Communication sits at the heart of every successful school, university and family.
Whether you’re a university seeking an inspiring professor, a parent trying to reconnect with your teenager, a teacher looking to engage your students or a student preparing for interviews and presentations, better communication creates better outcomes.
With over 25 years’ experience as a university professor, communication expert, behaviour analyst and former journalist, I design practical, engaging and evidence-informed workshops, training programmes and keynote talks.
Every programme is tailored to your audience and can be delivered in person across France and the UK or online worldwide.
Schools and universities
With over two decades of teaching experience, I deliver professional development, guest lectures and specialist training in both English and French for schools, universities, business schools and communication schools. Combining academic expertise with real-world experience, I also help teachers strengthen communication, build confidence, increase engagement and navigate challenging situations more effectively.
Families
My workshops and coaching sessions help parents and parent associations better understand adolescent behaviour, communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships at home
Meet Dr Beth Dawson
Dr. Beth Dawson is widely regarded by both her peers and students as an inspirational teacher and mentor. Since completing her PhD, she has been engaged in teaching at universities and higher education institutions in France and Belgium for over 25 years. In 2016, she introduced two courses to the Sorbonne University, Paris: “An Introduction to Journalism in English” and “Non-verbal Communication,” both of which have been running successfully for the past ten years.
Her students frequently highlight her passion and knowledge for her subjects and her good-humoured nature. One student from the Sorbonne said, “Beth has been one of the most inspiring and attentive teachers during my time here. Her teaching methods and wonderful personality are what I remember most about her. Thank you, Beth, for sharing your passion for journalism with me!” – Victoria Veronese, 2019.
Beth’s courses at the Sorbonne have received praise as “exceptional” and “unique” in terms of content and delivery.
Schools and universities
'Beth is such a good speaker and she is very knowledgeable. Her classes are inspiring and very often funny. The exercises we do on a daily basis are both educational and engaging and she always makes sure that the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.' – Thaïs P, Ecole W, 2025
For Students
The Student Speaking Cup Challenge™
Build confidence. Improve public speaking. Have fun!
Ideal for: higher education students, international schools and English programmes.
Also, particularly valuable for non-native English speakers looking to communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact in English.
Inspired by international public speaking competitions, The Student Speaking Cup Challenge™ helps young people develop confidence, communication skills and leadership potential in a fun, supportive and engaging environment.
Media Minds™
Understanding media, influence and the stories that shape our world
Ideal for: higher education students, media students, English students
In a world of social media, influencers and 24-hour news, young people need the skills to think critically about the information they consume and create.
This interactive programme explores journalism, media literacy, storytelling and communication, helping students become more confident communicators and critical thinkers.
Future Ready™
Communication skills for study, work and life
Ideal for: higher education students, universities, business schools and career-focused programmes.
Strong communication skills are among the most sought-after skills in education and employment. These practical workshops help students develop confidence, presentation skills, interview techniques and professional communication skills that will support them throughout their academic and professional journeys.
Topics covered:
- Presentation and public speaking skills
- Interview preparation
- Networking and professional communication
- Confidence and personal impact
- Storytelling and self-presentation
- Building credibility and influence
One-to-one coaching
Ideal for: university students, sixth-form students, international students and non-native English speakers.
Personalised coaching to help students develop confidence, communicate with impact and prepare for the next stage of their academic and professional journey. Whether you’re applying to university, preparing for interviews or presentations, or making important decisions about your future, Beth provides practical guidance tailored to your individual goals. She also supports students with higher education choices, university applications and personal statements, and is pleased to provide references for students she has taught or coached.
90-minute coaching session: €150
Coaching packages: From €400 (three sessions)
Teaching and guest lecturing
Dr Beth Dawson is available to teach undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes in universities, business schools, communication schools and journalism programmes in France and the UK.
- Areas of teaching include:
- Communication sciences
- Public speaking and presentation skills
- Media training and journalism
- Behavioural analysis and body language
- Leadership communication
- Media literacy and critical thinking
- English communication for international students
Beth has taught at leading French institutions including Sorbonne University and École W and is available for guest lectures, workshops, short courses and semester-long teaching assignments.
