A 30 minute trial is usually structured as follows - 

10 mins - Speaking - You can tell me all about yourself! This will allow you to feel more comfortable, and for me to better understand your level of English. Discuss your job, family, hometown or whatever you like! You can describe your aims and how you would like me to support you.

10 mins - Listening - I will tell you all about me. You can then ask me some questions so I can gain a clearer understanding of your listening skills.

10 mins - Discussing the way forward. It's important that we work together here as every person is different. Do you prefer structured calls with material sent to you, or more relaxed sessions? I will describe my availability, how to book, and any specific methodologies used! You can ask any questions throughout. It's all about being relaxed and natural!

I can also give you details of my website and Telegram, which have some great resources, particularly for those focusing on Business English of interview practice.

Note that I generally use Teams or Google Meets.

Do you need to build your English-speaking confidence with a native speaker? 

Do you want to discuss interesting topics, have someone to correct your errors, and suggest relevant vocabulary that you'll actually use?

We can put together a plan/structure, or not! I have an immense catalogue of conversation topics ranging from more simple, to complex/advanced topics. These topics are continually updated, to include issues facing us in 2025 and beyond. You are, of course, more than welcome to bring your own topics to the table! We can also use articles, videos, and so on.

General Conversation & Confidence Building

I offer Business English and job interview preparation, with a strong focus on tech professionals—particularly software developers aiming to work for international companies. I’ve supported many people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and beyond, including those planning to move to western Europe and work for an international company, or those preparing for FAANG interviews at companies like Meta and Amazon.

As a former HR People Partner with the UK’s largest retailer, I bring extensive experience in interviewing, soft skills, and behavioural capability. I also stay up to date with trends in HR and recruitment.

We can focus on areas such as:

Business English topics from my eBooks (soft skills, behavioural themes)

- Workplace scenario discussion and practice, such as meetings, dealing with difficult situations, remote/hybrid collaboration, and cultural differences in the workplace

- Structuring interview answers using the STAR technique

- Discussing soft skills to build clarity and confidence

- Discussing current topics like DEI, company culture, employee experience, and emotional intelligence

- Analysing articles from Forbes, HBR, Medium, etc.

Get in touch if you’d like to build your confidence and workplace communication skills!

Business English & Behavioural Interview Prep for Tech Professionals

I was an HR People Partner with the UK's largest retailer for many years. I worked in fast-paced environments of up to 600 people, responsible for all aspects of the people function. I also worked in regional roles, delivering specific company-wide initiatives.

I have worked with tech professionals for many years in relation to behaviorual interview coaching, and keep myself up to date on modern HR topics such as HR tech, emotional intelligence, AI impact, and overall, the ever-changing world of HR!

You could be - 

- Interested in exploring HR as a career and you would like to build your confidence speaking in English
- Wanting to focus on HR-specific topics such as building capability, training and development, grievances, disciplinaries, employee relations and so on.
- Preparing for an interview for an HR role. We can run through common behavioural questions and devise example answers based on your experience using the STAR technique.

If any of the above apply to you, feel free to get in touch!

Human Resources (Recruitment, People Partners, HR Business Partners etc)

Are you a UX/UI Designer or Product Manager wanting to improve your confidence in discussing the discipline and your designs in English?

I completed the Google UX Course with Coursera in 2023. Subsequently, I continued working on personal projects to build a portfolio and I now occasionally get involved in freelance projects when I have time. I also love anything to do with deisgn in general, from Metro station directional signage design to supermarket signage! 

I'm proficient in Figma, Framer, and have some knowledge of Webflow.

Would you like to - 

- Discuss your designs, case studies, or portfolio?
- Discuss technical points around colour theory, typography, accessibility, or research?
- Confidently describe your design projects in English including your design process, decision making, iterations, mistakes, and learnings?
- Describe necessary behaviours for a UX/UI Designer?
- Discuss design trends and best practices?
- Prepare for both technical and behavioural interviews?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, feel free to get in touch!

UI/UX Designers, Product Managers

I provide proofreading services in the following areas - 

- CV/Resume and Cover Letters
- Essays & other academic texts
- UX copy, web content including larger bodies of text such as blog posts
- Any form of fiction on non-fiction writing

In terms of experience, I have been proofreading and editing a variety of texts for a number of years, including legals texts, dissertations, theses, medical research papers, blog posts, web content/UX copy, short stories, long-form business e-mails, and so on. I have personally worked in environments involving lengthy legal texts (in HR), UX copy, web design, and content writing.

