Instructors
Meet the instructors of the SkillBuilder Workshop.
Dr Karkos Petra
University Law Lecturer, Child Rights Legal Specialist & Youth Coach Founder of SkillBuilder
I completed my studies at Eötvös Loránd University and at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Over the past decade, I have worked as a law lecturer at Budapest Business School and the International Business School (IBS). I currently teach at IBS as a Senior Law Lecturer and Module Leader. Alongside my university work, I spent several years at a skills development academy working with high school students, focusing on the practical development of communication skills and legal thinking.
Throughout my years of experience in education, it has become clear to me that many students entering university struggle significantly with key skills such as communication, argumentation, collaboration, and public speaking.
I firmly believe that the early and conscious development of these skills is essential for success in higher education and for young people’s ability to navigate their professional and personal paths with confidence. Conscious and empathetic communication not only improves academic and professional performance, but also lays the foundation for a balanced, confident adulthood.
Jamil Toptsi
Linguistics Researcher and Educator, PhD Candidate
I am an educator from the United States who has been living and working in Hungary since 2016. During this time I have mainly worked at the university level with English majors and teacher trainees at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), teaching courses focusing on the development of academic and presentation skills. I also have experience teaching Business English at the Budapest Business School (BGE).
In addition to my main academic line of work, I have also taught students of all ages as a private tutor. Together, these opportunities have provided me with a wealth of pedagogical experience.
In the SkillBuilder course, I will be leading the public speaking and presentation skills sessions. In line with my overall teaching philosophy, I aim to make these sessions as practical and relevant as possible, equipping students with the knowledge and competencies they need to become effective communicators, ready to meet the challenges of today’s world.
Monika Ford
University Lecturer, English Language Teacher, Teacher Trainer
I am a native English-speaking teacher and teacher trainer with over 30 years of experience working with students of all levels and nationalities. I currently teach at Eötvös Loránd University and have worked in a wide range of educational settings in Hungary and in the UK.
I see my teaching as student-centered, and I try to help learners develop skills they can use in their studies and everyday lives. I am particularly interested in new technologies, including how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support teaching and learning, and I enjoy showing students how to use these tools responsibly, critically, and creatively. In the summer, I regularly run AI-based workshops at the University of Oxford.
When I am not teaching, you will most likely find me travelling to new places, singing in my local choir, and spending a lot of time in playgrounds, looking after my grandson.