Private or group lessons in Houston, TX!
Skype lessons available worldwide!

Want to improve your English? You’re in the right place!

I am passionate about culture and language. Learning a new language and culture can be one of the most challenging things a person can do. It can be frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming. However, the rewards are great. Language success can mean twice as many opportunities for communication, friendship, success, business, education, etc. My passion is helping you get there without pulling too much hair out in the process.

Who: I teach high school students and adults at all levels from beginner to advanced

What: Conversation. Grammar. Speaking. Listening. Pronunciation. Vocabulary. TOEFL prep. Writing. Culture. SAT/ACT Prep.

How: What do you need to work on most? I customize my lessons to each student’s needs in order to provide the best environment for success. Together we can form a plan of what should be done.

When: Any time! You can choose when and how often you’d like to arrange lessons. We’ll pick a time and length that’s good for you. Generally, lessons are 1-2 hours per day, 2 or 3 days per week; however, I am willing to arrange what’s best for you.

Where: We will meet in a public place that is comfortable and convenient for you. I teach in most areas of Houston including Inner Loop, Spring, Katy, West Houston, Bellaire, several others… If you’re unsure about your location, just ask!

How Much:
Private one-on-one lessons: $35-45 per hour
Small group (2 students): $20 per person per hour
Small group (3+ students): $10 per person per hour
*Skype lessons: $10 for 20 minutes [conversation only]

some discounts may be available

Contact:
Lauren
toefltexas@gmail.com

Meet Our Teachers!

LAUREN

My name is Lauren. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in International Studies, a minor in Russian language, and a TESL/TESOL/TEFL certification (ESL certification).

I spent several years teaching conversational English and culture to international graduate students at Texas A&M with the volunteer organization iHouse (International House). Later I taught group lessons in grammar, conversation, and speaking with a local language school. I worked as a Program Manager at the Korean-owned SAT Solutions Test Prep Center for a year, helping organize and build programs that would help high-school students improve their English as well as their performance on standardized college-entrance exams. I also taught for 2 years as the high-school reading teacher there, where many of my students had recently immigrated from Korea and sought to improve their English.

I have traveled to over 40 foreign countries exploring culture and language. I spent time studying in St. Petersburg, Russia and teaching in Tainan and Hsinchu, Taiwan. My travels help me better understand the culture and background of my students. I love learning about my students’ cultures, just as much as I love sharing my own with them. I have taught students from all over the globe – from countries including: China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, India, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nigeria, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Spain, France, Switzerland, and many others.

I teach English in both casual and professional settings. I have worked both directly and indirectly with a number of companies and their employees like Schlumberger, ExxonMobile, Koras, SK, Tadono, GE, Marathon Oil, and many others including several various international consulates.

I am a native English speaker, and I am conversationally proficient in Russian and somewhat proficient in Spanish. My travels and study of other languages have given me a more rounded grasp of the English language and a deeper understanding of the challenges of learning a new language and culture.

GERI

Geri graduated from Rice University as a Moody Foundation Scholar. Her reading and literacy test scores placed her in the top 2 percent of the nation. She also attended Rice’s Publishing Program for intensive training in publishing. She completed a graphic design program at the Art Institute of Houston, and later received a Beck Scholarship while studying at the Glassell School of Art.

Over the years, Geri has traveled extensively and spent time living in Colombia, Cyprus, and other countries. She has been teaching ESL in the Houston area since 1980. She has taught a variety of subjects including speaking, reading, writing, and accent reduction to students of all levels and ages. She brings a patient, friendly, and culturally-appropriate approach to teaching, encouraging individuals to reach English language fluency. Her personal experience in private, academic and corporate settings, along with her world travel, allow her to provide quality language instruction while understanding the needs of her students.

Geri also has experience in graphic design, as well as in editing, and marketing coordination. In addition, she has taught art classes and creativity workshops for adults and children at museums, schools and in private lessons in Houston. Her in-depth background in the arts enables her to add creative and engaging programming to her teaching style. She does a great job customizing her lessons to each student’s individual needs. Her background in editing contributes to her skill in teaching topics like grammar and writing.

In her free time, Geri loves to paint and draw, read and play with her two mischievous kitties. She also loves living around the corner from an art museum!