Online
Debbie
Professional TeacherTeaches
English
Native
Speaks
Italian
Specialties
BusinessTest PreparationNative British English Teacher | Business English, Fluency & Exam Preparation (B1–C2)
Teaches
English
Native
Speaks
Italian
Specialties
BusinessTest PreparationNative British English Teacher | Business English, Fluency & Exam Preparation (B1–C2)
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From United KingdomLiving in Forli, Italy (22:21 UTC+01:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Jun 24, 2021InterestsEnvironment & NatureTechTravelScience
Hi. I’m Debbie from Liverpool in the UK — a native British English teacher with a clear, easy-to-understand accent. I’ve lived on four continents and currently live in Italy. My background is a little unusual: before teaching, I worked as a Research Chemist, then spent 16 years travelling the world as a sports instructor, teaching people of all nationalities.
When I returned to Europe, I earned my TEFL certificate and started teaching English full-time. I now help adults from all over the world speak English more naturally, confidently, and professionally.Me as a Teacher
I have over 20 years of teaching experience and specialise in working with adult learners (B1–C2).
My key areas are:
Fluency development
Business English
Technical / scientific English
IELTS preparation
Improving pronunciation, accuracy, and real-life communication
My lessons are structured yet flexible, and I always adapt my teaching style to suit your learning preferences.
I teach adults only and focus on students from high B1 to C2.
Many of my students work in international companies, are preparing for job interviews, or need English for meetings, emails, and presentations. My lessons & teaching style
My classes are very conversational because I believe the best way to improve is by using English actively. In every lesson you will:
Speak a lot
Learn vocabulary in meaningful contexts
Practise listening and pronunciation
Work with real-life materials (videos, audio, articles, presentations)
Get clear explanations and examples to help you remember the language
I create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere so you feel comfortable expressing yourself and taking risks in English.
If you want to improve your fluency, feel more confident in professional situations, or prepare for an exam like IELTS, I’m here to help.
I look forward to meeting you in class!My teaching material
- PDF file
- Audio files
- Test templates and examples
- Text Documents
- Image files
- Articles and news
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Video files
- Quizzes
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
Teaching IELTS Preparation - Premier TEFL - 202130 Hour Teaching IELTS Exam Preparation Course
Certificate verified
Teaching IELTS preparation course - Premier TEFL - 2021How to prepare students to pass the IELTS Exams
Certificate verified
TEFL 160 hour - Full Circle - 2020Teaching English as a foreign language certificate
Certificate verified
Work experience - International companies - 2000I have 11 years working in the corporate world in the R&D area for chemistry. During this time I was responsible for project planning, budget, staff recruitment, collaborative work with academic and business partners, presenting information at international conferences, and publishing scientific papers and applications for multiple patents.
I worked in tourism, with specific experience of two startups and managing a multinational company for 6 years.
4 years of teaching business online
Certificate verified
Teaching experience
2022 - 2024
EducatorTeaching language learning in both an online and in-person environment.
With 15 years of experience teaching a different subject, I have been able to adapt my style to specialising in English as a subject. Having many years in a corporate environment, I can teach both general and business English and am also trained in IELTS preparation.
I specialise in teaching pre-intermediate to advanced student to improve their overall language level.
2001 - 2016
Sports InstructorI have worked as a sports instructor for 15 years teaching all levels of students the theory and practical aspects. I taught beginners, new to the sport up to Instructors, so they were able to teach in the profession.
Education
1998 - 2001
Bachelor’s - Chemistry1st Class Hons degree in Chemistry
Work Experience
2020 - 2023
Freelance English TeacherWorking as an online teacher for English
2017 - 2020
Reservations ManagerCustomer Service Manager for a start-up company developing web site content, social media and systems for the company.
Development of a new website for content, functionality and SEO.
Development of a customer service system with macros and systems used within Zendesk.
Establishing B2B contracts with service providers.
Co-ordination with the team for content and updating of the website.
Writing of Blogs and newsletters.
Updating all content on the website.
Customer service from initial web visit
2015 - 2017
European Team LeaderTeam Leader for the Europe region taking reservations for 300 different liveaboard trips. Managing the team in the EU area to ensure all aspects of the work are completed.
The positions involves email enquiries, phone calls and live chat with both guests and operators.
Training of new staff including writing of the training manual.
Taking payment, collecting details and assessing reviews and following up.
Dealing with and issues, cancellations or changes or itinerary.
A ticket system is used to
2011 - 2015
Customer Service ManagerThe Last year was focused on re-witing the website content and increasing the SEO to improve search position. Writing blogs and being active on social media to promote buisness.
Management of day to day running of the operation. Sales and marketing for 2 shops based in Patong, web site updates, social media, co-ordination with tour operators and hotels for guest services. Organizing the daytrip and liveaboard schedules, allocation of staff for courses and guiding.
Updating of social media sites,
2001 - 2011
Dive center manager and instructorWorking as a dive instructor, cruise director, sales and marketing and dive center manager in many locations world wide.
Work area's include, Dutch Antilles, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey and Zanzibar among others.
Run day trip and liveaboards for 4 - 7 nights. PADI Master Instructor, cruise director and gas blender.
1998 - 2001
Senior ChemistResponsible for blue sky research of flavour delivery systems for products both tobacco and non tobacco.
Running a small team to develop microencasulation products suitable for use in packaging, filters, papers and tobacco rods. This was to achieve on the spot delivery of a fragrance or aroma at the point required without any degradation of the product during storage or transport.
Developing new agglomeration technology to recon products.
Use of supercritical fluid extraction for the reductio
5.0
Rating
159
Students
1,851
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
English Lessons
Trial Lesson
82 lessons completed
USD 9.00+
English conversation
A2 - C2Conversation430 lessons completed
USD 19.00+
Package with 12% off
Listening, vocabulary and pronunciation general or business focus
A2 - C1Language Essentials902 lessons completed
USD 21.00+
Package with 7% off
General English
A1 - B2Language Essentials211 lessons completed
USD 21.00+
Package with 7% off
Alumni - pre 2025 students
B1 - C2Language Essentials205 lessons completed
USD 23.00+
Package with 8% off
IELTS Exam prep
B1 - C2Test Preparation4 lessons completed
USD 26.00+
Package with 6% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
72 Reviews
SpeckUlrike
81 English lessons
Debbie is a brilliant teacher
Aug 13, 2025
Carry
11 English lessons
Good lesson for grammar and reading.It's great for me to learn English.
Nov 2, 2024
SpeckUlrike
81 English lessons
Debbie is a great teacher, the best I’ve ever had
Thanks Debbie
Mar 28, 2024
SpeckUlrike
81 English lessons
She’s brilliant
May 28, 2025
Elena Pav
31 English lessons
Debbi is the best teacher! The lessons are always exciting and effective!
May 30, 2024
SpeckUlrike
81 English lessons
Debbie is a great and wonderful teacher
Dec 13, 2023
Trial Lesson
USD 9.00
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