English Basics for Beginners – Speak with Confidence A1-B1

From 122 C$ /h

Improve your English with personalised, practical lessons for A1–B1 learners, from complete beginners to lower-intermediate students.

I am a Cambridge CELTA-certified English teacher with an MA in TESOL, 180-hour TEFL certification, and over 10 years of teaching experience. I am also a PhD candidate in Education, specialising in digital game-based language learning.

Lessons focus on speaking, listening, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading, and everyday communication, with activities adapted to your level, goals, and interests.

Whether you need English for travel, work, study, or everyday life, I will provide clear explanations, practical activities, and personalised feedback.

All lessons are online.

Extra information

Please bring a notebook and pencil to each lesson. Before the first class, please let me know your age (for younger learners), current English level, and learning goals. Lessons can be adapted for children or adults, including complete beginners, school support, travel, work, and everyday conversation.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At teacher's location :

Coop Supermarkt Zürich Bahnhofbrücke, Zürich, Switzerland

Online from Switzerland

About Me

I’m a polyglot and experienced language teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching English and Italian to international students. I hold two Master’s degrees: one in Foreign Languages and Translation from the University of Milan and a Master’s in TESOL from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada. I am currently a PhD candidate in Education at Ontario Tech University, researching digital games for language learning.

My English lessons are personalized, practical, and adapted to your level and goals. I offer:

• Exam preparation – Cambridge with a focus on speaking, writing, reading, and listening and exam strategies.(B2-C2)

• IELTS Preparation – General Training preparation, including speaking, writing, reading, listening, and exam strategies.

• General English & Speaking – Improve your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and confidence for everyday communication. (A1-B1)

• English for Kids & Young Learners – Engaging, structured lessons adapted to children’s age, level, and learning goals. (Pre A1-B1)

• Professional English – English for work, interviews, presentations, meetings, and public speaking. (B2-C1)

I also offer Italian lessons from A1 to C2, including conversation, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, CILS preparation, and Italian citizenship requirements.

My lessons use structured and engaging activities with a strong focus on real-life communication and measurable progress.

Education

PhD Candidate in Education – Ontario Tech University
Specialisation: Digital Game-Based Language Learning (DGBLL)

MA in TESOL – Saint Mary’s University, Canada

MA in Translation and Interpreting (English/Spanish) – University of Milan, Italy

BA in Foreign Languages and Literature – University of Milan, Italy

CELTA – Cambridge English / International House Prague

TEFL 180h & TESOL 120h Certifications

Experience / Qualifications

I have over 10 years of experience teaching languages to students of different ages, levels, and backgrounds, both online and in person.

I hold a BA in Foreign Languages and Literature and an MA in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Milan, as well as an MA in TESOL from Saint Mary’s University in Canada. I also hold the Cambridge CELTA qualification and am currently completing a PhD in Education.

My teaching experience includes general language courses, conversation, exam preparation, academic English, and personalised one-to-one instruction. I adapt lessons to each student's level, objectives, and learning style.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

30 minutes

45 minutes

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Italian

Spanish

Portuguese

Skills

English

School

English as a second language (esl)

English for adults

Vocabulary

Public speaking

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

English for Children | Digital Games – Fun & Highly Motivating Speaking Classes

163 C$ /h

Fun and engaging English lessons for children that use games, challenges, rewards, and gamification to make learning English enjoyable and motivating while speaking constantly in English!

Children learn through interactive activities rather than traditional memorization. Lessons develop vocabulary, speaking, listening, pronunciation, grammar, and communication skills while encouraging active participation and confidence.

Activities are adapted to each child’s age, English level, interests, and learning goals, with game-based tasks designed to keep children engaged and motivated throughout the lesson.

Suitable for: Children and young learners
Levels: A1–B1
Focus: English through games and gamification
Format: Online

| Cambridge Exams B1–C2 | CELTA Teacher & MA in TESOL |

92 C$ /h

I am a Cambridge CELTA-certified English teacher with an MA in TESOL, a 180-hour TEFL certification, and additional TESOL qualifications. I am currently a PhD candidate in Education, specializing in digital game-based language learning. With over 10 years of teaching experience, I have worked with international students at different levels, with a particular focus on Cambridge English examinations and B1–C2 learners.

