I’ve been at Good Hope Studies since November 2000. Before that I was a primary school teacher. I absolutely love my job and enjoy meeting and hosting students from all over the world. I’m a proud Capetonian, but have lived in Johannesburg for 5 years and Vancouver, Canada for 3 years. I am passionate about South Africa and especially love watching rugby and cricket. I have two adult children who are married, one lives in Cape Town and the other in London. Having a daughter in London has given me the perfect excuse for travel opportunities.

I have joined Good Hope Studies in 2001. Passionate about people and what makes them tick, about language and learning - and also about culture, I have been in the EFL industry for around twenty years and loved every minute of it….well almost! I’ve taught at most of the established schools in Cape Town, been involved in running CELTA courses and been in management, but the undoubted and undisputed highlight so far, for me, was teaching in London for two years. I am also passionate about Europe. I’ve been to every country in Western Europe at least once. Even Lichtenstein! And then there’s  Switzerland -  I think they’re ready to give me citizenship, I’ve been there so many times!  Art, architecture, culture and diversity- and of course the people. Unbeatable!!

I have been with Good Hope Studies since 2001 and still enjoy helping students achieve their goals. Meeting people, from different countries and cultures, is one of the perks of teaching English. When I am not teaching English, I enjoy hiking in the scenic mountains of Cape Town, or going for long walks on the beach. I am also an avid reader and love sitting down with a good book.

I joined the Good Hope family in 2004. What a privilege it is to meet so many incredible people from all over the world and to help them towards achieving their goals. Preparing students for an exam, discussing South African topics or taking the class to practise their English skills on a wine farm in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, makes my job very rewarding!

Hi there! Nice to meet you. Please call me Des.
I’ve been at Good Hope Studies since 2004 – which tells you a lot about how much I like working here.  As Academic Development Manager for GHS, I am part of a team which develops courses that integrate current language-learning methods, technology, and the South African context as well as materials that keep our students motivated to learn. I’m also dedicated to developing our teaching team and represent GHS at annual Eaquals Conferences where ideas and best practice in language teaching and learning are exchanged. After school, you'll find me cooking up a storm in my kitchen with a glass of Cape wine, listening to music or just the wind outside.

I have worked for Good Hope Studies since 2004. Having been bitten by the travel bug shortly after birth, I've made it my life's mission to find a cure. I have found temporary relief in India, Guatemala, Italy, Egypt, Argentina and a few other places. I've had sooo many amazing experiences on our planet and chatting to people from all over the world reminds me of our common humanity. With travelling comes living the sweet life...no, literally: tasting all the sweet things on offer...which means I usually have a bit of extra weight to check in at the airport!!

I hail from 'The City of Gold' but, like many Jo'burgers, have been mysteriously drawn to the Cape. Having studied English teaching with the aim of seeing the world, I soon discovered all the delightful things this city has to offer, and I haven't looked for another home since. I have taught for Good Hope Studies since 2007. The city is complex and surprising - made all the more so by the eclectic mix of cultures and personalities I get to meet and work with each day.

I’m originally from Kwazulu-Natal but now have the pleasure of calling Cape Town my home. I’ve been teaching English since 2006 and joined Good Hope Studies in 2013. I have a passion for travel and for experiencing different cultures and traditions. I’ve lived and worked abroad and I find teaching to be an extremely rewarding and enjoyable profession. I hope to help my students to attain their future goals - whether for work, studies or pleasure - and to have fun doing it!

I come from a family of teachers and travellers - and teaching EFL is almost like travelling without leaving the classroom! I have taught English at Good Hope Studies since 2016. I get to learn about other cultures and countries (my geography’s never been better), I get to observe stereotypes being broken and challenge fixed viewpoints. I’m continually amazed that no matter how different we may seem…we’re mostly all the same. There are lots of goodbyes in this job, but so many more salaams, olás, bonjours and hallos. Providing people with tools to freely express themselves in the world? That’s a job I’m proud of.

I have joined Good Hope Studies in 2016. What I love most about this job is the interaction with fascinating people from all over the world and having the pleasure of enabling learners to communicate effectively in English. Not only do I enjoy learning about their areas of expertise and their culture, but I also enjoy showing off all that beautiful Cape Town offers. Having had the good fortune of being able to travel extensively, I still think Cape Town is tops! We tend to have fun in class, even exam classes! It's rewarding to see students making significant progress and passing their exams. It's wonderful to see friendships developing between students and to hear about their adventures and this all becomes part of the learning curve as they use the language to communicate. It's true, I love what I do!

