Learn English with Annchen Doherty

Speak English clearly — be heard, be understood

✅ The 10 most challenging English sounds explained

✅ Tips to position your mouth, lips, and tongue correctly

✅ Practice exercises for every sound (with audio files)

✅ A breakdown of common mistakes

✅ Expert tips to speak more clearly and naturally

💡 Recently updated (2025) !

I am an English coach with over 14 years of experience helping non-native English speakers feel confident and natural when they speak. Having lived in South Africa, Spain, Morocco, Syria, Palestine and Oman, and fluent in several languages, I bring a practical, multicultural approach to mastering English pronunciation.

Hi, I’m Annchen Doherty, an English coach based in Terrassa, Spain.

I help non-native speakers around the world transform the way they communicate in English to achieve success in international environments.

My language journey

I was born in South Africa, surrounded by many languages. My family spoke English, but I learned Afrikaans and German at school, and then studied Xhosa and French. When I moved to Spain over 20 years ago, I learnt Spanish and Catalan and over a decade ago, I started my Arabic learning journey.

Throughout this journey, I discovered a key lesson: language immersion is essential. I realized that the languages I could hear and practice daily—like Afrikaans, Xhosa, Spanish, Catalan and Arabic —stuck with me far more than those I only studied in class. This insight now shapes the way I teach.

My method

My coaching approach focuses on creating real immersion, even for learners who don’t live in an English-speaking country. Together, we find ways to bring English into your daily life so you can learn more naturally and effectively.

I also emphasize pronunciation, which is often neglected in traditional language teaching. My own experience learning Arabic taught me how a small pronunciation error can change the meaning entirely and prevent you from being understood. That’s why I help my clients master the key sounds of English, so they can speak with clarity and confidence.

Real-world experience

After graduating in English and Political Science, I began my career as a national spokesperson in South Africa. It was a challenging and enriching role that strengthened my communication skills. I then spent over ten years working in communications for international companies and NGOs in Spain. I also studied a Master’s degree in Spanish. These years gave me a deep, personal understanding of what it truly means to work, study, and succeed in a language that isn’t your own.

Personal coaching that works

The fastest and most effective way to improve your English is through personalized coaching tailored to your unique needs. Everyone has a different background, learning style, and set of goals—and that’s exactly what my approach takes into account. Together, we’ll build a program that focuses on your challenges and aspirations, with a strong emphasis on real-life immersion, confidence-building, and clear, accurate pronunciation. I’ll help you move forward step by step with practical tools, motivation, and expert guidance.

Testimonials

Annchen is very professional, well-prepared, supportive and fully committed to her students. Each class is engaging and dynamic, and her personalised guidance and feedback have significantly helped me improve my grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.My experience with Annchen has been invaluable, not only for continuously developing my English communication skills but also for boosting my confidence in speaking in English.

Elena Santos

IT Professional

I have been working with Annchen for over a year. When I started, I was looking for someone to help me improve my English fluency and confidence. Despite studying English for many years and using it daily at work, I still felt insecure in certain situations and often made basic grammar mistakes. Annchen understood my concerns and identified the areas I needed to work on. Together, we focused on these issues through practical activities and exercises. Additionally, she has been incredibly helpful whenever I have a presentation or meeting at work.

Cristina Nuñez

Healthcare Professional