Lauren

Manager
BA (Hons) Rhodes PGCE. TEFL

Lauren has always loved teaching. Her journey into the profession began from an early age, when she would pretend to teach her younger sister in her mother’s classroom, writing activities on the blackboard and issuing out homework (much to her sibling’s dismay).

Since those early years, Lauren’s pedagogical journey has evolved, encompassing her work within many different spheres of education. She has assumed roles as a university tutor, primary and high school teacher, university lecturer, and an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) instructor. She takes pride in staying abreast of the latest educational research, emerging trends, and technological advancements. This dedication enables her to customise the educational experiences of her students, enhancing both their learning outcomes and overall enjoyment.

She has an Honours degree in English Literature from Rhodes University, a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) from NMU, and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) with distinction from the Acorn Institute. During her employment at Rhodes University, Lauren planned and facilitated several courses related to English language teaching and learning, while gaining additional experience providing academic literacy and writing support to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Beyond her professional commitments, she enjoys reading good literature, and spending time in nature.

Ashleigh Spence

Owner and Founder
BA NMMU, PGCE

Beginning her academic path at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, Ashleigh majored in English Literature and Psychology. Following this she decided to take her subjects further by doing a Post Graduate Certification in Education. She passed both degrees cum laude.

In 2015 she moved to Zimbabwe and set up a private tutoring practice focused on one-to-one intervention for students needing more learning support. This sparked a deep love for personal connection within the educational space. It was at this point that she also decided to begin her career in online English teaching for second language learners; primarily focusing on the European market.

In 2017 she spent a year in Vietnam. While there she maintained her work with her online students and focused her in-class work in Hanoi on children and teenagers. In 2018 she came home to South Africa and shortly after that started Foreign Friend English. Since then she has owned and run the company with a natural desire to aid others with the achievement of their varied English goals.

In 2021 she completed an additional certification in Counselling which has further served to deepen the ways in which she is able to show up for her students both inside and outside the digital classroom environment. In addition to that she also started Zweledinga Sunday School, an NPO focused on education in a local impoverished community close to her home.

With communication, evolution and enjoyment as the main driving forces behind what she does in life, she has now spent almost a decade in the online English industry working with first and second language learners alike.

In her free time she dives into many hobbies including hiking, yoga, creative writing, guitar, baking, mental health counselling and listening to loud music whenever she can.