English Language Instructor

I am an Ontario Certified English Language Instructor (OCELT) and Internationally Certified Teacher of English as an Additional Language (ICTEAL).

Photography by Kelsey Narayan.

I have over 6 years of experience teaching English as an additional language with both children and adults. I have worked with all ages of people, from babies, toddlers, kindergarten, elementary students, as well as teenagers, young adults, older adults and seniors.

I have worked internationally teaching English in both Finland and Mainland China. Here in Canada, I have taught adults in both the federally funded LINC program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) and the provincially funded ESL program (English as a Second Language).

I am now building a private teaching practice English With Shawna. I offer English lessons for individuals and small groups of two to four students. In my practice, I work to empower students in their English language journey while helping them to build their confidence. As a language educator, I frame mistakes as learning opportunities, and I encourage my students to embrace these opportunities in their journey. I prioritize creating an environment that is safe, inclusive, kind and respectful.

Please contact me at englishwithshawna@gmail.com for rates and schedule.

Photography by Kelsey Narayan

English With Shawna is now on Instagram.

Follow me for help and support making sense of English; vocabulary, grammar, context and confidence.

Conversation Classes

I host 4 online conversation classes weekly for intermediate and advanced learners.
Classes are hosted online via ZOOM and there is a 20 student maximum per class.

Each class costs $10 per student and can register through Event Brite.

Payments can be made to englishwithshawna@gmail.com

Tuesday Evening 7:00 – 8:30 PM	Wednesday Afternoon 1:00 – 2:30 PM	Thursday Evening 7:00 – 8:30 PM	Friday Afternoon 1:00 – 2:30 PM
February 10, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 11, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 12, 2026 ADVANCED	February 13, 2026 ADVANCED
February 17, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 18, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 19, 2026 ADVANCED	February 20, 2026 ADVANCED
February 24, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 25, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	February 26, 2026 ADVANCED	February 27, 2026 ADVANCED
March 3, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	March 4, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	March 5, 2026 ADVANCED	March 6, 2026 ADVANCED
March 10, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	March 11, 2026 INTERMEDIATE	March 12, 2026 ADVANCED	March 13, 2026 ADVANCED

Testimonials

I’m very grateful to have taken the 24030 English for Employment course with Shawna. This class really helped me improve my English skills, especially in speaking and listening. I learned how to write professional emails, update my resume, and prepare for interviews. We also practiced real-life communication that I can use in the workplace. The classroom was always a positive and respectful environment, and Shawna was very kind, patient, and always ready to help. I now feel more confident using English at work and in daily life. Thank you for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Hassan Hussein

I really enjoyed the English for Employment class with Shawna. The lessons helped me improve my speaking and listening skills, and I learned useful phrases for interviews, workplace communication, and daily conversations.

The class was very interactive and practical, which made learning easier and more enjoyable. I also feel more confident using English in professional settings and expressing my ideas clearly. This confidence will be very helpful for my future career opportunities in Canada.

Thank you Shawna for your support, patience, and for creating such a positive learning environment.

Best regards,
Antonio Becerril

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of being in Shawna’s ESL class, and I can honestly say she is one of the most supportive, patient, and inspiring teachers I’ve ever met. From the very first class, she created a warm and welcoming environment where I always felt comfortable practicing and making mistakes without any judgment.

Shawna has a wonderful way of explaining things clearly and adapting her lessons to meet the needs of every student. She makes learning English not only effective but also fun and engaging. I really appreciate how she encourages us to push ourselves while always celebrating our progress, no matter how small.

Her positivity, kindness, and genuine care for her students shine through in every lesson. Thanks to Shawna, I feel more confident in my English skills and much more motivated to keep learning. I’m so grateful for her dedication and highly recommend her class to anyone looking to improve their English in a supportive and uplifting environment.

Thank you,

Negar

Dear Shawna,

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in Class 24030. This course was exceptionally beneficial in helping me improve my professional skills and prepare for my career.

The speaking practice was incredibly helpful in boosting my confidence and clarity. I also greatly valued the new knowledge I gained, including vocabulary, interview techniques, and essential work environment tools. These skills have prepared me to a great extent for upcoming job interviews.

Furthermore, connecting with my classmates who are in similar situations was a truly valuable experience. The shared discussions provided a supportive environment and offered new perspectives that I will carry with me.