'Professor Dawson’s teaching approach is something that is very rare and precious in the French educational system. She is a dedicated teacher, who obviously knows her subject, and conveys her knowledge in creative, fun, and engaging ways. She takes the time to get to know her students and shows nothing but friendliness and respectfulness towards them. I also really appreciate the diversity and originality of assignments as I usually get bored with doing the same things over and over again, but she manages to make her classes so interesting! Overall, she is, at the same time, a person full of empathy and humanity, and a competent professor.' – Iman Florentin (from LinkedIn) 2022-2023
For teachers
Teaching has never been more demanding.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in education, I help teachers build the communication and classroom presence that foster positive behaviour, increase student engagement and strengthen relationships with both students and parents.
My practical, evidence-informed workshops combine the latest communication research with real classroom experience, giving educators strategies they can implement immediately.
Popular workshops include:
- Reading the room: body language and classroom presence
- Storytelling in the classroom
- Behaviour, communication and student engagement
- Communication skills for educators
Every workshop is tailored to your school’s objectives and can be delivered in either English or French.
Outcomes
Teachers leave with practical tools to communicate more effectively, manage challenging situations with greater confidence, strengthen classroom relationships and create learning environments where students feel engaged, motivated and ready to succeed.
'Beth was my mentor at École W, and I couldn't have asked for better support. Her advice, encouragement and expertise were invaluable throughout my teaching. She is engaging, knowledgeable and genuinely supportive, delivering thoughtful feedback with warmth and tact.' – Lorraine, Teacher at Ecole W, 2026
For families
Parenting teenagers can be one of life’s most rewarding – and challenging – experiences. As children grow, communication evolves, misunderstandings become more common and many parents find themselves wondering how to stay connected without constant conflict.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in communication, behaviour and education, I help parents better understand their teenagers, navigate difficult conversations and build stronger, healthier relationships.
I deliver engaging workshops, keynote speeches and tailored sessions for schools, parent associations and individual families.
Popular topics include:
- Reducing conflict and improving communication
- Help! I don’t understand my teen!
- Helping teenagers develop resilience and independence
- Supporting teen mental health through better communication
- Understanding teenage behaviour and building trust
Whether I’m speaking to an audience of hundreds or working one-to-one with families, my goal is always the same: to provide practical, evidence-informed strategies that parents can put into practice immediately, helping them communicate with greater confidence and strengthen relationships at home.
One-to-one coaching
Ideal for: parents, teenagers (13+) and families.
Every family experiences communication challenges from time to time. Whether you’re navigating adolescence, rebuilding trust after conflict or simply looking to communicate more effectively, personalised coaching can help. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies to reduce conflict, strengthen relationships and help every family member feel heard, understood and respected.
Sessions can be tailored for parents, teenagers or joint parent–teen coaching.
90-minute coaching session: €150
Coaching packages: From €400 (3 sessions)
'A huge thank you to Beth! I reached out to her when facing decisions to be made between a couple of different colleges (secondary schools) for my son. The deadline was tight but Beth was highly accommodating and made herself available at very short notice, grasping our concerns and priorities immediately. She has extensive knowledge of a large number of establishments, and was able to give us clear comparisons and thoughtful insights to help us weigh up pros and cons. The fact that she’s lovely to talk to also helps immensely in what can be quite a stressful moment!' – Tracy, Paris client, 2025
FAQs
1. Do you offer one-off sessions or ongoing mentoring?
Both. Some people book a single session to prepare for an important presentation, interview or assignment, while others prefer ongoing mentoring over several weeks or months. You decide what level of support best suits your needs.
2. What makes your mentoring different?
My mentoring combines more than two decades of university teaching with experience as a journalist, media commentator and communication consultant. Alongside academic support, I help you become a clearer, more confident communicator – skills that will benefit you long after your studies are over.
3. Can you develop bespoke courses or teach existing programmes?
Yes. I can both design original curricula and deliver existing courses. From communication and media training to leadership, behaviour, emotional intelligence and presentation skills, I create learning experiences that are academically rigorous, highly engaging and tailored to your objectives. Whether you need a single guest speaker, a semester-long module or an ongoing teaching partner, I can help. I work with schools, universities, businesses and professional organisations to develop programmes that are relevant, interactive and rooted in real-world communication.
