Hi There!
I’m Michelle Strydom
Explore and Enjoy
Welcome and thanks for visiting my site! I invite you to take a moment to look around.
To learn more about my background, experience, skills and how we could potentially work together, simply contact me.
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Bio
Personal Profile
From a young age, I’ve always had a sense of motivation and passion driving me forward. Whether it’s exploring unique opportunities, learning additional skills, or meeting new people, I bring these values to every experience throughout my life on a personal and professional level. I have completed a post-graduate degree in communication management. I have working experience in a vast variety of fields. I'm currently exploring what life, and the rest of the world has to offer by traveling to different countries and indulging in new cultures and ways of being. I believe that the opportunities I encounter on this journey will enrich my life and aid me in adapting to the changing occupational environment. To learn more about me, keep exploring my site or reach out directly.
My Experience
ENGLISH Instructor & EXAMINER (Preschool to Grade 6 & Adults)
Live ABC, Taipei (Multiple Campuses) | 2023 - Present
As an experienced English instructor and examiner, I have been dedicated to helping students of all ages and proficiency levels succeed in their language learning journey at Live ABC in Taipei. My role spans a broad spectrum of age groups, from preschool through to Grade 6, as well as adult learners, with a focus on comprehensive skill development in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
For younger learners, my approach is interactive and engaging, designed to cultivate an early love for language through dynamic lessons that incorporate storytelling, games, and age-appropriate activities. I specialize in preparing students for English competitions, helping them build confidence and hone their skills for events like spelling bees, speech contests, and reading challenges. My goal is not only to improve their language abilities but also to foster a sense of achievement and excitement about learning.
In addition to working with younger students, I teach Business English to adults, tailoring the lessons to suit professional contexts. Whether it's improving writing for emails, mastering business presentations, or enhancing conversational skills for meetings and negotiations, I focus on providing practical English that students can apply in their careers.
My responsibilities also include preparing students for major international English proficiency exams such as the GEPT, TOEFL, IELTS, and Anglia Exams. I design personalized study plans, focusing on each student’s specific needs and target areas, and guide them through practice tests and exam strategies to boost their chances of success.
As part of my commitment to maintaining high standards of instruction, I also conduct ongoing oral proficiency assessments for students in Taiwan and China, providing valuable feedback to ensure their continuous improvement.
Additionally, I lead engaging online courses in conversational English, where I work with students to enhance their fluency, vocabulary, and overall communication skills. My interactive lessons encourage active participation, critical thinking, and practical language use in everyday situations.
Beyond teaching, I serve as an Anglia Examiner, responsible for evaluating English proficiency in young learners. I assess their speaking and writing abilities, offering constructive feedback to help them progress in their language acquisition.
To ensure each student’s growth, I continuously monitor their progress, providing personalized feedback, support, and guidance. I believe in fostering a learning environment that promotes not only language development but also confidence and self-expression. Alongside my core English instruction, I also lead art classes, blending creativity with language learning to provide a holistic educational experience.
Through a combination of personalized instruction, interactive learning methods, and constant feedback, I strive to make a meaningful impact on the language proficiency of every student I work with.
Part-Time English Teacher
AGKsion, Neihu, Taipei | 2023
In my role as a part-time English instructor at AGKsion in Neihu, Taipei, I worked with students from Grade 1 to Grade 6, delivering dynamic and engaging lessons that focus on building a strong foundation in English. I utilized a variety of teaching methods tailored to the diverse needs of young learners, ensuring each lesson was not only informative but also fun and interactive.
My primary focus was on enhancing students’ reading, writing, and speaking skills through a variety of activities, including story-based lessons, group discussions, vocabulary games, and creative writing exercises. These activities were designed to encourage active participation, boost confidence, and foster a love of language learning.
I also placed a strong emphasis on practical English usage, helping students learn how to communicate effectively in everyday situations. This approach enabled them to develop their language proficiency in both academic and real-life contexts. In addition, I regularly assessed students' progress, providing ongoing feedback and adjusting lesson plans to address individual learning needs and ensure consistent growth.
