I am a qualified microbiologist and ran my own laboratory for more than ten years. When I left my profession, I decided to pursue my other love and take up teaching. I love reading and learning new things, walking and keeping fit doing Pilates. I am firm believer in a healthy body and an active mind.
I am a TEFL level 5 teacher, certified to teach English as a second language. I also am certified to tutor students preparing to write the IELTS exam. I am passionate about the English language and qualified as a teacher in order to be able to share that love with my students. I am relaxed and friendly, never critical when my students make mistakes. My aim is to help them in every possible way to achieve their goals. I specialize in teaching adults both in Business English, Conversational English as well as IELTS preparation. Please note that I do not teach children as the teaching materials I use are not suitable for children.
I tailor my lesson to suit the individual students needs and interest. My teaching style is to present, practice and produce. We discuss the lesson topic, the students practice while I check and correct their understanding if necessary and then the students are allowed to practice what they have learned. I am relaxed and friendly, for my students to learn effectively, it is important for them to feel comfortable and to enjoy what they are learning.
My teaching material
PDF file
Audio files
Text Documents
Image files
Articles and news
Video files
Quizzes
Homework Assignments
Certificates
TOEFLx:TOEFL iBT TestPreparation: - ETS - 2024
Certificate verified
Qualifi Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Practice - TEFL Academy - 2023Observed teaching practice
Certificate in Teaching TOEFL Preparation - ITTI - 2022
Certificate verified
Top 12 Teachers of 2021 - Off2Class - 2022I am honoured to be selected as one of the top 12 teachers of 2021, by Off2Class
Certificate verified
IELTS Specialist Certificate - Global language Training - 2021Training to assist students in achieving an acceptable bandwidth when sitting the IELTS exam
Certificate verified
IELTS Specialist Certificate - Global Language Training - 2021
Certificate verified
Qualifi Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English - TEFL Academy - 2019168 hours training in teaching English as a foreign language
Certificate verified
Nat. Higher Dip. in Microbiology - Wits. Technicon - 1985Subjects covered, Industrial Microbiology, Quality Control, Analytical Biochemistry and Research Methods and Techniques
Certificate verified
Dip. in Microbiology - Wits. Technicon - 1976Subjects studied: Human Physiology, Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Medical Microbiology
Bachelor’s - MicrobioloyWitwatersrand TechniconHigher National Diploma in Microbiology
Work Experience
2021 - 2021
English TutorNevy's Language - Toronto, CanadaOnline teaching one on one
2021 - 2024
Online English TutorPreply - United KingdomOne-on-one teaching
5.0
Rating
130
Students
1,477
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
5.0
Rating
130
Students
1477
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
English Lessons
Trial Lesson
68 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Conversational English
A2 - C1Conversation524 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Package with 15% off
General English
A2 - B2Language Essentials510 lessons completed
USD 13.00+
Package with 17% off
IELTS/TOEFL preparation
B2 - C1Test Preparation259 lessons completed
USD 20.00+
Package with 15% off
Availability
52 Reviews
Peter Yao
14 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
Karen ist eine ausgezeichnete Englischlehrerin. Sie ist geduldig, freundlich und jede Stunde sehr gut vorbereitet. Sie gibt klare Anleitungen und stellt hilfreiche Lernmaterialien zur Verfügung, sodass jede Unterrichtseinheit effektiv und angenehm ist. Dank ihr fühle ich mich sicherer im Englischen. Ich kann Karen jedem empfehlen, der eine professionelle und unterstützende Lehrerin sucht!
May 6, 2026
Daria Gudz
64 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
I have been studying with Karen for five months to prepare for the IELTS exam. She is a very kind and rigorous professor who always does her best to help me improve. She provides valuable insights about the exam and patiently corrects my mistakes, no matter how many times I repeat them. If you want to prepare for the IELTS effectively and comfortably, choose Karen!
May 25, 2025
Lanfang Kong
4 English lessons
too much reading in the class, which is not inline with my goals.
Mar 8, 2024
Peter Yao
14 English lessons
Teacher’s pick
Karen is an outstanding tutor when it comes to exam preparation like IELTS and TOEFL. She is highly experienced and, although she is a native English speaker, she understands very well the challenges that non-native learners face. She offers clear strategies and practical advices on exam difficulties. Thank you, Karen, for helping me prepare for the TOEFL! I would recommend Karen to anyone who needs to prepare for the TOEFL or IELTS.
Karen ist eine hervorragende Lehrerin, besonders wenn es um Prüfungsvorbereitung IELTS und TOEFEL geht. Sie ist sehr erfahren und versteht trotz ihrer Muttersprache Englisch die typischen Schwierigkeiten von Nicht-Muttersprachlern sehr gut. Vielen Dank, Karen, für Deine Unterstützung bei meiner TOEFL-Vorbereitung!
Karen 是备考专家。虽然她自己是英语母语,但她很了解外国学生会遇到的问题, 能够针对考试难点提供极好的建议。
感谢 Karen 帮助我准备 TOEFEL 考试。推荐 Karen 老师给所有需要备考托福和雅思的同学。
May 2, 2026
Nancy
1 English lesson
An British lady who lives in South Africa with good patience and teaching skills.
Mar 27, 2024
ZIH-SYUN CHEN
61 English lessons
Thank you for being an inspiring and dedicated teacher. Your friendly personality and willingness to help students succeed have made my learning journey full of joy and reward. I would like to express my gratitude for your guidance and assistance.
您是一位鼓舞人心且敬業的老師,非常感謝這將近快一年以來的教導與協助,您的耐心與溫柔使每堂課我都能輕鬆並愉快地學習,未來我會繼續努力,並往目標邁進。