FAQs

Are you looking for someone to help you or your team communicate better in English, but you aren’t sure who to hire? Do you think you need a  teacher, or is a coach what you’re actually looking for?

Most people use these terms interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Hiring the wrong person won't just waste your money—it will waste your time and leave your team still struggling to be understood.

Let’s break down the differences so you can make an informed decision.

The Language Teacher: The "Omniscient" Source

We all grew up with this model in school. The teacher is the expert at the front of the room. Their job is knowledge transfer—they have the grammar rules in their head, and they want to put them into yours. They usually focus on textbooks and right vs. wrong answers.

The Problem: Many professionals expect their business English teacher to know everything about every industry. But the old way of thinking doesn't work in a global office. A teacher can tell you how to conjugate a verb, but they might not know how to help you adapt your style for different cultures and contexts.

The Tutor: The Supportive Hand

Think of a tutor as a band-aid or a support system. They usually don't lead the way; they follow. If you have a specific project, a speech to practice, or homework to finish, a tutor helps you get through it. They are great for short-term fixes, but they often lack the high-level training to help you change your long-term communication habits.

The Coach: Your Strategic Guide

This is where I sit. A coach doesn't see themselves as all-knowing. Instead, a coach is a guide who encourages meta-learning.

What does that mean? It means I don’t just give you the answers; I ask the probing questions that help you find the answers yourself. I’ve lived overseas for over a third of my life. I’ve learned the hard way how miscommunication hurts relationships and costs money. I use that experience to help you figure out what works best for you in this situation.

In coaching, there is rarely a single right way to say something. There is only the effective way.

Which one is right for you?

• If you need to learn basic grammar and pass a written test: Hire a teacher.
• If you need someone to check your emails for typos once a week: Hire a tutor.
• If you need to prevent costly misunderstandings, build trust with global clients, and finally feel confident in high-stakes English environments: You need a coach.

Stop looking for an omniscient teacher to save you. Start looking for a guide who understands the reality of the global workplace.

I don't understand. My English is C1 level. My grammar is pretty good. Why are my international clients still frustrated with me?

I hear this all the time. You’ve spent years studying English. You know the tenses, you have the vocabulary, and you can write a perfect email. But then you get into a meeting, and things go south. People react poorly to your suggestions, or you walk away from a conversation feeling like you and the other person were speaking two different languages—even though you were both speaking English.

Here is the hard truth: Language skill is not enough.

The Red Flag: The "Common Sense" Trap

The biggest red flag in global business is assuming that everyone thinks like you. We often mistake our own cultural habits for "common sense" or "professionalism."

For example, you might think being direct is being "efficient." But to a partner from a different culture, you might just sound rude. Or, you might think you’re being "polite" by being indirect, while your colleague in London is pulling their hair out because they have no idea what you actually want.

The Cost: Confusion vs. Offense

When you rely solely on English lessons, you’re focusing on the mechanics of the car. But intercultural training is about learning how to drive on different sides of the road.

• The Best Case Scenario: You’re just confused. Projects take twice as long because you’re constantly clarifying what was meant.
• The Worst Case Scenario: You cause genuine offense. You lose the contract, damage your reputation, and burn a bridge—all while using "perfect" grammar.

Become a Cultural Chameleon

Intercultural communication isn't about memorizing a list of do's and don'ts for every country. It’s about flexibility.

My goal isn't to change who you are; it’s to turn you into a cultural chameleon. I give you the tools to analyze a situation and adapt your style.

• Does this situation require you to be more direct and clear?
• Does it require you to slow down, use more softeners, and focus on the relationship first?

You are the one in the driver's seat. I just give you the map.

The Verdict: What do you actually need?

If you can’t put a sentence together, you need English lessons. But if people understand your words but don’t like your tone (or vice versa), you need intercultural communication training.

Don't just learn to speak. Learn to be heard.

Everyone is talking about AI. You’ve probably tried using ChatGPT or Gemini to write an email or fix your tone. Maybe you think you don’t need a communication coach anymore because a robot can do it for free.

Here’s what I've learned through my own trial and error: AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a magic wand. If you don't know how to use it, it will just help you make mistakes faster.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

In the world of AI, the output is only as good as the input. If you give a generic, lazy prompt, you’re going to get a generic, robotic response that helps nobody.

I tell my clients that prompting an AI is exactly like intercultural communication.  

• Be Clear: If you don't explain the situation, the audience, and the goal, the message will fail.
  
• Provide Context: Don't assume the other side knows what you mean.
  
• Anticipate Friction: Think about how the message could be misunderstood and fix it before you hit send.

The Robot vs. The Human

AI is great at the technical stuff. It’s excellent for generating session recordings or providing quick notes. But AI doesn't have humanity. It hasn't lived overseas for years. It doesn't know the gut feeling of a high-stakes negotiation or the subtle vibe in a room when a client is offended but staying quiet.

An AI can give you a script, but it can't teach you how to be a cultural chameleon—someone who knows when to use that script and when to throw it away.

How to Use AI Without Losing Your Soul

I’m not an AI hater. I use it in my coaching to provide AI notes from Gemini so you can focus on the conversation instead of scribbling.

The goal is to use AI as a support system, not a crutch.

1. Use it for the boring work: Summaries, grammar checks, or brainstorming.
2. Add your Authenticity: Never copy-paste. Most people can spot a fake AI email from a mile away.
3. Learn the Why: Don't just let AI fix your email. Ask it why it made those changes so you can learn for next time.

AI is a tool in your kit, just like grammar and vocabulary. But at the end of the day, business is done between humans. Don't let the robot be the only one doing the talking.