By working part-time at AGKsion, I gained valuable experience in tailoring my teaching to fit a different learning environment, focusing on personalized instruction and creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for students to thrive.
Composition Teacher
Wego High School: Xinbeitou, Taipei | 2021 - 2022
My responsibilities includes teaching Kindergarten learners (ages 3 to 5) in various subjects including, but not limited to, phonics, writing, and speaking. I created my own curriculum based on the My View workbook and other materials hand selected by the school to provide a comprehensive educational program, which encourages the maximum continued growth of each student. I am also responsible for creating daily P.E activities making use of the track, swimming pool, rock-climbing wall, and outdoor play areas. My goal is to expand the range of each student's personal, social and emotional skills. I also use songs, stories and games to motivate students to participate. I aim to assist each student to identify his or her strengths, abilities, talents and interests in order to create a safe, practical, successful learning environment.
Kindergarten homeroom Teacher
Kang Chiao International School: Neihu, Taipei | 2022 - 2023
My responsibilities included creating and implementing curriculums, lesson plans, projects, and exams for both G7 and G11 IEP Composition classes in the international program. I was also responsible for educating G11 students in preparing for their upcoming TOEFL exams by creating mock exams and giving individual advice and comments on improving their writing skills. I used Grammar for Great writing and other textbooks from the same publisher to teach more in-detail grammar classes and focus on different genres of writing. The projects I designed for the students include Non-Fiction Essays, Non-Fiction Script writing and performance; Fiction Essays, Sci-Fi Essays; and a Comic Book project. I also taught and guided students in the practice of writing Problem-Solution essays, Definition essays, Cause and Effect essays, and performance skills. Classes were both virtual and in person, since students at home could just join in. I was sure to encourage students joining online to participate as well. I really appreciated the connections I formed with students and staff-members.
Homeroom Teacher/ Journalism Club Instructor
Tree House Academy, Taipei | 2021 - 2022
I was employed as a Grade 5 homeroom teacher at Tree House Academy. I was responsible for teaching Reading/ Writing Workshops; Literature Anthology; Science and Grammar. Students were educated using an American curriculum focused on nurturing well-rounded individuals. This program is provided for students as an after school supplement to their learning. I was also the instructor of the journalism club. Students do research, visit attractions and indulge in the excitement of deadlines and juicy articles. My personal goal was to break down students' boundaries and push them into situations that challenge them. I hosted an art club and a book club during summer camp to older elementary students. I also present theme classes every week to enrich student's knowledge about the world. I am well versed with e-learning and teaching electronically or online. I am fully capable of using Google Meets, Google Hangouts & Zoom. I am also experienced in using Google Classrooms, Google Forms, Microsoft Teams. and other online platforms.
Substitute Homeroom Teacher/ Art Instructor
Blessed Imelda's School Taipei December | 2020 - January 2021
During a transitional period while awaiting the commencement of my contract at Tree House Academy, I had the opportunity to briefly serve as a substitute teacher at Blessed Imelda’s High School. In this role, I was entrusted with both curriculum design and its implementation for Grade 7 and Grade 9 students, covering a broad range of subjects, with a particular focus on English and Art.
As the primary instructor for English, I developed and delivered lessons aimed at enhancing students’ comprehension, writing, and verbal communication skills. I crafted engaging lesson plans that integrated both traditional and modern pedagogical techniques to cater to diverse learning styles. My lessons encouraged critical thinking, creative expression, and academic discussion, which helped students connect language skills to real-world contexts.
In addition to English, I taught Art classes, where I designed projects and activities to encourage creativity and self-expression. These lessons allowed students to explore various artistic mediums while simultaneously strengthening their problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. I made sure to foster a classroom environment where students felt comfortable experimenting with new techniques, and I provided individual guidance to ensure they developed their artistic skills.
My time at Blessed Imelda’s High School was a valuable experience in adapting quickly to a new teaching environment, while also strengthening my abilities in curriculum development, student engagement, and classroom management. This role not only allowed me to further refine my teaching strategies but also reinforced my commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that blends both academic and creative subjects.
