giselle banks english

It's your time.
Release your fears.
Share your ideas.
Inspire the world.

It's your time. Release your fears. Share your ideas. Inspire the world.

about image
Hi I'm Giselle!

I'm a qualified English teacher and I'm here to help you to embark on a new phase in your life where you will find or rediscover your unique voice in English.

Maybe you studied English at school but haven't really used it much since.

Maybe you need to use it all of a sudden in your workplace or if you could speak more confidently it would improve your chances of promotion.

Maybe you are at home looking after your kids and have decided that now is the time to rekindle your English before you go back into the workforce.

Or you are about to launch your own business and have realised that improving your English would help spread your ideas to a wider audience.

Perhaps you're a teacher who realises that being able to express yourself more clearly in English could help you communicate with some of your students who can't yet speak your language fluently.

Or you just see everyone around you speaking in English and you want to gain confidence in yourself.

Whatever your motivation may be, I can help you communicate and express yourself in English so that you can use it however you need in your life in order to pursue and achieve your dreams.

Students who have worked with me have:

  • begun to communicate more clearly with native English speaking colleagues  
  • achieved above and beyond the results they needed in Cambridge, Euro and other language Exams
  • been able to confidently approach the job interview and get their dream job
  • shared their ideas and talents confidently with a wider audience 
  • applied and got jobs they wouldn't have previously had the confidence to go for

Don't let any past negative experiences at school or anywhere hold you back from improving your language skills and helping you achieve your goals.

I aim to create a relaxed, fun, supportive and safe atmosphere where every student is empowered to become a strong and confident English speaker and make their reach in the world limitless.

Ways you can work with me

7 day Fearlessly Fluent Challenge

In the challenge you will receive an introduction to all the topics that we focus on more deeply in the 1 on 1 classes. You will receive a short video, and worksheets and actions to do everyday for 7 days. A great way to wake up your English again!

 1 on 1 classes

  • We will look at mindset and how to start overcoming your blocks in speaking English.
  • You will learn to trust in yourself and your abilities
  • You will do lots of speaking so you will be empowered to express yourself and your ideas.
  • We will focus on pronunciation and intonation which means that you will avoid misunderstandings when communicating in different scenarios and so you can sound more relaxed when speaking
  • We will refresh your knowledge of essential grammar if need be (although it is popular these days to say that grammar is unnecessary, I strongly believe the basic foundation of grammar knowledge is essential for ease of understanding and clear communication)
  • You will practice commonly used phrases and vocabulary, so you can communicate your ideas effectively 
  • You will extend your vocabulary knowledge in your areas of interest/expertise
Other Ways
I also have an Instagram Page and send out a weekly newsletter where I share what comes to mind on a weekly and biweekly basis. If you want to receive my newsletter, send me an email and I will happily share it with you

gisellebanks@gisellebanksenglish

It's okay to do something for yourself, if improving your English will help you get where you want to go then don't hesitate! It's your time and you are worth it.

Click here to get started today! What are you waiting for?

Experience and Training

I am a CELTA trained and qualified, English teacher/tutor

I have university degrees in (Humanities and the Applied Sciences). I studied in Australia and Mexico, I have worked in government departments, private businesses and as a private Conservator-consultant in Australia so I am aware of the importance and challenges of English as a communication skill in different working environments.

  • I have worked with professionals from around the world in different industries, including marketing, IT, theatre, education, sports and retail.
  • I have successfully prepared professionals for job interviews in international companies. Getting these jobs has enabled them to double their salaries immediately.

I can't wait to meet you and I look forward to supporting you on your unique English journey.

 If you would like to chat and find out the best option for you to advance your English click here and book a free 30 minute free session.


A Bit More About Me... if you want to know!

Over the past five years I have helped a large number of English learners overcome their fears of communicating in English.

Like you, I love communicating in English and I love learning. Furthermore, I can also totally relate to the fear of communicating in a new language. My experience in navigating new languages and cultures has presented different challenges for me personally over the years but this has only enriched my capacity to support others who are learning and growing in confidence on their own language learning journeys.

Many years ago I moved to Mexico to study painting, naturally I had to learn Spanish. This knowledge of Spanish enabled me to follow my dream and pursue my studies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage at UNAM in Mexico City. Today I am living in Hungary and I am learning Hungarian.

I taught ESL to business professionals when I lived in Mexico and since moving to Hungary I have been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of English learners including children, teenagers, and adults. It has been an extremely rewarding experience watching my clients confidence grow and their communication skills develop enormously.

Apart from being an English Coach I am a qualified Objects Conservator with a passion for painting, art, archaeology and history. I love hiking in the forests of Hungary and exploring the beaches of Croatia. Walking and gazing at the streets of Budapest throughout the different seasons with my dog inspires me every day.

The ability to communicate with ease and clarity in a second language is a huge achievement, but really it is the ability to fully express oneself confidently and authentically that is truly amazing. The numerous opportunities that open up to you as a result are just an added bonus.