Olga

5.0

(4)

I specialize in teaching children and adults. I make learning creative and fun and completely tailor made to each student's learning style and strengths. I place a strong emphasis on intuitive learning through speaking and reading and I let the grammar and vocabulary knowledge build naturally. I do follow textbooks when required but I also lesson plan around it, using the student's interests to make the class interesting.

Patrick

5.0

(4)

I am a primary school teacher who specializes in working on the individual potential for special needs kids from 7-18 years old. I am a citizen of USA Switzerland and Peru. I have previously assisted in lower , middle and upper school in order to have a broad overview in regards to subjects and individual growth potentials. I teach or assist in no particular order: German, English, Spanish, French, Social Siences, History, Math. I am a recommended tutor for the Zurich International School and Swiss International School in Switzerland since 2005. Please feel free to ask me for any further information.

Paola

5.0

(4)

Hello,
I am currently studying biology at the University of Zurich. I speak english and french as mother tongues and am also fluent in german and italian. I give tutoring services in maths & science, french and english but can also tailor to more specific needs. As I have previously studied in a french international school and then passed my Maturité in a swiss "collège", I have a good understanding of these two academic systems and of their expectations. I have 4 years of experience behind me and can give classes for students at different levels, from primary school to high school. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information. I would love to help you in any possible way!

Nesrine

5.0

(4)

The objective is that: the learner masters the English language (🎧listening-comprehension,🎤 conversation, 📚 reading, grammar-pronunciation, writing...). It helps him to have language skills like native speakers. 🥇

At the same time, the learner will be 🚴‍♀️dynamic and well supervised by professional tutors who listen.
The atmosphere is distinguished: 🔥learning, interaction, no routine, no stress.

The learning tools used; videos, audios, texts, articles, images, games, stories...

We are happy to help both adults and pupils/students. If you want to learn the English language (reading, grammar, oral conversation, written production,...) or you have homework to do, or competitions/tests to take, 🏆 contact us :)

Angelica

5.0

(4)

Hello everyone!

I am native Russian speaker and I have a master degree from the National linguistic university in a very specific skill of teaching the Russian language to non-Russians.

- I have been teaching Russian for many years to adults and children from all over the world in the classroom and via Skype. Also I have been working as an interpreter in the Ukrainian embassy.

- I’ve been living in various countries where I taught Russian. My English is fluent, so in our lessons I will explain everything to you in a very understandable and easy way.

- I guarantee positive and relaxed atmosphere in our lessons.

- Our lessons will always be well organized, well - planned and well structured.

- All the lessons are tailored exactly to your individual needs to help you succeed.

- I am focused on result and in our lessons will incorporate very interesting multimedia, photos, videos, power point presentations, and maximum conversational activities.

- I will help you to achieve the necessary level of communication in the shortest possible time, since I know the secret of the optimal sequence of material presentation. You will finally begin to speak fluently in Russian.

We will learn correct Russian grammar and vocabulary, speaking and you will get to the next level of Russian in no time.

By the End of the Course You Will:

- You will begin to speak fluently in Russian
- Get to the next level of Russian
- Significantly improve your Russian pronunciation
- Easily construct grammatically correct sentences in Russian
- Learn tons of Russian words and phrases on many different topics
- Feel confident speaking Russian
- Understand native Russian speakers with ease

Ron

5.0

(4)

I am an Ivy League educated tutor ready to help you achieve higher exam scores, gain admission to top universities and advance your career.

I encourage students to explore topics they enjoy and strive to make each lesson entertaining. Learning should be fun, so my approach expands students' horizons, increasing their creativity so they realize their potential.

Please click “Request a Booking” to book a class.

Qamille

5.0

(4)

➤ A follower of the "message beneath the message", as Roland Barthes would say, the semiologist is above all a detective of language and helps you in this sense: he sees meaning, deciphers and carefully analyzes the signs that surround him to interpret their meaning, reports on the effects of meaning, the connotations and the implicit present in the communication. He starts from the surface signs visible to all to bring out the latent meanings. His interest is most often focused on the phenomena "on the margin", at first glance not very significant, which are located behind the scenes, rather than on stage. In short, all these elements not necessarily visible at first glance.