Instructor/ Teacher / Administrative Assistant , Washington International High School
| December 2019 - November 2020
I was responsible for all recruitment activities and other admin projects, such as graphic designing, creating marketing content, as well as inspecting grammar on important documents and marketing content. I am proud to identify myself as an ambassador of Washington High School. I was also hired as an English Literature and Writing instructor for both junior and senior high school students which signifies that I'm familiar with teaching kindergarten, elementary school, junior-high school , and senior high school. I taught literature, grammar and Lexile online reading. I taught Career Planning, as a student councillor (preparing for SAT's and other standardised testing), and I taught Art Appreciation as subjects. I also ran my own extracurricular club, The Cultural Kitchen, where students were encouraged to explore different cultures through their taste buds. This included the introduction to the cuisine, exploration of ingredients, as well as cooking or baking, and tasting. I assisted students in preparing for The Teen Diplomatic Envoys Contest. I also assisted a music class in reaching their music goals.
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I enjoy teaching all age groups. My main focus is to make learning English as fun and accessible as possible.
Online Instructor, ITutor
| February 2020 - pending
I use my free time to teach online classes to students of all ages. I have 25 min classes with young students and 40 min classes with adults and older students. My responsibilities include accessing students' English capabilities and adapting to teach them in a way that is more beneficial and effective. The variety of topics covered during lessons are greatly diverse and interesting. I started teaching online to save up for the future, but it turned out I liked it more than expected. I have a flexible schedule and I get to gain experience and knowledge in the educational field.
Private English Tutor
| September 2020 - November 2021
I have tutored numerous students varying from elementary level to adults. My tutoring experience is composed of creating and developing curriculums to adequately meet the needs of each individual student. I've had numerous students in Changhua, Taichung, and Taipei. I also have experience in tutoring GEPT one-on-one with the son of one of Taichung's well-known principals. I've also tutored students at each of the schools I've worked with to to help them acquire greater knowledge for weekly exams. The material is mostly focused on conversation. We're also looking at current events world wide and we've been studying phonetical symbols.
Event Planner & Founder, Taichung Poetry Collective
| March 2020 - November 2021
In a foreign​ country such as Taiwan, where people tend to speak in dialects that you don't necessarily understand, it is tough to express yourself. I couldn't find any similar workshops or collectives for English speakers to come together to express themselves and work on their writing skills, so I created the group. It has been going great. We meet up every fortnight for workshops and we also do readings at events. We're planning to create and publish a chapbook soon. At first I expected that only foreigners would join, but a lot of the local comunity is also interested in the workshops. Check out our pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Event Planner & Founder, Figure Drawing Taichung
| February 2020 - ongoing
I organise fortnight events where both foreigners and locals are invited to join us in figure drawing. We provide materials, drinks, a model, and an Art Instructor to aid those in need of guidance or advice. We've had a couple of events and it has been going great! Check out our pages on Facebook and Instagram.
ESL Teacher, Hess International Education Group
| November 2016 - November 2019
My role in this company consisted of teaching English as a second language to students between the ages of two up to the ages of fifteen. The teaching material included art, science, creative writing, grammar, conversation, phonemic recognition and pronunciation and accelerated reading. I also teach Kindergarten students. My responsibilities included curriculum development, lesson planning, classroom management, performance directing and choreography, instructing public speaking classes and events, private tutoring, being an ambassador for the company, hosting company events, creating and presenting presentations, designing posters and pamphlets as well as creating and directing videos for performances and marketing.
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Some of the skills I acquired while working here includes being able to meet strict deadlines, planning ahead, and being detail oriented. I'm also able to independently manage any classroom situation. I've also been focused on improving my creative and editing skills. I truly enjoy the work environment and find it completely fulfilling but I'm open to new opportunities and traveling experiences.
Private English Tutor
| February 2017 - August 2017
My responsibilities included one-on-one educational assistance to elementary school students as well as a few adults. I strove to assist the students in improving their English reading , writing, and speaking skills. I was also responsible for setting up lessons, assigning homework, and correcting homework and tests. I had to identify the various needs of the students in order to make the most out of the lessons I prepared. I enjoyed the one-on-one lessons because it was easy to recognize the progress that the students made.