 I would also love to help you gain the confidence to communicate clearly and vibrantly  in English.



 I’ve had quite a few English teachers throughout my years of studying English, yet Giselle was truly someone who I’ll remember for the rest of my life. She always welcomed me with some home-made goods, let that be a cookie or a muffin. I know this sounds silly, but by doing so she created a much friendlier environment, in which I wasn’t afraid to voice my questions, or ask for further clarification. She not only taught me English. No, no! She did much more than that. She made me appreciate my language skills, and reassured me that I’m capable of taking the language exam. Apart from the practice sheets, I’ve received motivational cards, and personalised documents with valuable tactics for keeping my calm throughout the exam. I felt like she was just as much my friend cheering for me, as my teacher! Az évek során jópár angoltanárom volt, de Giselle az egyike azoknak, akikre míg élek emlékezni fogok! Amikor megérkeztem az órára mindig valamilyen házi finomsággal várt, legyen az egy süti vagy egy muffin. Tudom hogy ez kissé furán hangzik, de ezzel egy sokkal barátságosabb környezetet teremtett, amiben nem féltem kérdezni, vagy további magyarázatokat kérni. Giselle nem csak nyelvtudást adott. Nem, nem! Sokkal többet kaptam tőle annál. Megtanított értékelni a nyelvi képességeimet, és megerősített abban, hogy igenis le tudom rakni a nyelvvizsgát! A gyakorlófeladatokon kívül, motivációs kártyákat, illetve személyre szóló dokumentumokat kaptam tőle, amelyek hasznos tanácsokat tartalmaztak a vizsga előtti szorongás leküzdésére. Úgy éreztem ugyanannyira volt a barátom aki nagyon szurkolt nekem, mint a tanárom. 

Patrik Tuka, Cambridge C1 Exam Preparation
Patrik was able to increase his confidence and fulfil his dream of achieving outstanding results in his Cambridge C1 exam, in which he reached C2 level. Congratulations Patrik!
     

 Dear Giselle, I'd like to thank you for all the effort you put into my improvement. I really appreciate that. I hope we can work together in the future. And also wanted to thank you especially for the practice we did before I went to the interview. I bet it helped a lot to make it happen that I got the job. From Dani 

Kovács Dániel, Marketing Content Developer, Eaton
Dani has been so committed to his English learning journey and as a result he no longer held himself back from applying for jobs he would never have dared to apply for in the past. What happened? He got his dream job and doubled his salary. Such a life changing event Dani! Congratulations!
     

 I had Zoom classes with Giselle on a weekly basis for like a year. I approached her because I wanted to improve my English and try the advanced language exam (for the second time, after 10 years). I must say that she is a superb native English teacher, she was always sensitive to my needs whilst at the same time encouraged me and pushed me to my limits. She has a friendly approach to teaching and gets ideas across in a logical and easily digestible way, which has allowed me to make quick progress in my English. Best of all we had loads of fun. Not only is she a very good teacher, but she is also a really nice person. It’s been an absolute pleasure to learn with her. After all, I passed the C1 exam successfully. 😊 

Lilla Bánhidi, Euro Exam C1
Lilla was so passionate and committed to improving her English so that she could sit the C1 Euro Language Exam and she did it, with flying colours! Congratulations Lila!
     

Upgrade your English. Unleash your ideas. Transform the world.

ONE ON ONE ENGLISH COACHING

Private English coaching for you. Weekly classes (1-2 times) to motivate, inspire and transform your English communication skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. Look at mindset and help you overcome blocks you may have when speaking English. Receive personalised feedback and focus on your needs. Receive homework that will interest and benefit you. My vision is to create a safe space where you can practise speaking freely. Clear explanations of essential grammar. Pronunciation and intonation tips to help your fluency. Creative topics tailored to your needs. Homework tasks to reinforce what we shared in the class.

PROOFREADING

Are you publishing or submitting an important piece of writing in English? Do you have a website but are uncertain of the quality and readability of the English version? I can proofread it for you. I can check your document for style, word choice, tone, grammar and spelling. It can be anything from academic writing, museum/gallery copy, websites, marketing content online or brochures, menus, blog posts, business emails and any other piece of written communication in English. Please contact me if you require a quote on a text.

10 WEEK COURSE: Accelerate Your Communication in English

A course that is adapted to your individual needs. You will quickly increase your confidence in speaking in English by learning and using advanced grammar structures and expanding your vocabulary in a supportive and friendly environment. It includes 2 x 45 min class weekly where you will learn and practice real English in a positive environment. I provide and correct homework set especially designed for you to practice what we have covered in the classes.

21Aug

Spontaneous conversations and chance encounters. Are these merely relics of the past? Do you feel disconnected from others because the remote work life, with endless online meetings has changed the way you are able to connect? Chance meetings and unplanned interactions are becoming less and less common, especially at work. Even though we are slowly returning to office spaces, the confidence and ability of many to connect spontaneously is a challenge and the fear of having to speak with someone about an unknown topic paralyses them.

