Karen Shelver
About Me
Lessons
Availability
Reviews
Visited 4 hours ago
Karen Shelver
Professional Teacher![]()
Teaches
English
Native
Speaks
Other
AMERICAN English pronunciation, grammar, vocab, wide range of topics from easy to challenging.
Teaches
English
Native
Speaks
Other
AMERICAN English pronunciation, grammar, vocab, wide range of topics from easy to challenging.
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume
From United StatesLiving in Surat Thani, Thailand (13:14 UTC+07:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Feb 1, 2022InterestsFoodReadingHistoryFilms & TV SeriesArt
My name is Teacher Karen. I am from the State of California, in the USA, currently residing in Thailand.
I hold a Degree in Creative Writing and a TEFL Certificate *120 hours* to teach English as a Foreign Language. I have been teaching English as a second language for 15 years, during which time I have guided students planning to take Cambridge IGCSE, IELTS, TOEFL and other exams. With my guidance, the majority of the students who took these exams received their desired score, or at least very close to it. Adult and teenage students can work on their speaking and comprehension skills for work, job opportunities, higher education, and any other situation they desire.Me as a Teacher
In June 2024, a young student wrote about his IELTS score: "Hi teacher, I got 7.5 overall and 7.5 for speaking". I'm very proud of this student's achievement, and all the others like it that I have enjoyed being a part of. Others have written similar results; most felt they could only have received the score they got due to my help and guidance.
I try to make learning fun and interesting by using various methods and proven teaching techniques. We will engage in useful conversations on a variety of topics in every meeting no matter the students' skills or confidence level. I provide a variety of resources to help guide students on their exciting learning journey.My lessons & teaching style
AI is changing the world. It is useful, but it will NEVER take the place of speaking face to face. I encourage all students to choose whatever topics they wish to discuss and I'll correct pronunciation and grammar as needed using proven techniques for remembering. Students are rewarded for self-correcting (HOORAY) errors while I provide patient guidance, kindness and support. I find a touch of humor goes a long way. :-). No matter if it's one lesson or ongoing packages, students will always gain confidence in their ability to hold all kinds of conversations with other English speakers without worrying about making mistakes. Listen, talk, learn. It's fun!My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Video files
- Articles and news
- Quizzes
- Test templates and examples
Certificates
TEFL - Island TEFL, Koh Samui, Thailand - 2011I completed 120 hours class and 8 hours teaching practice in my TEFL course. I completed the course and received a certificate to teach English as a Second Language.
Certificate verified
Teaching experience
2011 - 2021
Teacher of English as a second languageI tought English as a second language in the Thai government school system for about 11 years. I have experience teaching kindergarten through grade 13 (high school senior). I have also taught individual and group classes of children, teens and adults. I have taught business English to adults one on one and in a group environment. I have had positive feedback from the institutions as well as individuals.
Education
1988 - 1991
Bachelor’s - Creative Writing
Work Experience
2011 - 2021
ESL TeacherI taught ESL in several schools in Thailand from Kindergarten to year 13 for nearly 11 years. I have taught beginners and assisted in exam preparation courses for IELTS and Cambridge IGCSE. I have also taught Business English to adults privately from time to time. I have retained materials for all levels and all student needs and will provide structured lessons for all specific learning needs.
2012 - 2020
TeacherI taught small group classes of business professionals from several industries, such as hospital staff and mining industry workers, how to improve their communication skills as a part-time tutor. I also taught children one on one and small group classes whose ages ranged from 5 years to 14 years old, all levels and all aspects of English: reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and conversational English. Business groups received certificates of completion at the end of each course.
5.0
Rating
250
Students
1,391
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
English Lessons
Trial Lesson
122 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Introducing myself: Sowing the seeds for a continuing English learning journey. Beginner level (A1-A2)
A1 - A2Language Essentials204 lessons completed
USD 12.00+
Package with 35% off
Lower/Upper Intermediate Conversation / comprehension (B1 / B2)
B1 - B2Language Essentials520 lessons completed
USD 18.00+
Package with 49% off
Intermediate/Advanced level/speaking/listening test preparation (B1 - C1)
B2 - C1Language Essentials469 lessons completed
USD 18.00+
Package with 45% off
Professional / Business Conversation - Upper Intermediate/Advanced (B1 - C2)
B1 - C1Language Essentials76 lessons completed
USD 18.00+
Package with 30% off
Intermediate/Advanced Conversation for small groups - Teens 16+ and adults ONLY
B1 - C1Language Essentials0 lessons completed
USD 25.00+
Package with 24% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
69 Reviews
Gabriela
6 English lessons
I really enjoy the classes with Karen! They are always very engaging and easy to follow, which makes it much easier to practice fluency.
Jan 1, 2025
Tanya
44 English lessons
Fascinating and funny, as always! Teacher Karen’s lessons are such a pleasure to attend. Thank you!
Dec 15, 2024
yanhongcatherine
17 English lessons
Thanks, Karen, it is always a great time to have a lesson with you!
Dec 9, 2024
yanhongcatherine
17 English lessons
Karen is very good teacher! She is always well prepared before our lesson starts . I like her way of teaching and the topics we talked about during the lessons. she is very patient and understanding. Thanks, Karen!
Sep 16, 2024
Tanya
44 English lessons
Thank you for another great lesson!
Sep 15, 2024
Flora-SH
11 English lessons
She is a great English teacher and has prepared excellent study materials for her courses. Through her studies, she has been very helpful in improving my speaking skills and taking the IELTS exam.
Aug 11, 2024
Trial Lesson
USD 10.00
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