Happy Student Testimonials:

From a successful OET student!

Dear Judy, 

I am writing to thank you again for your kind support and help with my OET preparation. 

I passed the test!!!

I got the score 380 for listening, 450 for reading, 370 for writing and 440 for speaking. 

Thank you again! :) All the best, 

Ciao, Pietro 

From a successful OET student now working as a doctor!

Hi Judy,

This is Irina Lindeque, your student in 2018.

I just would like to say Big thank you for all your efforts and knowledge. 

I have successfully passed all exams and now working as a Community Paediatrician in England. This position requires a lot of communication with colleagues and patients and your lessons are always in my mind.

I wish you all the best,

Irina Lindeque