January 31, 2020

Introducing English Education Lab

We are Karolina and Brian Knight, English Education Lab’s creators/husband and wife team!

Karolina’s Story

I have been teaching English to both children and adults for over 28 years in various countries and organizations. My love and passion for the English language has been a constant in my life and has over the years developed into a deep interest to help as many language learners reach their learning goals as possible. As an ambassador’s child, I had the privilege and joy of visiting and living in a number of incredible countries and living the life of a nomad! Being born in Switzerland and moving to Canada at the age of 3, English quickly became my native language. My parents, realizing that English would not only be an asset, but a necessity growing up in various countries, chose to enrol me in American International schools through my school education. I have rich and beautiful memories of growing up in South Africa, Greece and as a young adult moving to Germany and then later The Netherlands. Over the course of these years, my love of the English language only grew and deepened, and at a very young age I embarked on the path that would eventually lead me to where I am today: a teacher who truly loves what she does.

As a teenager, I first fell in love with the language through poetry and literature, immersing myself in the beauty of words that I felt could almost magically create new worlds and capture feelings. This led me to my own experimentations with poetry and writing which to this very day are things I enjoy dearly and are very important to me. I was fascinated at how language allowed people to communicate with one another, brought people closer together and managed to bridge incredible gaps. As time went by and I began moving from country to country I also very quickly understood how valuable English was as a language and as a tool. Being the only common language everyone spoke in many of the countries I visited, I realized just how incredibly important it was to have a grasp on the language if I wanted to truly communicate with and understand others. Fast forward twenty years and this is more vital than ever before. In a world led by globalization and one where the international language of commerce is English, having the ability to speak English is truly no longer an asset but rather a necessity.

As a young adult in Germany, I came to the realization that I wanted to turn my passion for the English language into a career. From that moment on, I invested my time and energy into attaining my goal of becoming an English teacher. I took my first step by gaining my CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) which then led me to my first teaching positions at language schools in Berlin. Over the years I taught both General and Business English in various companies including Wall Street School of English, Ebay Germany, Jaguar and Thyssenkrupp among others. I soon followed my certificate with an Advanced Diploma in Applied Linguistics and eventually a Masters in Applied Linguistics, solidifying and expanding my knowledge on the foundations of the English language, how it developed over the years and how we can as teachers successfully help others learn the language. I continue to further educate myself at every opportunity, most recently completing the “Foundations of Virtual Instruction” course through the University of California. I realize that the face of education is rapidly changing and moving ever more towards online learning; more accessible and flexible learning. It is a trend that I believe will continue to develop over time, which is why I chose to create English Education Lab online and which is also the reason I continue to seek out opportunities to learn as much as possible on current trends on virtual instruction.

Finally, I find myself after many years back in Greece realizing my long-term dream of starting my own business where I can share with others my knowledge of and passion for the English language. Nothing brings me more joy and fulfilment than helping others attain their language learning goals and supporting them through the often challenging but always exciting path of learning a new language. I always strive to make each students’ learning experience a unique one; one filled with support, patience and encouragement. I have had the fortune of working with truly wonderful individuals who have inspired me and continue to inspire me, and who remind me- though I never need reminding- just why I became an English teacher.

Brian’s Story

I’m an American expat living overseas with my beautiful Hellenic wife. I am a freelance writer, editor and proofreader for English Education Lab, an online ESL learning platform created by my wife and I. Apart from creating original teaching content for our fellow teachers, we also offer editing and writing services to fellow content creators and third parties on an independent basis.

I strive to be accommodating and professional in my chosen field, with a focus towards offering quality work first and foremost. I want my clients to feel that I’ve gone above and beyond their expectations for the final product.

Besides being English Education Lab’s editor, I’m also a proud father of four fur babies, all rescued just a stone’s-throw from our home; a dog and three cats. My wife and I dream of one day having a small spread somewhere out in the wilds of Greece, away from the rush and noise of the city. Only then will the missus allow me to have goats, donkeys, mules and horses – all rescued of course. Maybe even some chickens. I’m a country boy at heart with a country boy’s imagination!

We both warmly welcome you to English Education Lab!

Karolina & Brian

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