Thank you again for providing such a comprehensive and practical course.

Sincerely,

Juan Zelayandia

Taking this class was a very positive experience for me. At first, I was nervous, but the teacher created a welcoming and supportive environment. I learned not only grammar and vocabulary, but also how to use English in real-life situations. The group discussions and activities made learning enjoyable. I feel proud of my progress, and I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to improve their English in a friendly and effective way. Thank you.

Best regards

Kamria Kamal

I am truly grateful for the support of my teacher Shawna Lee , whose
patience, encouragement and expertise have made a lasting impact on
my learning journey. The classes are not only engaging and well-structured, but also full
of warmth and motivation. Thank you for your dedication . I have grown not only in my language skills but also in my confidence to express myself. I deeply appreciate your commitment and passion for teaching, which continues to inspire me to keep going on my next steps.

Truly appreciate it!

Lidice Lara Diaz

I have nothing but good things to say about Shawna’s teaching and her class. When I first started the course, I lacked confidence in my ability to communicate with others. After a few classes I noticed that I began to improve which restored my confidence.

Shawna’s classes were well prepared and structured. She herself was welcoming and engaging which made the class enjoyable. I also felt that Shawna didn’t pick favourites, she treated everyone with care and kindness. Overall, I had a pleasant experience and I feel like my English comprehension and speaking have become much better because of her class.

Hadeel Al Asmar

Thanks for your time, interest, and engagement in your work
I really appreciate it, and it was nice to meet other members in the group.
My new role as a “young” father takes time and energy, but I did my best and take from this course as much as I can.

Slava.

I highly recommend Ms. Shawna Lee, my teacher for “24030 English for Employment.” Her class made me much more confident. She taught me useful skills and vocabulary that helped me succeed. Thanks to her, I feel better prepared for my career. I strongly recommend her class to anyone who wants to improve their job prospects.

Sincerely,

Ahmed Abdalla

I would like to thank dear Shawna for the class we had. It was a great experience for me. I became familiar with different accents from people of various backgrounds, and I also learned about many topics that are very useful for living in Canada.

In addition, the discussion questions were especially helpful, as they encouraged us to speak more in English and practice understanding others during conversations.

Finally, I sincerely appreciate my teacher’s patience in answering all of our questions. I really appreciate her support and guidance.

Sincerely,

Somayeh

This class has been incredibly meaningful to me. I am usually shy in new environments, but here I felt welcomed from the very first day. Meeting new students and having the chance to participate without fear gave me so much more confidence in myself.

What truly touched me was the way you always encouraged us and shared opportunities beyond the classroom. I was able to join the Sister-to-Sister ALP program, something I would not have known about without your support. That gave me hope and reminded me that people believe in me and want to see me succeed.

This class wasn’t just an English class for me; it was a safe space where I felt seen, supported, and motivated. Thank you for making that possible.

Thank you for everything Shawna.

Anfredjina

Thank you so much for your support during the English class journey.

I learned so many new things from your class.

All the credit goes to you — without your support it wouldn’t have been possible.

-Kajol

My ESL class with Miss Shawna Lee in “Newcomer Women Services” in Toronto was an incredible experience that surpassed all my expectations. Miss Shawna Lee is not just a teacher; she is a passionate and supportive guide who creates a warm and welcoming classroom environment. She has a remarkable talent for explaining complex grammar and vocabulary in a way that is easy to understand. She remembers all of the student’s names at a time.

What I enjoyed most was how she made learning practical and fun. We didn’t just study from a book—we practiced real-life conversations, discussed Canadian culture, and learned to confidently use English in everyday situations, like shopping or taking public transit. My speaking and listening skills improved dramatically thanks to her patience and encouragement.

I am now much more confident using English in my daily life in Toronto. Thank you, Miss Shawna Lee, for your dedication and for making the learning journey so enjoyable. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to improve their English skills. Thanks.

Best Regards

Md Al Mahmud Khan

I am Joytirmoy Das, one of Shawna’s students in the 24029 General English class. I attended both the last semester and this semester, which started on July 3 and will end on August 28. I really enjoyed the classes with Shawna and did not miss a single session. Learning a second language is always challenging for me, but the teacher’s process and techniques made the lessons easier to understand and helped me improve my confidence.