As we all know, the pandemic had a huge impact on the way we work and many of us still work remotely in the comfort (or discomfort) of our own homes. We work for international companies and have colleagues in all corners of the world. There are endless, planned online meetings and most interactions between colleagues, who are virtual strangers, are scheduled and highly structured. English isn’t the first language of everyone either and misunderstandings, miscommunications and impatience can sometimes erode the sense of well-being of some team members. There are less opportunities to experience those casual, sometimes uncomfortable meetings where we suddenly found ourselves in conversation with people with whom we wouldn’t usually converse. 

These brief conversations over a cup of tea or coffee, at someone’s desk or on the way out of the building were often the source of surprising and interesting moments, not always good necessarily but not always bad either. Sometimes they had unexpected and remarkable outcomes, ideas were borne, feelings were shared. But working online has diminished the opportunity to get to know our colleagues outside of the screen. Feelings of impatience or judgement subside when we have connected with another human being, in person. It is harder to be dismissive or intolerant when we are communicating face to face, where we are immediately accountable for our actions, our body language and our expressions.

 It would seem that this ability to connect face to face spontaneously with people is a skill that is not worth losing. If you do find spontaneous interactions stressful, take small steps, you could try these.

1. Turn up to your online meeting a little early and switch your camera on and say hello.

2.  If you are already present and someone says hello! Respond to them, don’t just sit there in silence. 

3. If you are in the office, look up from your phone or computer occasionally, make eye contact.

4. Leave your phone for a few minutes on your desk and ask a colleague  about their day. 

You will be surprised how a small number of spontaneous interactions can improve your day and your sense of connection. So, if you get the chance to have a momentary chat with one of your colleagues online or off, make the effort to do it, it’s not a waste of time and will help greatly to build understanding, tolerance and believe it or not, well-being and productivity in the long run. Incidentally you may also be surprised to find out just how much you actually have in common.

Giselle Banks 

21Aug

Inspiring and empowering women to communicate in English confidently and naturally so they can choose the future they want, advance their careers and earn what they deserve.

First Published September 20, 2021 by Giselle Banks


3 minute read

The stark reality is, that in this moment in time, especially in this global market, many businesses expect their team members and clients from diverse nationalities to communicate with each other hand with native speakers in English. Obviously, the native English speakers have an unfair advantage here in that, they don’t have to switch into another language in order to communicate their ideas, make an impact or be heard.  

'Post-Meeting Participation' 

A workplace trend, often discussed by my students is that, after a meeting in which there have been both native and non native speakers present, the non native speakers have a debrief meeting  in order to discuss what was covered in the meeting. It is in this safer space where the less confident can clarify, in a safe space, any misunderstandings or confusion without feeling self conscious or judged. Connections within the same group of colleagues are thus being made on 2 levels , between the native speakers and more confident of the non native speakers and between the non native speakers. 

Another way the more self conscious of the non-native speakers manage the pressure of meetings in English is via email. That is to say, they ask a question, clarify a point or share their input in a private e-mail directed to the convener of the meeting. In this way, they have the time to carefully compose their comments/ideas in written English. Both these solutions are good ways to manage the language barrier but in the long run will not take these highly qualified non-native English speaking professionals in the direction they could and should be heading in their careers.

The Courage to be Vulnerable

Confident communication in another language takes time and in many cases, forces you into situations where you are vulnerable, where you may not be able to express yourself with the same clarity that you would in your native tongue. Many of you who are reading this will have studied English since you were children, thus for you, it now comes with ease, and this may no longer apply to you. However, many of you have not. I am truly in awe of all of you. Learning a language is one thing, but conducting business and communicating appropriately in the different contexts presented to you on a daily basis: in meetings with colleagues, communication with clients, at the watercooler, at social/business events, is another. Unfortunately, you can’t directly translate what you want to say from your own language because it just doesn’t work. As we are all aware, speaking another language does not just involve the knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, you have to understand the culture, begin to think how they do in order to communicate in a way that you will be understood how you want to be. I have experienced this because I spent many years living and studying in Mexico. Prior to moving to Mexico I had studied Spanish as part of my University Degree. I knew the grammar, I could analyse complex literary texts and write in Spanish at a high level but it wasn’t until I moved to Mexico and lived the language for many years that I was also able to communicate the spoken word with clarity and without inhibition and with the confidence that I was actually being understood as 'me'. So, the pressure for people to learn and communicate in English on a daily basis in the workplace is a huge ask. However, many of you are now doing this whether you like it or not and whether you want to or not.

Commitment

For my part, I love teaching English as a foreign language. I love seeing the development in my students, their increased confidence  which leads them to being able to communicate freely and with ease. I love hearing their stories of having a greater impact at work. All this comes with a combination of consistent practice, determination, a willingness to make mistakes and the right mindset. If I can accompany you on your language learning journey, It would be my honour.