Administrative Assistant, North West University Admissions Office
| January 2015 - January 2016
I assisted the Admissions Office during the registration period. My responsibilities included approaching and corresponding with potential students and their parents, serving as a source of information for applicants and assisting them with the admissions process. My duties also included filing, telephonic correspondence and counter services.
Receptionist, Aardklop Clover
| August 2015
My job responsibilities included selling and collecting admission tickets and passes, examining tickets and passes to verify authenticity, guiding patrons to exits in case of emergencies, maintaining order in crisis situations and ensuring all patrons adhere to safety rules, providing assistance with special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs, assisting patrons in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and locating facilities such as restrooms, refusing admittance to undesirable persons without valid tickets or passes and settling disputes, (ask me about this, I have some interesting stories). Other duties included distributing programs, changing advertising displays, and solving customer concerns.
Supervisor, North West University
| April 2016
My responsibilities included setting up the examination venue by placing student booklets and examination papers in accordance with strict procedures, implementing the exam rules and regulations and remaining vigilant throughout the process and assisting students before, during, and after the examination by directing them to their seats, advising them about possessions permitted at examination venues and dealing with queries raised by the students.
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The skills I acquired from this position include integrity and vigilance.
Assistant, North West University
| May 2015
This position's responsibilities were grounded on the idea of being an ambassador for the university and requiting potential students to attend the university as first year students the following year.
Assistant Researcher, SANBS
| 2016
My responsibilities included conducting in depth research for the company. I then used the research to write a dissertation as part of my honors studies at the North West University.  I had to conduct literature reviews, collect and analyze data, prepare materials such as interview questions, recruit and interview subjects, maintain accurate records of interviews, safeguard the confidentiality of subjects, summarize interviews, and provide ready access to all experimental data for the my lecturers and for the company.
Researcher, Potchefstroom Herald
| 2016
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Event Planner, North-West University Wine Guild
| October 2014 - November 2015
My responsibilities included organizing facilities and details such as decor, catering, entertainment, transportation, location, invitee list, special guests, equipment, promotional material etc. These responsibilities included building relationships with wine sponsors and staying up to date on my wine knowledge.
Event Planner, Post-Graduate Year End Event
| October 2016
I was responsible for organizing facilities and details such as decor, catering, entertainment, transportation, location, invitee list, special guests, equipment, promotional material etc. I hosted the event along with planning it. I designed the invitations and created special awards for the students and lecturers. I also directed videos which was given to the guests as gifts.
Part-Time Graphic Designer, Future Beauty
|2014 - 2016
My duties and responsibilities at this company included meeting with clients to determine the scope of the project, advising clients on designs and strategies to reach a particular audience, creating images to identify with the products, developing and designing logo's and stickers for company products, selecting colors, images, text styles and layouts, presenting and defending designs to clients, incorporating changes, and reviewing designs and errors before printing them.
Assistant, Rocha Chic Boutique
| 2010 - 2012
I worked at Rocha Chic Boutique part time, weekends and on school holidays. My responsibilities included assisting clients with questions and queries such as giving fashion advice and assisting with fittings. I was also responsible for approaching customers, promoting products, providing information on discounts, answering to customer inquiries and collecting payments.
The skills I acquired from this position include: the ability to sell, resilience, customer service orientation, good understanding of products, and the ability to attain and exceed sales goals.
Volunteer, Potchefstroom Orthopedic and Sport Centre
| 2016
I created an integrated marketing plan for the company based on self-collected research from both current and potential clients. I then formulated a strategy and presented it to the managers to encourage and assist implementation. The strategy's foundation was based on re-branding the company and expanding the client population, and to do this on all media platforms.
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The skills I acquired include public speaking, the ability to present and defend a strategy and conducting detailed research from perceptions and needs of others. I especially enjoyed creating social media based strategies and posts.
