The Teachers

Our teaching style

Our style of teaching in Australia may be different from what you are used to in your country. Ability Education teaches English using modern methods, based on current language learning research. Our teachers conduct classes in a friendly and supportive manner.
Recent research shows clearly that students learn English best in an atmosphere of friendly ease. Our dedicated, skilled and caring teachers provide a balance of work and fun in ways that encourage students to want to get involved in their lessons, boosting the rate at which they learn.

Our teachers are mainly from Australia but they also come from other English speaking countries including the USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand.
Students will likely have different teachers for some different sections of a course, minimising dependence on any one instructor, while ensuring students experience a range of personalities, accents and sources of inspiration. For example, students have one teacher for lesson 1 and 2 and a different teacher in lesson 3. As students go up a level, their teachers again change.

To find out more about our teachers please select the names below:

Ruby Biscuit

Teaching position: Director of Studies
Qualifications: Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of NSW, Cambridge CELTA
Teaching Experience: 7 years
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “The best thing about my job is helping you have a rich and problem-free experience. I also really love supporting our high quality teachers, so they can deliver to you the best classes in Sydney.”
Student Comment: “On my first day I found Ruby’s orientation very useful. She very helpful and always has time for the students. She always wears a smile.” Jorge Palma, Chile

Alex Parker

Teaching position: IELTS Co-Ordinator
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Languages, Dip. TEFLA, Cambridge CELTA A Pass
Teaching Experience: 7 years, France, UK & Australia
Nationality: English
Philosophy: “Fun is the key to learning”
Student Comment: “Alex is the best teacher I’ve ever had for anything. She advised me on my future life direction as well as improving my IELTS skills.” Ivan Delgado, Spain

Tom Pelik

Teaching position: Cambridge Exams Co-Ordinator
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (English Language Teaching)
Teaching Experience: 6 years, UK, Poland, USA & Australia
Nationality: English
Philosophy: “I use culture and context to immerse my students. It’s Important to put language in a cultural context, to learn language through culture and culture through language.”
Student Comments: “Tom is definitely the best English teacher that I’ve ever had and one of the best teachers I’ve ever had in my whole life.” Martin Satanek, Czech Republic

Juliana Machado Dutra

Teaching position: Upper Intermediate Co-Ordinator, General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws Cambridge CELTA
Teaching Experience: 14 years, Brazil, New Zealand & Australia
Nationality: Brazilian
Philosophy: “A good teacher is a facilitator who motivates students and makes the learning process easier by making classes fun, creative and lively.”
Student Comments: “I liked all of my teachers at Ability, particularly Juliana because she paid a lot of attention to me and built up my confidence. I never felt afraid of her and I could ask her all my questions. This school’s classes are funny and never boring.” Masatoshi Ohashi, Japan

Clare Hattersley

Teaching position: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Co-Ordinator
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), Grad. Dip. Education (TESOL)
Teaching Experience: 6 years , UK & Australia
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “Learning should be fun and relevant to student’s needs.”
Student Comments: “She is the perfect teacher: She knows exactly what you need before you do.” Jerco Bacic, Brazil

Justin Lepani

Teaching position: Lower Intermediate Co-Ordinator, General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Politics), Cambridge CELTA
Teaching Experience: 4 years, Germany & Australia
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “I like to conduct a class with a positive atmosphere so the students feel comfortable to speak and contribute to class.”
Student Comments: “I learned a lot from Justin. He uses different styles. He’s always making us laugh so the class is never boring. My listening improved a lot because he spoke at a natural speed. He was really good at explaining grammar.” Bruno Sales, Brazil

Magda Sornat

Teaching position: Elementary Co-Ordinator, General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) TEFL, Cambridge CELTA
Teaching Experience: 4 years, Poland, UK & Australia
Nationality: English
Philosophy: “Hard work mixed with patience and persistence, sprinkled with a lot of fun and laughter, makes for a yummy success!”
Student Comments: “Magda is kind and cute. She is a very good teacher. I can understand her.” Ayako Ota, Japan

Jordan Moseley

Teaching position: Intermediate Co-Ordinator, General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Economics, Cambridge CELTA B PAss
Teaching Experience: 4 years, China, Thailand & Australia
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “I believe in creating a dynamic and enjoyable environment to allow students to utilize their English skills.”
Student Comments: “Jordan knows a lot. He teaches us about expressions, speaking style and cultural things. He is enthusiastic.” Zekeriya Polat, Turkey

Pat Yucel

Teaching position: IELTS and General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Arts History & Criticism), Grad Dip Education, Cambridge CELTA B Pass
Teaching Experience: 7 years, Japan & Australia
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “I like to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where students feel that they can be themselves.”
Student Comments: “All my teachers here are better than my teachers back home. I loved Pat because she was really very friendly and I didn’t want to go up to the next level because I wouldn’t be in her class anymore.” Shin Woo Jin, Korea

Richard Jones

Teaching position: General English
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Economics & Political Science), Cambridge CELTA
Teaching Experience: 4 years, Taiwan & Australia
Nationality: Australian
Philosophy: “I like the class atmosphere to be fun, dynamic, interesting and friendly with the students doing most of the talking.”
Student Comments: “I like Richard because he gets very enthusiastic and gets students to participate.” Ben Kovacs, Hungary

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