As a newcomer, I need to improve my English for various courses, certifications, daily communication in everyday life, and also for survival jobs. This class has helped me greatly. The lessons were clear, interactive, and very practical. We practiced conversations on various topics, conducted brainstorming activities, and worked on dialogues in different situations with classmates in small groups.

I feel much more confident now, and I truly appreciate the patience and support from the teacher. Overall, this course has been a wonderful experience for me. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Joytirmoy Das

I really enjoyed being part of this class with you Shawna. As a newcomer to Canada, this course helped me a lot to improve my English and feel more confident in speaking and understanding. You were always patient, supportive, and kind, and you created a very friendly learning environment. I also appreciated the practical activities that I can use in my daily life. I am very thankful for this opportunity and for everything I learned in this class.

Thank you so much!

Best regards,

Azin Shafafi

Dear Shawna,

I have learned a lot from our English class. For example, I gained knowledge about Canadian Culture, entertainment, and building relationships with people, I also learned useful expressions for my daily life. Such as how express myself, and how to

communicate in situations in life, like visiting a hospital, staying in a hotel, eating in a restaurant. These lessons have been very helpful for me, not only in daily life but also for improving my studies.

Thank you so much Teacher for your

teaching skills.

Best Regards,

Murad.

As a newcomer I need to improve my English skill, that’s why I joined 24029 General English class from July 3 and which will end on August 28. The class was very helpful and enjoyable. I learned a lot, and everything was explained in a very easy-to-understand way. I really liked the teaching style, as it made learning fun and engaging. This class has truly improved my understanding and confidence. Thank you so much.

With Kind Regards,

Papia Taran

I am Mokbul Hossain, student of ESL class. Online class code is 24029. Last 2 months about ESL English class I am going to share of my personal opinion. I was very weak in learning and speaking in English. When I started my ESL class that moment I didn’t talk more with my friends. After few days I saw I had progressed and I can talk with my classmates and friends. Actually, it was very difficult for me. My teacher was very friendly and very kind. My teachers best level support and best of help made me skilled. I have completed my Master’s Degree from Bangladesh so I saw lot of teachers and already achieved lot. But my ESL teacher Shawna was so kind, helpful, friendly and teaching methods were totally different. Honestly, I said about my teacher Shawna, she’s so talented and her teaching methods was really so good.

Finally, I have been so skilled from ESL English class and already I got a job. In Canada it was my first interview and first job. The end of writing I will pray for my teacher because only for her help and her kindness, I already have a job. May God bless my teachers, love, long life and always healthy.

Thanking with best regards,

Mokbul Hossain

Dear Shawna,

I am very grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to be in this class. My English has improved a lot, and I feel more confident now. You were always kind, cooperative, and very understanding with the students. I truly appreciate your support, patience, and the way you always tried to help us.

Sincerely,

Hala Alhakim

Dear Shawna,

This is the second chapter of my ESL journey with Newcomer Women’s Services. I am grateful to have a teacher like you. You are very cordial, helpful, and friendly. Attending my ESL class has been a very rewarding experience. The lessons are well-structured and provide a balance between grammar, vocabulary, and real-life communication. I particularly enjoy the interactive activities, which allow me to practice speaking with confidence while learning from my classmates. The supportive atmosphere motivates me to participate actively, and I feel that my language skills are improving every week. Not only am I gaining knowledge, but I am also building friendships and cultural understanding. I believe that this lesson will help me at every step in Canada. It was a memorable journey for me, and I will always cherish the encouragement, kindness, and guidance I received. This experience has given me the confidence to continue learning and the inspiration to keep growing both personally and professionally.

Thanking you,

Bimolendu Chowdhury

Dear Shawna, I would like to thank you the wonderful summer semester I had. It was without a doubt one of the best language learning experiences I have ever had. A class full of happiness & stress-free. Thank you.

Regards,

Zara

Dear Shawna,

I want to sincerely thank you for all the effort you put into helping me learn English. I truly hope that in the future I will have another chance to continue this journey with you, as a kind and supportive teacher.

With warm regards,

Alireza

Hi Shawna.

I want to thank you for your understanding and patience. I can say that I am and have been lucky to have you as an English teacher. I have more confidence in myself.