Volunteer, Vaal Pets
| 2017
I created a social media strategy for this NGO as part of a recognized project. My responsibilities included an analysis of the organization’s current situation, conducting qualitative research and engaging in focus group research to recommend a social media strategy specifically applicable to this organization.
Volunteer, Khulisa
| 2015
I created a media kit and a communication plan for this organization as part of a recognized project. The plan was based on constructing a press release and a radio broadcast to promote an awareness event.
Volunteer, Bafenyi Trust
| 2015
I conducted research to determine whether the organization was suitable to qualify as a community engagement project of the North West University.
Volunteer, Llama Pro Constructions
| 2015
I created an in-house journal (newsletter) for this organization as part of a recognized project. I had a blast. It’s always fun to combine graphic design with an interesting scope.
Interested in learning more about my professional background?
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Education
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Hess International Education Group
November 2016 - August 2017
This certificate was awarded for the successful completion of a minimum of 85 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 65 hours of teaching practicum. The certificate includes expertise in the Audio Lingual Method, Mind Mapping, Biographical Database, Communication Approach, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Style Flexing, Accelerated Reading, Total Physical Response, Dual Language Weaving, Graduated Interval Recall, Community Language Learning, Storytelling, and Special Needs Learners.
Honors Bachelor of Arts in Communication Management, North West University, S.A.
January 2016 - November 2016
This degree equipped me with skills in a variety of subjects such as organizational communication, corporate communication management, social media management, public relations management, research methodology, communication for social change, non-governmental organizational communication, organizational media management, and public speaking.
Some achievements I acquired during this time includes being the best student in the field Communication Management, receiving honorary colors for Honors Bachelor of Arts in the faculty of Arts, as well as completing the degree with a distinction.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, North West University, S.A.
January 2013 - November 2015
This degree provided me with immense knowledge in the following fields: academic literacy, historical linguistics, postmodern literacy, publishing, communication theory, media policy, ethics and law, research methodology, communication for social change, marketing, communication planning, media and corporate writing, art history, creative writing, and philosophy.
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I also obtained the following achievements: Member of Golden Key International Honor Society, and Deputy Chairperson of North West University Wine Guild Society.
Honorable Mentions
Recognitions
Employee of the Year
2018
My Skills
Web Design
I enjoy designing websites in my free time. I usually use online website builders such as Wix, Weebly, and Wordpress. I believe a website is a great tool to use as it allows you to create and share a desired image.
Computer Literacy
My computer skills include: Microsoft Office, Apache Open Office, Adobe, Google and several Online Platforms.
Online and Social Media
I am active on the following social media platforms: Facebook Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Whatsapp, Line, Snapchat, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Skype, and Pinterest.
Photography and Videography
I'll agree that every single person with a decent camera phone think that they are a photographer, but in this time we live in, I believe that everybody does indeed possess the means to be a photographer. It's the talent that divides the better ones from the rest. But don't take my word for it, check out my portfolio. ;)
Graphic Design
I have great passion and curiosity towards graphic design, I love spending hours and hours working on designs. I'm familiar with a couple of designing platforms. These platforms include Corel Draw, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator. I also like using platforms such as Pictochart, Canva, Stencil, Pic Monkey and DesignBold.
Adaptability and Flexibility
I have experience in a variety of fields which each possessed its own situations and expectations. I have learned a lot from my experiences and I am open to the changes that stems from new opportunities.
Blogging
Check out my personal blog. Here you will be forced to interpret the thoughts of an anxious, over-thinker, over-dreamer, not very opinionated millennial who, like most, thought that starting a blog would solve all the problems one might come across, but instead discovered that it only provided me with even worse predicaments and troubles. I hope you’re entertained while reading my completely overrated, terribly stretched, mostly boring and tedious, slightly uneducated thoughts- and please feel free to educate when necessary. Life would be a lot better if we teach each other instead of just criticizing and disagreeing.
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Art & Art History
I am self-taught in drawing and paining using various materials such as pencil, crayon, pastel, charcoal, acrylic and water paint. I am also an Art History Buff and I teach Art Appreciation.
Photography Portfolio
"Well done is better than well said"
Benjamin Franklin
Let’s Connect
