About Elien

A scientist by training. A teacher at heart.

Elien loves taking something that feels difficult and calmly unpacking it until it begins to make sense. That clarity, free from judgement or pressure, is at the heart of her lessons.

Native Dutch speaker

Standard Dutch as spoken in Flanders

Cambridge CELTA

Professional qualification for teaching English

MSc in Physics

Magna cum laude, KU Leuven

Multilingual

Dutch, English and French

An unusual combination

The precision of a physicist. The care of a teacher.

Elien completed two science bachelor’s degrees in parallel before earning her MSc in Physics magna cum laude. That path demanded curiosity, discipline and persistence, qualities she now uses to build a clear learning path for each learner.

But a good lesson takes more than a good plan. Through her work as a secondary-school science and mathematics teacher and private tutor, Elien learnt to pay close attention: what does someone already understand, where do they get stuck, and which explanation opens the door?

Experience that matters

Teaching the person in front of her, not an “average” learner.

Elien has taught mathematics, physics and chemistry in secondary schools and supported learners one-to-one in both sciences and languages. She has experience teaching learners with autism, ADHD and language disorders, and adapts the structure, pace and explanations without lowering expectations.

Classroom teaching

Classroom teaching experience for adults and young learners.

One-to-one support

Private tutoring and individual teaching tailored to one learner’s needs.

Language support

CELTA-qualified, with experience as a Dutch conversation buddy for newcomers.

Still a learner herself

Elien knows what searching for words feels like.

Since she started learning Spanish in evening class at 16 years old, she’s continually been learning new languages. In the meantime, she has learned Slovakian, Italian and Arabic. Her new challenge now is Mandarin Chinese.

Beyond the classroom

Curiosity is the thread running through everything.

Alongside education, Elien has worked in ecological research, sustainable mobility and community projects. She helps catalogue plant life in Brussels as a volunteer, has facilitated activities for young people with disabilities and supported newcomers as a Dutch-language buddy. Those experiences bring a wider range of topics and perspectives into her lessons.

See if it feels right

Tell Elien what you want to be able to say.

A short introductory chat is free and informal. There’s no sales pitch, just an honest conversation about your goals and what would help.

Get in touch with Elien Explore the lessons