I can provide simply grammatical correction, editing, and vocab suggestion, in addition to more complex proofreading including suggestions.

For more complex/lengthy pieces of text, please contact me.

Proofreading (including CVs, cover letters, academic writing, exam prep)

Do you an upcoming job interview for which you haven't had an opportunity to fully prepare? Perhaps, you have an interview in a few hours and you simply want to prepare yourself by 'reactiviting' your Business English?

This is ideal for the following - 

- Tech professionals such as developers and designers with an upcoming screening call with an external recruiter
- Those who have already prepared example stories for behavioural questions using the STAR technique

I can provide feedback and guidance on interview technique, structuring answers, and provide recommendations for more suitable vocabulary.

What I need from you - 

- If possible, please send me the job description, your CV and LinkedIn prior to the call to enable me to prepare myself.

I have my own interview scripts that I commonly use with tech professionals, although we can use your own if that is more suitable. Additionally, I can generate more technical questions with GPT using the job description.

Instant Interview - Screening Calls, Behavioural Interviews for Tech Professionals

120hr TEFL course including - 

Grammar course
Teaching Methodology
Teaching Large Classes
Telephone Teaching
Video Observation

I completed the Google UX Design course in 2023.

120hr TEFL course including
Grammar Course
Teaching Methodology
Video Observation
Teaching Large Classes
Telephone Teaching

I achieved an A grade in Business Studies at A-Level (in the UK, this is the stage of education before university). I then chose to enter the workplace and develop my career as the cost of university in the UK was out of my reach!

I achieved an E grade in German at A-Level. In the UK, this is the stage prior to university

For many years I was a HR Business Partner with Tesco, a large retailer in the UK. Much of my role entailed the same attributes necessary as a teacher, including listening, supporting, motivating and coaching others in an empathetic manner. My role also had an emphasis on management interviews, coaching & development, recruitment, building capability and more!

I ran a Youtube channel called Tao of David, as well as a website and blog relating to travel, becoming a Digital Nomad and teaching online. I have also written ebooks and consulted new teachers.

Since 2016, I have been travelling full-time. I have lived in countries such as Mexico, Serbia, Belarus, Japan, and Colombia for extended periods. I became a Polish citizen by descent in 2022, and plan to spend some of the future based in the EU, now that I'm an EU citizen once again!

In addition to teaching on Italki, I also offer (mainly) Business English lessons via my website to students who I source from social media, my YouTube channel and by approaching Russian companies who express an interest in me supporting their employees.

I have been teaching on Italki since 2017. It's a great platform which has allowed me to get to know so many people from around the world, and learn about new cultures. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy being part of students' progression. Most of my students on Italki are Business English focused and reside in Russian-speaking countries, although I have had students from all over the world!

I am currently working on freelance no-code web design projects using Figma and Framer, for small businesses and those requiring personal websites. If you are UX Designer and want to improve your Business English, we could be a good match! (I'm an ex-HR Manager too!)

history

tech

travel

writing

finance

I completed the Google UX Design course. I am now a freelance UX/UI Designer and no-code Web Designer alongside teaching English. Many of my students are specifically UX/UI Designers also who are focusing on job interview prep in international environments. My technical knowledge allows me to help them achieve their goals. I also have my portfolio link you can look at - https://davidostrowski.framer.website/

I worked for a large retailer in the UK for 18 years from 1998-2016 in various roles such as HR Business Partner. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barkham/

I have been teaching Business English and Interview Preparation for 8 years on both Italki and my private website with positive reviews.

I am also a freelance UX/UI Designer and no-code Web Designer - many of my students are also in these roles (as well as developers) 

https://davidostrowski.net/

I initially began teaching English to adults on Italki in general and business senses, before moving on to more of a business and job interview preparation focus as a result of my past career in HR. In 2020, I set up my own website as I wanted the opportunity to write supporting blog posts and so on. I studied UX/UI Design in 2023 and I'm currently working on portfolio projects. In addition to HR and Software Development (I mainly work with Russian IT guys), I love discussing UX and Design!