What applies to semiological analysis? Everything: Images, logos, websites, gestures, behaviors, words, speeches, symbols, spaces, in short everything that allows humanity to communicate. On the other hand, the semiological method cannot be invented since it is very specific. Like an iceberg, it is a question of going from superficial and visible signs to latent signs and meanings.

➤ A fascinating discipline, semiology and the analysis of gestures, behaviors and verbal & non-verbal language allows us to decipher the signs of our personal and professional daily lives. In a political speech, on an advertisement, or through our gestures in the professional and personal context, our words and behaviors, the narration of signs mark a certain relationship to the world.

➤ By learning to dissect the meaning of words and gestures, semiology allows us to take a particular look at the coherence of communication and its relevance (versus the opposite), to understand the details of our own speech, and then to make good use of it.

➤ Thus, from the semiological methodology (rigorous, specific, objectifying), verbal, graphic, symbolic and behavioral identities can emerge.

➤ Finally, semiology is neither a matter of philosophy (it only operates from one or more corpora, concrete materials to be analyzed) nor of psychology (it is less interested in intentions than in the signs produced). It is an analysis, a look at one's own communication and that of others which allows one to react better intuitively.

➤ This is why these sessions are intended to be above all practical: filmed exercises, analysis of images to be dissected and then implementation of techniques / tools / methodology which will help you in your daily life, to improve your verbal and non-verbal language but also to decipher and understand that of others.

➤ Among the content browsed:
1) identify and act on behaviors:
-transmission of acquired knowledge on non-verbal communication in order to quickly detect intentions
-immersive team-building mode to bring out helpful behaviors (despite the saboteurs)

2) Profiling - Diagnose and guide based on a written or visual corpus:
-build the storytelling
-bring out a type of profile
-understand insights

3) Brand Strategy - Create a new brand, company or personal positioning

4) Concrete techniques & a targeted methodology for:
✓Acquire practical tools to improve your rhetoric/repartee
✓Decode and use the practical communication tools of great leaders
✓Fundamentals (practices) of eloquence but also of oratorical art (intonation, gaze, gestures, elocution, range, emotions, pronunciation, development of one's own style of charisma, etc.) to ensure consistency between content and the form
✓Fundamentals of Body Language to support and not interfere with the speech while being convinced & convincing.
✓ Highlighting their speech & promoting their speaking to arouse interest, by building on their strengths.
✓Creation of a coherence between the message emitted & the message received in order to improve its speech and in fact, its professional/personal relations.
✓Management of Q&A sessions & external reactions during an intervention or an oral exchange.
✓Practical tools to put your interlocutor at ease and appear friendly/interested.
✓To succeed in a negotiation/mediation.
✓On the one hand, learning to say 'no' simply in three steps AND on the other hand, getting people to say 'yes'.
✓To turn sentences into positive AND constructive.
✓To manage conflicts (eg 'assertive' communication techniques, eg CNV techniques - Non Violent Communication).
✓To put NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) at the service of communication.
✓To adopt effective, simple, fair and engaging language.
✓To use sentences, turns of phrase & expressions allowing to be precise, simple, effective & challenging.
✓To manage your personal & professional relationships with, for example, the preparation of your ratings.
✓Make your hypersensitivity a strength to tame your abilities.
✓Listening proactively and expressing / conveying ideas / message clearly.
✓Avoid letting your emotions show and propose a constructive solution to problems, while drawing on your own relational skills.
✓Be better equipped to recognize and immediately remedy situations that weaken their authority and affect their ability to communicate effectively.
✓Enhance their potential for expression and creativity (often underestimated until now) and 'apparent' sociability
✓Develop not necessarily self-confidence, but the 'appearance' of self-confidence, refine one's listening to respond adequately, open up to the resources of the imagination, free oneself from the rational to then structure one's speech.
✓Relate their communication objectives (project, institution, values, ideas, demands, etc.) to the form of their expression.
✓Learn and put into practice persuasive communication techniques and better understand the perception that others have of oneself. In order to improve his skills of 'self-presentation' and conveyed image.
✓Practical techniques to foster the engagement of the other party.
✓Strengthen the structure of its communication and develop a convincing argument in order to sell its ideas and projects.
✓ Optimizing internal and external relationships are professional fundamentals so that the structure of sessions, business dialogue and mastery of change communication are valuable.
✓ Decode advertisements, logos and slogans, Understand the impact of images and symbols on our emotions, Analyze cultural trends across the media, Create your own visual messages with formidable efficiency
✓ Analysis of non-verbal communication:
- paralinguistic level: voice analysis, intonations, speech rate (...)
- proxemic level: analysis of the distance between bodies/individuals
- kinesic level: analysis of postures, gestures and facial expressions
- infralinguistic level: analysis of physiological changes (dilation of pupils, blushing, sweating, etc.)
- symbolic level: analysis of what adorns the body such as clothing, badges, tattoos (...)

