Yamkela Lusithi

Professional Summary

Language and literacy educator and researcher currently completing a B. Ed Honours with a focus on academic language practices in educational institutions. Experienced in qualitative research, academic writing support, and digital pedagogy. Merges a background in foundation phase literacy with web development to build platforms that enhance educational access and academic writing skills.

Core Competencies

• Excellent communication
• Attentive listening skills
• Excellent research skills
• Excellent lesson planning
• Individualized learning
• ESL/EFL Teaching

Work Experience

• One-on-One learner evaluations
• Curriculum Alignment
• Excellent lesson planning
• Individualized Learning
• CEFR & CAPS
• ESL / EFL Teaching

Educational Technology Developer (Freelance) — Remote (Jun 2024 – Present)

• Designing and building interactive, mobile-first web platforms supporting teaching, learning, and academic skills using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React.js.
• Developed MoneySave Jr, a financial literacy site for young learners with animated budget planners and responsive UI.
• Developed TheAcademics, a writing support hub for university students offering research content and advanced filtering.
• Built the "FNB Chatbot Simulation," a web-based learning experience demonstrating banking chatbot functions.

Volunteer Foundation Phase Teacher — Ndabankulu J.S.S, Eastern Cape (Jan 2024 – Dec 2024)

• Taught English and Literacy to Grade R–3 learners using interactive, learner-centered pedagogy.
• Improved reading fluency by 30% via phonics-based differentiated instruction.
• Integrated Google Classroom and Zoom for blended learning.
• Piloted an online phonics toolkit with PowerPoint, audio prompts, and micro lessons.

Education

B. Ed Hons – Language, Literacies & Literature (Part-Time)
University of Johannesburg | Expected Dec 2026

• Research: “Digital Literacies and Language Learning in Multilingual South African Classrooms”
• Focus: Applied linguistics, multimodal literacy, and digital pedagogy

Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase Teaching)
Walter Sisulu University

Training and Certifications

• Fundamentals of English Grammar – UniAthena, CIQ, UK (Dec 2024)
• Certificate in Full Stack Development – FNB App Academy (Jul 2025)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 4IR – University of Johannesburg (May 2025)
• TEFL Certificate (120 Hours) – Teacher Record (Aug 2024)
• SACE Registration Certificate – South African Council for Educators (Jul 2024)

Technical Skills

• EdTech Integration: Google Classroom, Zoom, Kahoot, MS Teams
• Research Tools: DOAJ, Google Scholar, Survey tools
• Design: Responsive UI for Educational Platforms
• Platforms: Canva, Google Workspace, Grammarly, Overleaf

Projects

Financial Literacy Educational Website

https://yamkela4458.github.io/MoneySave-Jr/

• Interactive educational site teaching financial literacy to primary learners.
• Lesson-aligned tools: digital savings jars, weekly planning charts, budgeting simulations.
• Focus on learning through play, habit formation, and contextualized financial education.

Educational Website for University Students

https://yamkela4458.github.io/TheAcademics/

• Responsive platform offering curated academic writing and research materials.
• Features include advanced search and filtering to enhance accessibility.
• Collaborated with educators and students for usability improvements.

Hobbies & Interests

• Creative Writing and Reading: Passionate about language and literature to enrich classroom discussions and student engagement.
• Educational Technology Exploration: Enthusiastic about EdTech tools and digital learning platforms to enhance lesson delivery.
• Outdoor Activities and Nature Walks: Promote mindfulness and environmental awareness, often incorporated into themed lessons.
• Volunteering and Community Outreach: Active in youth mentorship and literacy programs for language learning and cultural exchange.