About Paul
About Paul
A mission to help professionals speak clearly and confidently when it matters most.
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What I Learned Teaching English in Unlikely Places
What I Learned Teaching English in Unlikely Places
I got on a bus in Vietnam and crossed the border into Cambodia because I'd seen poverty and wanted to help. What I learned there changed how I teach English forever.
I'd been volunteering in kindergartens in Vietnam when I realised the need was even greater just across the border. So I went.
Teaching in Cambodia
Teaching in Cambodia
I spent a year in Phnom Penh teaching at a school to pay my way, but the real education happened in unexpected places, such as a bar where the owner fed street children. I also taught a university student on weekends and we're still friends on Facebook.
In those unlikely classrooms, I learned people don't need perfect grammar to change their lives. They need the confidence to use what they know. I watched adults and children alike struggle with the fear of speaking. I realised it’s this hesitation that keeps brilliant minds silent.
Above, Me in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Return and Reinvention
Return and Reinvention
When the city became overwhelming, I returned to the UK. I bought an old post office van, converted it into a camper and spent a year travelling through Europe, I eventually settled into a rhythm, house and pet sitting, staying in my stealthy campervan when needed, returning to my hometown for longer visits with family.
After COVID restrictions lifted I went back to Cambodia, I found myself teaching adults locally at discounted rates while paying my bills through online teaching, That's when it clicked, I could help more people online than I ever could in person. Students kept asking me, "How do I improve at home?" So I created a podcast. The idea of making English learning accessible became central to everything I built from there.
1,000 LESSONS, ONE CRITICAL INSIGHT
1,000 LESSONS, ONE CRITICAL INSIGHT
I've now taught over 1,000 lessons online, I've taught in schools across Spain, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I understand what real fluency looks like, and what separates people who study English from people who use it with confidence.
The difference isn't vocabulary, It's psychology.
I've watched students secure promotions to team leadership, pass critical professional assessments, and relocate to international positions because I help them rewire their future.
YOU CAN SPEAK CONFIDENTLY
YOU CAN SPEAK CONFIDENTLY
The Optician Who Became a Teacher
The Optician Who Became a Teacher
Geraldine was an optician in France who dreamt of becoming an English teacher, she had the knowledge from years of studying English, she had solid grammar and a decent vocabulary. What she lacked was the confidence to stand in front of a classroom and teach in a language that wasn't her own.
We focused on thinking on your feet, explaining concepts clearly, and managing classroom conversation. We practised, recorded, and reviewed. Slowly, the gap closed. Geraldine made the career change she'd been dreaming about. She's now teaching English in France because her confidence caught up to her competence.
The Accountant Climbing the Ladder
The Accountant Climbing the Ladder
Anton was working his way up the career ladder in his company. He was technically brilliant and strategically sharp. But increasingly, his role required attending international video calls, and that's where the hesitation showed up. It was just enough to undermine his authority. He started to second-guess himself before speaking.
We worked on the scenarios he faced: contributing confidently in meetings, asking clarifying questions without apologising, and presenting updates with authority. The technical vocabulary came easily. The challenge was sounding like the expert he already was. Anton's communication now matches his capabilities.
THE FULL CIRCLE
THE FULL CIRCLE
I'm back in the UK now, mostly staying around the South West. I move between house-sitting assignments and nights in my campervan. It's an unconventional setup, but it works.
Creating Opportunities
Creating Opportunities
The work has evolved, but the mission hasn't. You can support it by buying me a coffee. All of the proceeds (from coffee or Tea) go to the Cambodian Children's Fund, fronted by Hollywood's Scott Neeson. It's a full circle back to where this all started: Using English to create opportunities.
You Can Help Make English Accessible
You Can Help Make English Accessible
If you join the members' club, you get exclusive access to special podcasts, courses, and resources. But more than that, you become part of making English learning accessible to people who need it most.
Listen, Listen, Listen
Listen, Listen, Listen
I've been telling my students for years that the key to improvement is listening to native English speakers for hours and hours. That's why the podcast exists. That's why I keep building resources. And that's why this programme works.
Fluency isn't about perfection. It's about confidence, commitment, and closing the gap between who you are and how you're perceived.
Want to Work Together?
Want to Work Together?
If you’re ready to stop feeling anxious speaking English and start communicating with confidence — I’d love to help.
Book a free video call below.
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