➤ The semiologist or semiotician is led to specialize in certain universes, whether it is luxury, mass consumption or behavioral and body dynamics. His analyst side (linguist, semantician, semiologist, semiotician) and lecturer on the themes of negotiation and non-verbal communication will support your approach.

➤ So, discover the hidden secrets of signs if you are curious to understand the mechanisms behind advertisements, works of art, films or even social networks, if you want to learn to decipher hidden messages and analyze the signs that influence our thoughts and actions on a daily basis. As part of a fun and interactive learning experience, with concrete exercises for a captivating immersion.

➤ In short, in a context guided by the tools of semiology, the ability to speak in public is today an essential transversal skill to assert oneself, inform, negotiate and convince. However, to master the keys to successful public communication, it is necessary to strengthen the impact of one's own speeches: by structuring one's interventions and taking into account the circumstances and expectations of the audience; by making an impression through storytelling; by integrating the psychological and emotional factors of effective oral communication; by integrating emotions into the preparation of the message and arguments; by anticipating objections and delicate situations; by preparing and structuring an attractive and convincing presentation framework; by experimenting with the rules of improvisation; by adequately managing difficult situations (...).

➤ Whether your goal is personal or professional, speaking is a predominantly physical activity, relying on a body, a voice, a breath, a rhythm (diction), an emotion and above all techniques, tools, a method, a know-how, reflecting the involvement of the speaker in his speech, all guided by the principles of semiology and behavioral analysis.

➤ So, how do you listen and be listened to, convince and be impactful, challenge and make an impression, enhance your content, address your audience appropriately and optimize the quality and clarity of the exchange/message? It is precisely about going through, implementing and deploying practical and effective techniques of oral presentation, simple intervention or 'one to one` exchange, aimed at challenging your audience or interlocutor, taking care of the content as well as the form, all in a professional or personal setting. For this, there are verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, based on semiology.

➤ Thus, mastered, the practical method allows, through a set of simulations and scenarios based on your daily experience supporting pragmatic & concrete techniques, to improve self-confidence, assurance, ease by overcoming embarrassment and controlling emotion in public. But also to work on leadership & charisma, in a context where empathy and emotional intelligence are at the service of communication, all based on the founding principles of semiology.

➤ To master the keys to successful public communication, it is necessary to master certain practical aspects of semiology, to strengthen the impact of your speeches: by structuring your interventions and taking into account the circumstances and expectations of the audience; by making an impression through storytelling; by integrating the psychological and emotional factors of effective oral communication; by integrating emotions into the preparation of the message and arguments; by anticipating objections and delicate situations; by preparing and structuring an attractive and convincing presentation framework; by experimenting with the rules of improvisation; by adequately managing difficult situations (...).

➤ In short, each session combines techniques & practical exercises adapted to your daily situations (filmed with your agreement in order to be reviewed, commented on, decoded together live), so that you can apply them immediately, and from the 1st session.

🚀 Discover the Hidden Secrets of Signs. Dive into the fascinating world of semiology with our practical training! Are you curious to understand the mechanisms behind written or oral communication? Learn to decipher hidden messages and analyze the signs that influence our thoughts and actions on a daily basis, with fun and interactive learning: Beyond theory, you will participate in concrete exercises, case studies to master the art of communication. Join us for a captivating immersion in one of the most exciting fields of human sciences!

