You are more than welcome to have a trial lesson with me so that we can get to know each other better. You can tell me more about your needs and goals, as well as your interests. You can also ask me any questions that you wish to ask.

Learn to speak English confidently with a native English speaker from Scotland. 

If you have a good knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar but lack confidence or experience in conversation, this is the perfect course for you. You will be able to practice speaking with a native English speaker from Scotland. 

You can talk about a variety of topics (health, sport, music, movies, psychology, or anything else you want). We can also use articles, videos and more to help you or we can just talk freely. It's your choice! 

- lessons are at a pace that suits you
- you can decide the topic (or I can choose if you want)
- relaxed, friendly lessons with a patient teacher
- be taught by a native English speaker from Scotland
- get the feedback you want
- you are in control of the lessons. 

Book a trial lesson today if you want to start having conversations in English today.

(Please note that grammar is not taught as part of this course but any errors will be explained).

English Conversation Practice

Do you feel anxiety when you need to write an email to a colleague? Do you feel frustrated when you have to write an essay or report in English?  Do you feel annoyed because you're relying on Google translate?

That's because English writing is very difficult, even for native speakers. However, with this course you can improve your writing for exams, for university assignments, or for work. 

You know that you have to improve your writing because if you don't, you will continue to lack confidence and this will prevent you from carrying on with the other work or study that you need to do. But where to start? 

My writing course can help you improve the quality of your writing and help you to feel more confident when you write in just 5 lessons. That way, you can continue with the other things you have to do. 

Why should you choose this course? 

- Because you want to improve the overall quality of your writing in English
- Because you want to learn how to structure your essays, reports, or emails in situations that are specific to your needs
- Because your tired of lacking confidence in your writing

In this course, you'll:

- learn with a native English speaker who gained top marks for writing assignments at university. 
- improve your academic, work-related, or general writing
- get practice exercises covering a variety  of topics and writing styles (or we can use your own writing)
- get practical feedback

If you want to know more, you can book a trial lesson with me or send me a message. You can even just type "improve my writing" and I'll contact you.

Improve your English writing

*Please note, if you want to practice conversations in English with a Scottish teacher, this is not the correct course. Please see details of my English Conversation Practice course * 

This course is an introduction to the Scots language. 

Scots is one of 3 official languages (along with English and Scottish Gaelic) in Scotland. It is a minority language and one that we use a lot in conjunction with English. 

So if you plan to visit Scotland and want to know what you'll hear on the streets, book a lesson today. 

In this course you'll learn: 

- what Scots is and how it is used in Scotland
- the sounds of Scots
- the most common Scots words
- differences between the West and East coasts
- some basic grammar
- communicating in practical situations and reading real dialogues

To do this course, it would be best if you have at least B2 level of English as the instructions  and materials will be given in English.

Learn Scots

If you have an interest in poems, songs, and literature that are written in the Scots language, this is the perfect course for you. 

In each lesson, we can choose a particular song, poem, or verse and work together to translate and understand it. By doing this, you will be able to have a greater appreciation of Scots culture. Some examples that I have used in previous lessons include:

- poems and songs by Robert Burns
- a poem that tells the story of a Scottish village choosing its memorial to honour their war dead
- Harry Potter in the Scots language.

You can make your own suggestions too. 

This course is best suited for those who have at least B2 English and have also taken the introductory course in Scots.

Scots Poems, Songs, Literature

Are you planning on studying at a university in an English-speaking country? Or are you enrolled on a university Cours in your own country that is taught in English? If so, you should take this course so that you can gain the skills you need to study in English at university level. 

Academic English is not like general English - it has its own subtle rules and conventions and this applies to reading, writing, speaking, and listening. So, whether you are already enrolled on a course and want support with your essays or presentations, or you are due to start a university course soon, you can help, support, and practice with doing university tasks in English. 

We can start by talking about your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Some of the things we can practice can include: 

Speaking - presentations, pair discussions, group discussions. 
Listening - Listening during a meeting and a lecture.
Writing - planning, structure, quoting, references, taking notes. 
Reading - reading for general message and for detail

I have teaching materials but we can use your own work or materials that you have been assigned. 

