Dimitra Efstathiou

I have been actively working as a certified English language teacher of all levels (Pre-A1 - C2) and preparing students for widely renowned English language certificate exams. In parallel, I have been investing in further professional development through diplomas, seminars and workshops in order to add to my skillset and hone the already acquired ones. I have been affiliated with the Career Mentoring programme run by the University of Westminster since 2022 aimed at guiding graduates to figuring out their next steps in the workplace ensuring their academic background and their interests are perfectly aligned. In 2023, I started running my own business - a private English language center - in my hometown. My employment at MSU (Michigan State University) as a Written Exam Assistant & Speaking Examiner in the English language exams they conduct worldwide has been my most recent achievement.

My teaching experience so far has proven that there is a dire need of building a skillset beyond language learning and this has always been the reason for my trying to learn more in the fields of psychology and neuroscience. I feel and see that the younger generations are gradually being shaped in a virtual world instead of the real one leading to multiple downsides such as isolation, mental health disorders, lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, technological addiction and many more. All these are the reasons for which I decided to start my own business with the goal of operating on a different level. Through English language teaching, I am given the power and opportunity to bring up, share and analyze significant to society and personal well-being matters enhancing reflection, the development of critical thinking and active communication. I believe in the untapped potential of every student I come across and wish to explore it with them. Through a carefully structured syllabus, I integrate activities which not only do they aim at developing their linguistic skills but also their personality. To be more specific, all levels have been introduced to emotional intelligence activities since day 1. Additionally, I value career guidance as an immensely important part of education and I have reviewed the syllabus in order to incorporate it in ages of 12-18. I consider emotional regulation and career awareness critical to any person's development, so, familiarising students with them from an early age can be life-changing.