Shawna, as a student, I wish I could continue my English classes with you. Shawna, thank you for everything I learned from you, for the moments I spent with my colleagues. I made friends, in the classroom, during this time. Slowly, we started to get to know each other, speaking in broken English, learn the lessons together, (sometimes, making jokes about our mistakes). But under your guidance, help and the corrections we received from you, we made ourselves understood and learn to speak correctly.

Now, in the end of session, I talk better with colleagues and we understood each other. Thank you for these 2 months of school that I will cherish forever.

With gratitude and respect,

Galina Ion

Dear Shawna

I would like to sincerely thank you for all your effort, patience, and kindness in helping me learn English during this time.

With appreciation and warm regards,
Your always grateful student,

Maryam

Thank you so much you are a great teacher, so kind and have very good teaching

skills. I also appreciate my classmates for their support and friendship. May Allah bless you always. Please keep in touch with us. I truly appreciate all your support.

Best regards,

Murad.

Dear Shawna,

Thank you for being such a wonderful English teacher. Your classes are always interesting and you explain everything so clearly. You encourage me to speak with confidence. Most importantly, you make learning English fun and enjoyable. I am very grateful for your patience, guidance, and support.

Sifat Jahan

As a student in this class, I can confidently say that it has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey. From day one, the engaging teaching style and the supportive classroom environment made me feel welcomed and motivated to participate. The instructor’s passion for the subject was infectious, and their ability to explain complex concepts in relatable terms really deepened my understanding.

The diverse range of topics we covered kept me intrigued and challenged, pushing me to think critically and creatively. Group discussions and collaborative projects not only enhanced my learning but also allowed me to connect with my classmates on a personal level, fostering a sense of community that I truly appreciated.

Moreover, the feedback I received on assignments was constructive and encouraging, guiding me to improve my skills while also boosting my confidence. The resources provided were invaluable, and I found myself exploring beyond the curriculum, driven by the curiosity sparked in class.

Overall, this class has not only equipped me with knowledge but also inspired me to pursue my interests with renewed passion. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to applying what I’ve learned in my future endeavors. Thank you for such an enriching and memorable semester.

Lukiya Bulage Nyomera

As a newcomer to Canada, I was worried about my English, but joining the ELS class with Shawna changed everything. The lessons improved my language and gave me confidence in daily life. Shawna is kind, patient, and truly cares about her students. I’m so grateful for her support.

Sincerely

Alireza Mansouri

I would like to share my sincere appreciation for the learning experience in the Summer vacation ESL course. As a newcomer to Toronto, I felt shy and worried about making mistakes. From the first day, you built a warm, inclusive class where everyone felt safe to speak. The ESL courses were clearly structured and always connected to real situations—introductions, appointments, talking to doctors, banking, pharmacy visits, transportation, and interview practice.

You explained grammar in simple steps, highlighted high-frequency phrases, and used role-plays and small-group activities so we could practice immediately. The personalized feedback you gave us, pronunciation tips, sentence patterns, and expressions close to life, helped us fix habits and speak more naturally. The results are real in my daily life. I learned to book an appointment, ask questions at my child’s school, pay for services, and introduce myself confidently in life and so on. I’ve also learned useful strategies, note-taking, paraphrasing, and polite expressions that make conversations smoother.

This class has improved not only our English, but also our confidence. I truly appreciate your patience, professionalism, and kindness. I will happily recommend this program to other newcomers who want practical, everyday English that really works.

Thank you so much for everything!

Sincerely,

Chen Chen

Dear Shawna,

When I arrived in Canada, I was very anxious about everything. I thought, “How do I connect with other people, and how do I find new friends?” But after I started class, and visited you and my classmates, I knew we could connect well together. Especially, you were very friendly and patient with us. I didn’t feel like a foreigner. Thanks a lot for everything.

Sincerely,
Maryam Tajvidi

My heart is filled with gratitude for having had the chance to learn from Shawna. Being in her class made me truly happy because she always gave her very best in so many thoughtful ways.

I deeply appreciate her sincerity in listening to all our questions and answering them with such care. She was always diligent, well-prepared, and seemed to know exactly what we needed.

It makes me so sad that we can no longer continue together, but my heartfelt thanks go to Shawna for everything she had done.

Bo Hee Kang

Dear Shawna,

I truly enjoy your ESL class and wanted to express my sincere appreciation for your teaching. You are a very dedicated and responsible teacher, and your patience with all the students—regardless of their English level—is remarkable.

