I Get It. I’ve Been on Both Sides
When you’re working hard to build a life in a new country, the last thing you want is to feel held back by language. I know this because I’ve spent years watching it happen – and I’ve lived it myself, trying to become proficient in African languages.
I’m Di, an English teacher based in Margate, South Africa. My path here was unconventional: I taught in schools, worked in the non-profit sector, and spent years running my own business growing fresh produce for restaurants. But I’ve been drawn back to teaching because that’s where real change happens.
Here’s what matters: I live in a town where many small business owners and professionals are Chinese immigrants who’ve moved here. I watch them work so hard and I admire their positive attitude. And I see where English gets in the way – not because they don’t know the language, but because they don’t feel confident using it.
Why I built SpeakWithDi
I built this for you because standard English teaching doesn’t work for working adults – especially when you are working long hours. Textbooks are boring. Grammar drills don’t build confidence. And you don’t need to pass an exam – you need to use English: to speak up in meetings, negotiate with customers, make friends, ask for what you need.
SpeakWithDi is built around real life. Warm, encouraging, creative lessons that meet you where you are – no pressure, no judgment, just practical English that actually works in your day.
When I was 19, I moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe and that took a lot of adjustment even though it was just moving to the ‘country next door’. I have spent 3 decades in South Africa, watched my children grow up here and now I am in the process of emigrating to a different country – this time overseas. I am currently experiencing all the ups and downs that this process brings – all the uncertainty, excitement and sadness at what I need to leave behind. I have built this site to be able to connect with others who have also moved to a different country. In my case, I didn’t have a language barrier when I moved. My heart goes out to those of you who have to deal with settling in a new country PLUS having to communicate on a daily basis in English as a second language.
You’ve already done the hard part – you moved, you’re building something. Speaking English with confidence is the next step. Let’s get there together.
My Teaching Approach
I use an approach called Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). In plain English: the goal of every lesson is to get you communicating. Grammar and vocabulary still matter — but they’re taught in context, inside real situations, not as isolated rules to memorize.
In practice that means lessons are built around things like:
Ordering food or coffee
Answering a customer’s question
Making a phone call
Asking for — or giving — directions
Handling a complaint politely
Applying for a job or being interviewed
Every lesson follows a clear structure (I present something, we practise it together, then you produce it on your own).
That’s why you’ll actually be able to use what you learn.
What You Can Expect From Me
Warmth
I’m patient. I won’t rush you. I won’t make you feel small for making mistakes — mistakes are the best teacher we have.
Preparation
Every lesson is planned around your needs – your level and the situations you actually face in your life.
Honesty
I’ll tell you what’s working and what isn’t.
Respect for your time
Support calls are made timeously and we stick to the agreed time frames. No fluff.
Credentials
TEFL Universal certified — 150-hour TEFL certification
CEFR-aligned assessment and lesson planning
CLT-trained — Communicative Language Teaching methodology
Bachelor of Social Science degree — University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Coaching Diploma
Ready to speak English with confidence?
Book a free Discovery Call with me. We’ll talk about your goals, your level, and what path makes sense for you – no pressure, no sales pitch.
