1st lesson free
Darko
- Rate R400
- Response 1h
R400/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- ESL
- Business English
- TOEFL
Level 5 TEFL certified, MBA graduate, 20+ years as Senior Level Corporate leader (Fortune 100 #2 position). Casual or business lessons are encouraged but available for anything.
- ESL
- Business English
- TOEFL
Lesson location
About Darko
Hi, I'm Darko — welcome! I taught English to adult learners at the British School of Naples, Italy, where I built lesson plans and tracked students' progress toward their goals. Before that (and since), I spent 20+ years in operations and staff development, training and mentoring hundreds of employees into new roles — work recognized among the top training programs in the country.
I hold an MBA and a Bachelor's degree, but what I care most about is helping you make real progress, one clear step at a time. Having lived abroad myself, I know what it's like to learn in a new language and culture, and I try to make that journey feel supportive, not stressful.
Looking forward to working with you!
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About the lesson
- Primary
- Secondary
- Matric/GCSE
- +18
levels :
Primary
Secondary
Matric/GCSE
AS Level
A Level
BTech
Adult education
Masters
Doctorate
MBA
A1
A2
B1
B2
C1
C2
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Professional
Kids
- English
Languages in which the lesson is available :
English
My teaching method and techniques
I combine two backgrounds: teaching English to adult learners at the British School of Naples (2012–2014), and 20+ years training and mentoring staff in corporate roles, where I helped 200+ employees advance into supervisory roles. I use a communicative, goals-based method — introduce a skill, practice it, then apply it in a realistic scenario, and check progress against a clear benchmark before moving on. Every lesson ties back to practical, real-world use.
A typical lesson plan
1. Quick review/warm-up tied to the previous lesson's benchmark
2. Introduction of a new language function or skill, with clear objectives
3. Guided practice — structured exercises with correction and feedback
4. Applied/communicative practice — using the new material in a realistic scenario (conversation, writing task, or role-play relevant to the learner's goals)
5. Assessment against the lesson's benchmark and a short progress note for the next session
What sets me apart as a tutor
• Real evaluation experience: I didn't just teach — I assessed student progress against proficiency benchmarks, so I know how to track and document learning outcomes, not just deliver content.
• Adult-learner and professional-context fluency: My non-teaching career is entirely adult-facing — HR, operations, client consulting, coaching — so I understand how adults learn best (goal-oriented, respectful of their time, tied to practical outcomes).
• Cross-cultural experience: I taught in Italy as a foreign resident myself, giving me firsthand insight into what it feels like to learn a language in an unfamiliar culture.
• Business/professional fluency: With an MBA and a long corporate career, I can tailor lessons toward business English, workplace communication, and professional development — not just general conversation.
• Reliability and self-direction: I've run a self-managed freelance business since 2015, so I'm comfortable with independent, remote, schedule-flexible work and consistent follow-through.
Who the lessons are for
Best fit: adult learners — particularly:
• Adult English-language learners (beginner–advanced), building on my direct ESL teaching experience
• Professionals needing business or workplace English (meetings, emails, client communication) — drawing on my corporate/HR/consulting background
• Adults preparing for career transitions or professional certifications where coaching, structured feedback, and benchmark-based progress tracking matter
• Learners who want a flexible, remote-friendly tutor able to work around varied schedules
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Rates
Rate
- R400
Package rates
- 5h: R2000
- 10h: R4000
free lesson
The free first lesson with Darko allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.
- 1h
online
- R400/h
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