What makes this class special is that we not only improve our English skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but we also learn so much about Canadian history, culture, and customs. This is something all newcomers greatly appreciate and find very helpful. The lessons are practical too, with clear grammar explanations and real-life scenarios that make the language easier to use.

Since joining your class, I’ve become more proactive and confident. I now feel comfortable initiating conversations in English with my classmates and others. It has brought me so much joy and motivation! If you offer any other regular courses in the future, I would be very interested in joining. Thank you for everything you do!

Warm regards,

Chen Huang.

Dear Shawna,

I wanted to say thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the class.

I have really enjoyed your class and appreciate the way you have structured the lessons to make complex topics more accessible. Your support and encouragement have been fantastic. Your teaching style is engaging, and you’ve made the material really interesting. I have learned a lot and feel more confident in my abilities. Your feedback has been super helpful. Teacher, I appreciate the time you’ve taken to support us. And it was such a great experience. Thank you Teacher for your support and encouragement.

Kind Regards

Aryana Das Priyam

I found this course to be a truly valuable and enriching experience. It was very well organized and had excellent topics that really reflect the day-to-day life in this city, especially for newcomers. Without a doubt, it provided great lessons and useful tools to adapt better to life here.

I would also like to highlight the teacher’s work. She always showed a positive attitude, a strong willingness to teach, great patience with her students, as well as punctuality and organization in every class. Her commitment and professionalism were always at the highest level.

Finally, I want to congratulate the program for offering this opportunity, which helps and supports the personal and academic growth of all participants.

Sincerely,

Ramon Herrera

Good morning Shawna,

You are the best teacher I have met here in Canada. I learned a lot of vocabulary and I met new friends. I learned about the history of Canada. I was enjoying this class. Thanks so much.

Belynda N.

Dear Shawna,

Thank you for your patience and dedication. It helped me improve my English speaking, comprehension, and vocabulary. It also helped me learn useful information about Canadian history and culture.

Best regards,

Taylan KARKAS

Dear Shawna,

I would like to sincerely thank you for your wonderful teaching in the 24024 course. You have been so patient with all of us, and I truly appreciate how kindly you guide students, even when we make mistakes or have mispronunciations.

I really enjoyed the way you chose a new topic every day. It helped me learn many new words and expressions. I especially loved the breakout rooms, where some students could discuss freely. This gave me the chance to practice more and gain confidence.

I feel sorry that I joined very late and could attend for just two weeks. Still, those two weeks were very valuable for me. I am very sorry that I cannot see you in person to thank you directly, but please know how grateful I am for your kindness, patience, and support.

With gratitude,

Maryam Sharifdoust

First of all, I want to say a massive thank you to the entire team for this program (ESL), thank you for everything I have learnt over the two months. You have empowered me with the lessons and confidence that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The course and the class were well organized, the course was not too long and the hours were friendly. The instructor was highly knowledgeable and had extensive experience to draw from. (During the classes we had enough interesting stories to help us to understand the content of the lessons). I have learnt many things regarding Canadian history and culture which will guide me in my daily life, especially in my professional life as well.

I also enjoyed the class because we were from different continents (Africa, Asia, South America and Canada), we had time to share experiences each other.

Again, I thank the organization team for your support. I wish you all the best.

Simon Migabo

This class has greatly increased my confidence in speaking. I have also improved my listening skills, especially with different accents, which makes communication much easier for me now. I no longer feel afraid of engaging in Canadian society. I am truly grateful to Shawna for her patience and kindness in answering all our questions. The topics we covered in class were very practical and valuable.

Best regards,

Sepideh

My name is Carol Martins, and the classes helped me so much in my journey as a newcomer in Canada. Simple things like going to the bank, the supermarket, buying food, or ordering a meal in a restaurant can be very hard when the main barrier is the language. When we immigrate, we need to learn again many simple things. Even taking the bus can be a big challenge.

With Shawna’s classes, I learned much more than only speaking and understanding English. She also taught us many small things that look simple but make a big difference in my daily life. She is truly amazing and a very kind human being.

Having the chance to take this course was very important for me at the beginning. From the first placement test until the classes, I always had support from people who tried to understand me even with my poor English. I am forever thankful and I will never forget the people who walked with me in this journey.

With gratitude, sincerely, thank you for everything,

Carol Martins