English with an examiner on your side
I help international students and professionals reach the English they need: a band score, a university place, a promotion, or simply the confidence to speak up.
I spent 17 years as a Cambridge Speaking Examiner for the British Council, so I know what examiners listen for. At the Polish Naval Academy, I tested military officers in the English exam used by NATO armed forces (STANAG 6001), so I know what officers need to pass. At the University of Glasgow, I taught five pre-sessional courses, the English courses students take before they start a UK degree. That means I know what UK lecturers expect from you in your first week. I have taught for 24 years, in Polish universities and now in a UK college.
My classes are small and friendly, and my feedback is honest. You will always know what to fix and how to fix it.
- Small groups or 1:1, online, wherever you are
- Cambridge examiner and military English examiner
- Member of The Tutors’ Association
- 25 years of teaching in universities and colleges
My classes
Who it is for: Police, traffic officers and event security staff who deal with foreign visitors.
What you learn: Clear, confident English for dealing with foreign visitors, from greeting people and giving directions to asking for information and checking that they understand.
Who it is for: Officers working with British, American and international colleagues.
What you learn: Give a briefing, write a clear report, speak under pressure, and use your own specialist words.
Who it is for: Anyone who learned English from a coursebook and finds understanding real people harder.
What you learn: The English people actually use at work, at university and in daily life, at real speed.
Who it is for: International students already at a British university who find lectures, reading and essays hard to follow.
What you learn: How to follow lectures, read academic texts faster, write in an academic style, and understand the words lecturers use that nobody explains.
Who it is for: International students who need a band score to study in the UK.
What you learn: How each paper is marked, which habits cost bands, and how to reach the score you need in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
About Monika
I have taught English for 24 years: to university students, future teachers, military officers and international students. Here is what each part of that work means for you.
University of Glasgow
For five years in a row, I taught pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow. These are the English courses international students take before they start a Master’s degree in the UK. I know what UK lecturers expect from you, and which skills students are missing when they arrive.
British Council and Cambridge exams
For 17 years, I was a Speaking Examiner for two Cambridge exams, B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE), and I taught exam courses for the British Council. I know the marking criteria, the mistakes that lose marks, and how to avoid them. I have also supervised many other international exams, including IELTS, so I know exam day from the inside.
Universities in Poland
For ten years, I taught at the University of Gdańsk, preparing future teachers and psychologists. At the same time, I taught at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Polish Naval Academy
For ten years, I taught military students and prepared them for their state English exam. I was also an examiner for STANAG 6001, the English exam used by NATO armed forces. This is where I learned to teach English for jobs where a misunderstanding has real consequences.
A UK college today
For the past three years, I have taught ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at a further education college in the UK. My students come from many countries and are building their lives here, so every week I see which parts of everyday British English cause the most trouble.
Testimonials
I had taken the academic module twice before and kept getting a 6.5 in Writing. It was incredibly frustrating because I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. Monika didn’t just give me templates; she showed me how to actually structure an argument that examiners look for. The feedback on my practice essays was brutal but exactly what I needed. I finally cleared a 7.0 last month!
Jiaqi
I used to get so nervous during the Speaking mock tests that I’d forget basic vocabulary. Monika taught me how to use ‘fillers’ naturally and how to extend my answers in Part 2 without sounding like a robot. The feedback was so specific- down to my intonation and pronunciation of specific sounds. I felt so prepared that the actual exam felt like a casual conversation.
Ali
I was stuck at a 6.5 in Writing for three attempts. I knew my English was good, but I didn’t understand what the examiners actually wanted. This class showed me that I was over-complicating my sentences and losing points on task response. If you’re tired of retaking the test, this is the class you need.
Chloe Li
Contact
Get in touch with me – I would love to hear from you!