Working at Good Hope Studies since 2016 has given me the opportunity to not only let my inner nerd prosper, but also to have an audience for my extremely lame jokes. When I’m not at school, you can find me on my beanbag busy reading, drinking or just doing something bizarre. 

I leave you with this gem:
Q: What’s the difference between a cat and a comma?
A: One has claws at the end of its paws, the other is a pause at the end of a clause.

I grew up in KZN, moving to Cape Town to study and, although I've spent time in many cities in many countries, I'm always happy to return to Cape Town. Although I enjoy the social scene, I'm happiest surfing, hiking or mountain biking and I love being able to proudly share "my city”. I've been with Good Hope Studies since 2017 but have been in this industry a couple of decades, in various roles, but what keeps me coming back is the interaction with such varied people. To me, teaching should be enjoyable as well as instructive and it's gratifying that students learn, not only from me, but from their peers, and far more than just English.

A love of languages and exploring new cultures has been the driving force in choosing my profession. I joined Good Hope Studies in 2017 and find it a privilege to not only be able to teach my own language but also to learn from my students. I’ve lived and worked in many places and I try to bring these memorable experiences into my classroom.

Having been in the ESL/TEFL field for over twenty years and with Good Hope studies since the year 2018, what inspires me to continue with the same degree of enthusiasm is the prospect of meeting my unique and interesting students. Oftentimes I feel I receive as much as I give in my classroom; not only in terms of a cultural exchange, but also when sharing opinions on world events and the issues we face as global citizens. I feel blessed and proud to be able to send my students on their way in the world knowing that in some small way, my contribution to their learning helped pave the way to their success in life.

I joined Good Hope Studies in 2021. Before that I dabbled in teaching primary schoolers, highschoolers and tutoring matriculants. The plan was never to become a teacher as my mother (who is one) always warned me against the profession. However, as cliché as it may sound, it has become one of the biggest blessings in my life: getting to teach and give people tools they need but also getting to learn from my students, about their lives, cultures and countries.

I joined Good Hope Studies in May 2021 after having lived and taught in different places abroad. Joining the school was like “coming home”. My colleagues are friendly and helpful, and amazing teachers. The students I’ve met come from all over the world, and the exchange of ideas and teaching each other about their cultures enriches not only their lives but mine too. No place I’d rather be right now than right here!

I am originally from Durban but have lived in Cape Town for most of my adult life. I arrived in Cape Town in 1994 just in time for first democratic elections. I have always been passionate about teaching and taught for many years in Fashion Design before becoming an English teacher. I joined Good Hope Studies in 2021. What I enjoy the most about teaching English is meeting new people from all over the world and learning about different cultures. I love that no matter where people are from, we are able to connect through shared interests in food and culture and love for our families.

I'm originally from the bustling and thriving mining town of Orkney, South Africa... not the island off the coast of Scotland. "That would make you Afrikaans right Virgilia?" You might ask, to which I would reply "No". Although I can speak Afrikaans, say, if someone's life was being threatened, but I'd much rather practice my Setwana with our receptionist, Fifi, if she'd oblige me. I've spent the last 6 years living and teaching English in Vietnam, specifically Saigon and joined the Good Hope family in 2022. I very much relate to Shrek in the sense that I too feel like an onion, to eat and in appearance, but also in that I have layers, so if you'd like to know anything about me, just ask; two good topics to start with would be 'food' and 'cats'. 

Shortly after completing the CELTA training course at Good Hope Studies, I joined the teaching staff during a sweltering December in 2022. Being a teacher is an exceptionally rewarding job. My students have taught me about culture, life, and the beauty of friendship. When the day's work is done, I enjoy taking my students on excursions around Cape Town to create memories that will last forever.

I did the Cambridge CELTA training course at Good Hope Studies and have been teaching here since 2022. Even though I studied German, organisational management, aromatherapy, and advertising, I believe that I have found my true calling in teaching. I am a Capetonian born and bred, and I absolutely love this city. But I do enjoy travel, and visiting art galleries, museums, and obviously spending time with my cats.