Our Trainers

Francesca grew up in Cambridge where she attended school and participated in several theatre and drama groups. It was at this time that she began to develop a deeper understanding and passion for the English language. By the age of 18 she had worked her way through several Speech and Drama examinations and achieved her LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) Gold medal for Acting.

After completing A levels in Sociology, French and Performing Arts, she decided to take a year out in order to spend 6 months in France and to improve her French language skills. She undertook an intensive (25 hour a week) course in Toulouse, whilst working as an Au Pair. One of her responsibilities was to give the children English and drama lessons.

Prior to obtaining her TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, she also completed a degree in Communications and Media Bsc(hons) at Brunel University. Following her degree she worked in both recruitment (IT into investment banking) and Public Relations before deciding to go to Mexico where she obtained her teaching qualification and subsequently worked as an English language teacher.

Her experiences as a foreign language student in France and then as an English teacher in Mexico taught her the importance of submerging oneself in both the country and it's culture when learning a foreign language. She endeavours to replicate this in her teaching by instructing students in English etiquette and culture whilst teaching them language skills.

Francesca now lives in Muswell Hill in north London and teaches English as a foreign language, and elocution. As her own time is limited, she has also enlisted the help of some well qualified English language and elocution teachers. Smiths English has teachers based in north, south, east and west London, making it more accessible to students living in and around the capital.

Francesca also offers a proof reading service and a job seekers package, which includes:

• CV- creation/ improvement/ proof reading
• Covering letters- creation/ improvement/ proof reading
• Interviews- mock interviews/ advice and preparation

For those of you who have recently graduated, she also recommends joining 'Gradulicious'- an organisation that arranges dinner parties for graduates- a brilliant way to meet other graduates and practice your social skills.

Eleanor lives in Mile End, in east London, and has a degree in Drama from Bristol University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Acting from the Drama Studio in London. She completed a CELTA qualification whilst teaching in Bangkok.

Lindsey lives in Ealing, in West London, and is a graduate of York University (BA Hons in English and Political Philosophy) and has a post graduate diploma in Performing Arts. She worked as a professional Actress for some years and has subsequently moved into teaching. She currently teaches: drama, elocution, and speech and communication. She specialises in coaching students in presentation skills and confidence building.

Heidi lives in Cambridge and co-ordinates the Cambridge branch of Smiths English. She completed a TEFL course in Mexico where she lived and taught English for 2 and a half years. Heidi has a BA Hons degree in photography. It is her passion for photography that has led her into the path of so many different cultures.

Having visited over a dozen different countries in the last 4 years, Heidi knows all too well the difficulties that people face whilst living in a different country- particularly in terms of learning a new language and adapting to a new culture.

Having learnt Spanish to a fluent level over a short period of time herself, she recognises the importance of tailoring classes to individual needs, in order to achieve the quickest possible advancement.

Heidi is a very enthusiastic teacher who loves to see her students progress and gets a lot of satisfaction from the difference she knows it has on their lives.

Jessica Durant lives in Fulham, London and is a fully qualified TESOL teacher. While acquiring her TESOL training, Jessica found she had a natural interest, and talent, in phonology, which serves as the basis for the teaching of elocution.

Jessica also has a 2:1 degree in Politics and English from the University of East Anglia. While at University, Jessica was an active member of the UEA Debating Society, taking part in numerous debates and public speaking events. Through the Society, she also taught public speaking techniques and methods to other members of the student body.

Jessica gets on extremely well with her students and she feels that it is very important for them to be totally comfortable with her, particularly for elocution and public speaking lessons as the speed of progress often depends on the student’s willingness to play with the way in which they talk.

Jo is a trained actress, singer and CELTA-qualified English teacher, with a degree in Modern Languages from Cambridge University. With her background in music and singing, she has a particular interest in intonation and vocal expression.

Christopher lives in Denmark Hill, South East London and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music. He has been working as a professional actor/singer for the past couple of years. Previous to this he worked as Training and Development Officer for a leading UK wine retailer, specialising in soft skills training. Christopher is adept to teaching on a one to one level or working with large groups of students. He has completed a certified Train the Trainer Programme as well as courses in Coaching, Communication and People Management. Originally from South Africa he has lived in the UK for 11 years and has first hand knowledge of accent reduction.