About Katherine
I am Katherine. I support and guide students, using their own strengths and talents, to achieve their English goals, whether that be exam success, university entrance or developing their English skills for work. I have been teaching for 22 years and have been a speaking examiner for a range of official English language exams, including the International English Language Testing System. I taught in Turkey for many years but I am now based in the United Kingdom, teaching and assessing UK qualifications. Passionate about English, I am a skilled writer myself with a background in journalism, and I also continue my love of literature as a keen poetry reader and writer. Helping students improve their English writing and speaking begins with understanding their starting point through a diagnostic test and thorough needs analysis. No two students are the same and neither should their lessons be, so I tailor content and delivery to the unique learner I am working with. I believe that focused feedback on knowledge and skill gaps and work on building confidence are key to supporting learners to reach their targets.
In my own life I am always exploring and looking for what I can learn next. I love history, psychology and discovering new cuisines and tastes, a little bit of cooking, but mostly eating.
In conversation with Katherine
Could you tell us a little about your background?
Certainly. I have been teaching for twenty two years now. I spent many years teaching in Turkey, and I am now based in the United Kingdom, where I both teach and assess United Kingdom qualifications. I have also worked as a speaking examiner for a range of official English language exams, including the International English Language Testing System.
What do you help students achieve?
I support and guide students using their own strengths and talents to achieve their English goals, whatever those may be. That might mean exam success, university entrance, or developing English skills for the workplace. Everyone comes to me with a different target, and I enjoy helping each person get there in their own way.
How do you begin working with a new student?
It always starts with understanding their starting point. I use a diagnostic test alongside a thorough needs analysis, because no two students are the same, and I firmly believe their lessons should not be either. From there, I tailor both the content and the way I deliver it to that particular learner.
What do you believe makes the biggest difference to a student's progress?
Focused feedback, definitely, particularly on knowledge and skill gaps. Alongside that, building confidence is just as important. I think learners reach their targets most effectively when those two things go hand in hand.
Do you have interests outside teaching that feed into your work?
Very much so. I am a skilled writer myself, with a background in journalism, and I continue my love of literature as a keen poetry reader and writer. I think that passion for language naturally carries over into how I teach and how I think about writing with my students.
What are you passionate about beyond English?
I am always exploring and looking for what I can learn next. I love history and psychology, and I enjoy discovering new cuisines and tastes. I do a little cooking, but if I am honest, I mostly enjoy the eating part.