THE SPEAK & LEARN STAFF
Native English speakers from multicultural backgrounds with almost 20 years of experience in teaching the English language and the development of new methods and approaches to learning a language.
Passionate about their work, George and Nadia always have a door open for any students attending the school. Alongside their team, they strive to motivate and stimulate their students to help them achieve their goals and develop passion and interest in the English language along the way.
GEORGEFounder, director and English and Spanish teacher
George is the founder of Speak and Learn and a native English and Spanish teacher, with an authentic and innovative approach to language learning. He promotes a method based on listening and conversation, aimed at easy, natural, and lasting learning.
George grew up between California, Ecuador, and England, he brings with him a multicultural heritage enriched by his roots. This cultural wealth has fueled his passion for languages since a young age, making him a polyglot and an explorer of human language.
A curious traveler and writer, George enriches his lessons with experiences gathered around the world and has published articles in magazines such as SpeakUp and English Actually by il Sole 24 Ore.
NADIAFounder, director and English teacher
Nadia is a native English teacher, born in Oslo and raised in South Africa, who has dedicated her life to teaching since her twenties. Today, in addition to teaching, she passionately manages and organizes the school, with the same care and attention she brings to her lessons.
Her creative and engaging approach turns every class into a fun and stimulating experience. Games, rhymes, and clever language tricks are her tools to make English accessible and enjoyable for learners of all ages—from young children to adults.
Passionate about theatre, music, film, and fantasy literature, Nadia is guided by a curious and adventurous spirit, both in and out of the classroom. She loves to travel and discover new cultures and lifestyles, preferably in unconventional ways. Recently, she has developed a love for sailing and dreams of combining her passion for teaching with the sea—perhaps through educational projects on board a boat.
EDNAEnglish teacher
Based in Milan since 2011, Edna loves using her art to tell stories, which means her lessons are always full of color and music.
Edna has a calm and reassuring approach that immediately puts students at ease. Her excellent command of English—both written and spoken—adds depth and precision to every lesson. She’s the ideal teacher for young learners as well as for those at advanced levels who want to refine their language skills.
When she’s not at Speak and Learn, Edna is a writer and an artist and works with the Isola Art Center collective in Milan. She loves the tenacity of pigeons which inspired her first book published in 2021: The Vertical Jungle by Edna Gee is available from Amazon.
JOSHEnglish teacher
“Hey dude!” Josh came to Milan straight from the sunny beaches of Southern California — half teacher, half surfer. He’s passionate about history, especially the Roman Empire, which he has studied extensively and truly loves.
Josh has a vibrant personality and brings a youthful, pop-inspired, and sporty energy into the classroom, making each lesson engaging, dynamic, and fun.
A true sports enthusiast, Josh is a proud AC Milan supporter. When he’s not at Speak and Learn, you’ll likely find him at San Siro stadium, chasing waves, listening to Hip Hop musica, reading political articles, or exploring the city.
ANAEnglish and Spanish teacher
Ana is an Ecuadorian fashion design graduate who grew up in South Florida and is now based in Milan.
Ana brings a rich, multicultural perspective to the classroom. Passionate about art, music, and creative expression, she integrates her diverse background into her lessons, helping students see language through a broader, more vibrant lens.
Outside of teaching, Ana enjoys DJing, exploring new music, and expressing her creativity through sewing and knitting. Her goal is to inspire students not only to learn, but to connect language with culture and personal passion.
NANCYEnglish teacher
Nancy is a native English teacher from New York with a deep passion for helping students achieve their language goals. She uses an understanding and supportive approach, carefully tailored to each learner’s individual needs, to help them overcome their language challenges.
Outside of her work at Speak and Learn, Nancy is dedicated to community service. She volunteers to support homeless individuals, helps immigrants start a new life in Italy, and distributes food boxes to families in need once a month.
MAXGerman teacher
Born in Hamburg, Max spent half his life there before moving to Berlin, where he taught Politics and Physical Education in secondary schools for over ten years. Today, he brings his experience, energy, and passion for teaching to Milan, where he has been living for the past year.
When he’s not at Speak and Learn, Max is rarely still—you’ll find him playing guitar, on the sports field, or hiking in the mountains. He enjoys exploring new paths and taking on new challenges, both in nature and in the classroom.
SARABack Office
Sara is in charge of the administrative and organizational side of Speak and Learn, handling everything with dedication and precision. She is the main point of contact for students and families—always approachable, helpful, and ready to answer any questions or assist with any needs.
Passionate about languages and cultures, Sara loves to travel and explore the world with her family in her free time. When she’s not in the office, you’ll likely find her at the airport, ready to embark on a new adventure!
EDOARDOFront Office
Edoardo is the first friendly face you’ll see when you walk into Speak and Learn. Always kind and welcoming, he’s ready to greet you with a smile and assist you with anything you need.
Although he’s the youngest member of the team, Edoardo has a wealth of experience—he literally grew up in our classrooms! Having completed all of our courses, he now has an advanced level of English and knows our programs inside out. That makes him the perfect person to guide you through our course options and help you choose the one that suits you best. His next goal? Achieving a C2 level certification.
Outside of Speak and Learn, Edoardo is passionate about exploring trends in fashion, design, music, investments, technology, fitness, and nutrition, and he’s also a true car enthusiast.
OUR COURSES
KIDS
TEENAGERS
ADULTS