THE TRAINER
➤ With training from Grande Ecole post-preparatory classes & Ivy League university in the United States, our teacher trainer has specialized and has worked for more than 15 years in the field, in Europe and North America, in renowned international public and private establishments, regularly speaking in forums and conferences, and also offering personalized INDIVIDUAL support, with pedagogy and careful methodology as the watchwords.

➤ PLACE, TIMETABLE, PRICES
✓ Locations: Geneva-Lausanne-Fribourg-Zurich-Neuchâtel-Lugano-Basel-Neuchâtel-Berne-Lucerne-Brussels-Luxembourg-Paris-Lyon. But currently, these sessions continue to be offered by videoconference in the current context and in accordance with general demand which is almost unanimous on this subject.

✓ Indeed, apart from the classic advantages of videoconferencing (time saving related to travel & their unforeseen events, eco-responsibility, increased schedule flexibility, etc.), the quality of the session & the interaction remain identical. In addition, the entire exchange, notes and recommendations are immediately transcribed on the dedicated chat.

✓ To support us among ourselves & to be pleasant to you in this sustainable / particular period and in a spirit of solidarity, the fees are temporarily reduced and will not increase after the start of our sessions.

✓ Languages: French/English.

✓ The progress following these private sessions is perceptible from 1 to 2 sessions (*2024 study).

✓ As other people do regularly, you can also please your loved ones by offering gift vouchers available all year round.

Cyril

5.0

(4)

In this class, you’ll level up your communication skills through creative, interactive, and practical language exercises designed for real-life situations. With a playful approach, I help students & professionals build confidence in public speaking, presentations, and clear expression of ideas.

Drawing from 7 years of experience as a tutor, trainer, breathwork facilitator and storyteller, my goal is to help you communicate naturally and speak with clarity in any setting. Ready to use your voice to get your points across?

Hope to see you soon in one of my classes! :)

Veronica

5.0

(4)

Languages are very important nowadays, and English and [language name] are two of the three most spoken languages in the world.
If you are interested in learning or improving languages, I am the perfect teacher for you.
With me you will not only learn the language but also the history and culture of their countries.

Wiktoria

5.0

(4)

Hello! My name is Tori.

Mein Online-Unterricht is an individual, interactive management and auf echte Kommunikation ausgerichtet. Ich unterrichte Englisch, Spanisch und Polnisch für Lernende aller Niveaus und passe jede Lektion an die persönlichen Ziele und die individuelle Lernweise meiner Schülerinnen und Schüler an. Zusätzlich unterrichte ich Chinesisch für Kinder und Anfängerinnen und Anfänger.

In my Unterricht konzentrieren wir uns darauf, Selbstvertrauen aufzubauen, die mündliche Kommunikation zu verbessern, den Wortschatz zu erweitern und die Grammatik auf natürliche und praktische Weise zu verstehen. Ich schaffe eine freundliche und unterstützende Atmosphäre, in der Fehler ein normaler und wichtiger Teil des Lernprozesses sind.

I don't have tools like Zoom and Google Classroom to organize, organize, and manage them effectively. Likewise, ob du deine Konversationsfähigkeiten verbessern, said auf Prüfungen vorbereiten, für Reisen oder die Arbeit lernen oder said einfach im Alltag sicherer in der Sprache fühlen möchtest – ich begleite dich Schritt für Schritt auf deinem Lernweg.

Jana

5.0

(4)

Hi there! My name is Jana and I am excited to be your tutor! I teach English, Business English, French and Italian but my professional background is in renewable energy, sustainability and public policy. I always saw languages as a tool to open new opportunities and will be happy to guide you on your journey to fluency. Over the years, I have worked as a mentor and educator, helping students and young professionals develop their confidence, communication skills and academic or professional goals. I particularly enjoy helping people become more comfortable speaking and expressing themselves in a foreign language. As a teacher, I prefer a conversational and personalised approach. Rather than relying on textbooks, I focus on real-life communication and creating a relaxed environment where students feel comfortable practicing and making progress. If that's something that resonates with you, I will be happy to see you in my class. I can also help with exam prep for IELTS, CAE, CPE, GMAT and GRE:)

Ecole

5.0

(4)

✅Practical sessions aimed at providing you with tools, techniques, methods and strategies to better formulate your messages, choose the right words and arguments, and more effectively obtain what you want, by understanding the psychology of your interlocutors and the mechanisms of human communication.