Requirements: You should already have at least B2 level of general English and have (or be working towards) your institution's required IELTS or TOEFL score. You should also make sure you have enough study time available between lessons. This course will require a lot of self study so you should make sure you have time to dedicate to it. 

Sign up today or book a trial lesson if you want to improve your English for academic study.

English for University

Are you a teacher in a school, training institute, or university? 

Do you have a good knowledge of English but feel nervous when you have to use it in your classroom? Do you struggle to communicate with your students either in writing or speaking? 

You need to improve your English for your job and you know that if you don't, it will prevent you from teaching your students effectively and making progress in your career. 

If any of this seems familiar to you, my English for Teachers / Educators course is perfect for you. 

My course can help you feel more confident when you communicate with your learners in the classroom or online and allow you to carry on with the rest of your work and make progress in your career. 

This course is the result of ten years of helping teachers at all levels and you will see a difference in just 3-4 lessons. 

Here are some of the things we can practice: 

- giving instructions
- communicating with your learners in writing (email, forum, social media)
- teaching a topic in English (if you don't normally teach in English)
- giving presentations, lectures, and workshops
- giving feedback

We can choose the objective that is best for you and we can use materials that you need to use. 

With my course, you'll get: 

- lessons from a native teacher from Scotland
- lessons from a patient, encouraging teacher
- lessons that help you achieve your goal
- practical feedback and advice

If you're still not sure, you can read testimonials from my previous students on my page. 

I can help you if:

- you are a primary school teacher (5-11) who needs to teach their class partly or entirely in English
- you are a high school teacher who teaches a specific subject and wants to use English in some/all of the lesson
- you teach adults at university and need to or want to give classes in English

So, if this sounds good, book a trial lesson or send me a message today with the word "teacher" and I can contact you.

English for Teachers / Educators

Have you written an assignment for school or university? Or a report for work? Or another important document that must be perfect?

Errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure can seriously detract from your message. They can also look unprofessional. 

But you can take advantage of my writing-check service to ensure your document is perfect for your audience. 

The service includes: 

- Checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentences structure.

- Checking citations and references 

- Checking document structure and flow

How does it work? 

- send me a message on Italki and include your document in Microsoft Word

- I will read it and tell you the approximate time and cost

- If you are happy and agree to it, I will send you a lesson invite with the total price. You MUST accept the lesson invite before I begin to check your document. 

- Once you receive the document back (usually in 2 working days, NOT including the weekend), you MUST confirm the lesson or allow it to confirm automatically. If you fail to do this or cancel the lesson, you will be reported to Italki. 

Why choose me to do this? 

- I am an experienced proofreader with 5 years of experience
- I specialise in checking assignments in psychology and sociology
- As an experienced  university teacher, I understand what universities and professors look for in assignments. 

So, send me a message today and see how I can help you with your assignment or document. 

* Please note, that this service is only to check your document for errors. It is not a writing service. You must write the document and I will check it. I also take no responsibility for any grade received or any negative feedback. Also, the minimum price for this service is $40 p/h.

Writing-Check Service

Degree certificate for Master's degree as described in Education section

Specialised in teaching foreign languages, specifically ESOL. 

Course included 100-hour placement teaching ESOL at community setting in Glasgow, UK. 

Modules: Psychology of Adult Learning, International Issues in Adult Education, Curriculum Development, Modern Educational Thought

Dissertation: Motivational Factors in Language Learning

Teaching English Conversation to groups of 30 adult learners of English (B1-C1 level). 

Experience that helps me teach on italki: preparing, planning and delivering sessions; using technology in teaching language; setting goals and objectives; encouraging fluency and accuracy in oral production.

teaching ESOL at beginner's level as part of Master's degree placement. 

Experience gaines: planning, preparing, and delivering sessions, designing learning resources; encouraging confidence in speaking; providing feedback

Teaching both general and business English to adult learners in multinational companies via Skype.

Relevant experience gained: teaching using online platforms; teaching business English; initial diagnostic assessments; choosing resources; teaching via Skype.

Teaching one-to-one and group lessons in both ESOL and Spanish.

Duties include: initial diagnostic assessment, course and material design, teaching one-to-one and groups; exam preparation.