You're constantly negotiating—at work, with your family, in your relationships. The difference between reaching an agreement and remaining dissatisfied often lies in how things are said, the timing, and the other person's understanding. The goal is to learn to decode your interlocutors (their motivations, resistance, and ways of operating) and adapt your verbal and non-verbal communication to be better understood, without confrontation or power struggles, with finesse and efficiency, until these reflexes become second nature.

The approach integrates the analysis of behaviors, modes of expression, and verbal and non-verbal signals (semiotics, relational dynamics, profiles, and human reactions) to identify expectations, obstacles, and motivations. This allows for precise adjustment of communication and maximizes the impact of each interaction, whether in a professional or personal context.

Rather than generic techniques, it is about understanding the real functioning of the human being and adapting one's discourse to the person in front of: capturing attention, arousing curiosity, reducing resistance and triggering action.

Objective: to concretely increase your chances of obtaining the desired result, with efficiency, finesse and respect for others.

✅ THE TRAINER - TEACHER CONSULTANT
A graduate of a prestigious French Grande École and an Ivy League university in the United States, he combines academic rigor with modern teaching methods. With over 18 years of experience in Europe and North America, he has taught at prestigious international institutions (both public and private), and regularly speaks in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Canada, as well as at various forums and conferences.

A recognized specialist, he offers personalized and accessible support based on active listening, a proven methodology, and tailored teaching methods. Whether through one-on-one sessions, workshops, or group training, his approach combines customization, efficiency, and professionalism for rapid, visible results.

✅ LOCATIONS: Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Zurich, Neuchâtel, Lugano, Basel, Bern, Lucerne), Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi, Liège), Luxembourg. On request: France (Paris, Lyon) and Canada (Montreal).

Currently, we primarily use videoconferencing, a highly popular format: it offers the same quality as in-person meetings, flexible organization, time savings, flexibility, comfort, and an eco-friendly approach. Content, notes, and recommendations are shared directly via a dedicated chat.

➤ Languages: French and English.
➤ Reduced and stable fees, accessible without compromising on quality.
➤ Gift vouchers available all year round.
➤ Schedules defined together according to your constraints.
➤ 100% tailor-made program, adapted to each need.
➤ Noticeable progress from 2 sessions (2026 study).

✅ Why choose this training?
-International expertise at the service of your objectives.
-Personalized sessions with concrete tools.
-A lively, interactive and results-oriented approach.
-A motivating and supportive environment, fostering confidence and rapid progress.
-Tangible results in just a few sessions.

Silvia

5.0

(4)

### Learn Spanish with a Linguist and Translator

I am a linguist and translator with a passion for languages and communication, and I offer personalized Spanish lessons for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced students.

My lessons are adapted to your goals, interests, and learning pace. Whether you want to start learning Spanish from scratch, improve your conversation skills, strengthen your grammar and vocabulary, or gain confidence speaking Spanish, we will focus on what you need most.

I believe that learning a language should be practical, engaging, and enjoyable. Through conversation, real-life situations, useful vocabulary, pronunciation practice, and clear grammar explanations, you will develop the skills you need to communicate naturally and confidently.

Whether you are learning Spanish for travel, work, studies, personal interest, or simply because you love languages, I will create a supportive and relaxed environment where you can learn at your own pace.

**All levels are welcome — let’s make Spanish a language you enjoy speaking!**

Cynthia

5.0

(4)

I have recently finished my Master of Science at ETH and I am familiar with natural sciences and maths topics.
I fluently speak French (mother tongue), English, and Portuguese.
I offer language tutoring for English and French, as well as tutoring for science topics including Math, Chemistry and Physics.

Jonathan

5.0

(4)

Learn Spanish through the language you already know! We'll explore common sentence structures in your native language, then use those same patterns in Spanish. Build confidence, understand grammar naturally, and start speaking from day one.