TEAM

Discovering a language, enjoying it, feeling comfortable learning it - that's what you need the right trainer for. The very first encounter focuses on the perfect participant-trainer-match. That's Language-Academy: harmony between participant and teacher is essential. The very year we started we understood that our team is the key factor for our customers' success. And that's us: a creative team, committed, diverse and blessed with a great sense of humour, made up of individuals as unique as your demands!

Rebecca, Coach My name is Rebecca and it is my pleasure to introduce myself! I come from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I grew up in the USA. I have lived in America, Europe, South America, and Australia and I am passionate about people, languages, and cultural diversity. My primary focus is to strategically train native German speakers in the English language so they can be successful in the global business environment. I have a business degree in global business management and an interest and understanding in the corporate world. I have worked in a variety of international environments and I enjoy handing over my experience and I know how important it is to be able to communicate! I have a beautiful family and a sweet little dog, both of whom I adore. Germany is our home and bridging cultures and language training is my passion.

Sadya, Coach Sadya, a native speaker, has studied and taught languages in mulitiple international settings in Europe, Latin America, and the U.S.A. "First and foremost, I believe that learning a foreign language can and should be fun! In my lessons, I use an array of traditional teaching methods - however, conversation plays a key role. By 'actively' speaking a language, all aspects are implemented: grammar, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation. You, the student, will learn to overcome your inhibitions and have a chance to talk, talk, talk..."

Ingrid, Coach I am an English speaking teacher originating from South Africa. I graduated with a Higher Diploma of Education from the Johannesburg College of Education. Even though I have spent more than half of my life in Germany, my passion for speaking English and passing on English language skills is fulfilling and exciting and continues to grow by the day. I enjoy teaching English at all levels. In my lessons priority is to keep the energy level high in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Focusing on goals and needs of the course participants, I take into consideration the individual strengths and weaknesses when choosing methods and activities. By using job-related, authentic materials, e.g. Emails, presentations, reports, leaflets, worksheets etc., the participant's interest and eagerness to learn is enhanced. At the same time I make sure that there is plenty of opportunity for collaborative task work and speaking practice. My main objective for all my course participants is to improve their language capacity effectively, so that they can communicate comfortably and with self-confidence in business as well as in day to day social situations.

Katja, Coach I come from St. Petersburg, Russia, and I am a qualified English teacher having over 8 years of training experience with adults. My teaching credo is "you can never stop learning a language". Even being a native speaker, you may every now and again come across words that you've never heard before. While teaching my students, I continue learning the language myself and try to encourage them to feel this endlessness of the language and not be afraid of it. I love having a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere in my classes and enjoy playing grammar games a lot.

Signe, Coach Signe works as a photographer and journalist. She has lived and travelled throughout the United States and England. "Together we will explore the English language and look at and discuss the cultural, social and political trends and developments in American society."

Dürthen, Coach Today knowledge of a foreign language is a great advantage and an essential asset. During my stay in England I received extensive schooling; as a result I was able to obtain certificates from the University of Cambridge and the London Chamber of Commerce. Afterwards I spent many years in an environment where English was the main language , including several years in the USA. I enjoy sharing my experience, and hope to increase your confidence and improve your understanding of the English Language.

Lorraine, Coach I was born and raised in the USA in a small New England town in Massachusetts. After high school and a four-month stay in Munich at the Goethe-Institut, I attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where I earned my bachelor's degree in German. Before beginning work on a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in South Carolina, I spent two years as an exchange student at the Pädagogische Hochschule in Freiburg. This wonderful city is where my teaching career in ESL began. Although I returned to the US to earn the M.A.T. and become a qualified middle and high school teacher (grades 7-12), my heart was always here in Germany and so I gave up my teaching position at school and returned as soon as possible. My area of concentration and what I love doing most is preparing students for Cambridge Exams: BEC (Preliminary, Vantage, Higher), FCE, CAE, CPE. What's most important to me in a non-exam training is that the participants are happy and that they've chosen the topics themselves.

Verena, Administration My colleague Brigitte and I are your contact persons in the back office. It will be my pleasure to assist you in planning your classes and to help you with everything related to organization during your training as well. Ever since I finished my training as a European Secretary I have been working in the administrative part of marketing units or the unit management in the pharmaceutical industry and real estate agencies. Now I am delighted to contribute my expertise in organizing in an efficient and customer-focused way at Language-Academy. We'll be looking forward to your call!

Medi, Coach Every person has a different history of learning, an individual rhythm, and individual preferences and goals. For these reasons it is very important to me to present a concept of teaching that is many-sided and adapted to individual needs, making language learning a fun process, and one which leads to rapid success! Graduate in German Language Studies in Munich; many years of residence and teaching in Asia and America.

William-Cody, Coach William Cody Maher is a native San Franciscan. He is a writer, actor, and traveler. For the past 4 years he has been conducting entertaining discussions and challenging his participants to think in creative new ways: both within and outside of their profession.

Celine, Coach Learning and commanding a foreign language like English is getting more and more necessary especially in professional life. Therefore my effort is to give especially people, who need English in their professional life, an understanding of English as a foreign language in a individual and practical way and to provide them with important qualifications which they can build upon. As a certified TEFL trainer with over 10 years of experience and long stays in the USA, South America and South East Asia I have laid the best foundations for creating highly qualified, individualized language trainings with the focus on Business English, grammar, conversation and pronunciation.

Yulia, Coach I have always been intrigued by different languages and cultures and it is a pleasure to share this enthusiasm. To me, language is far more than an instrument. It's the key to a culture. In an atmosphere of confidence that encourages the participants to speak we treat topics from recent language learners' magazines and textbooks. I address the participants' wishes making language acquisition a fascinating challenge. It is my goal to make the participants speak more confidently in the foreign language.

Lenka, Coach I am from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. As a language coach and native Czech speaker, I highlight the importance of communication and comprehension abilities that facilitate integration into Czech society and the working environment. Grammar is also an important part of my lessons, of course. I am convinced that every single language has a unique way of expression and fosters an equally unique way of thinking. Therefore, a complete understanding of another culture is not possible without learning its language. In my lessons I try among other things to address the wishes and needs of the students. I hold a Bachelor's degree in economic management and a Master's degree in International Relations and the European Union from the Metropolitan University of Prague.

Colleen, Coach After completing my degree in Performing Arts in 2000, I headed north from my home country of South Africa to see what the UK had to offer. The years that followed were merrily spent performing on stages and in streets, running away with the circus, and facilitating in various creative projects and workshops across the UK and Ireland. A strange twist of fate brought me back to Cape Town in 2005, where I completed the TEFL certification, went back to University, and achieved an Honours Degree in Applied Theatre and Theatre Pedagogy. Now, after nearly 6 years of teaching English, I still enjoy bringing my creative background into my training sessions. Having fun is integral to any learning process, as is curiosity and enthusiasm. I therefore aim to create a space where participants can feel both engaged and intrigued by the language. To be able to converse in English is one thing, but to also be excited by the language is my wish for all my participants.

Petra, Coach "Teachers are persons whose task it is to support others in acquiring education or training." From wikipedia.de (our translation) Based on this tenet, the participant and his individual goals and personality are always the centre of my classes. The result is a very close cooperation, which is not only productive but also a pleasure - both for the learning and for the teaching partner. My prime concern is to convey the foreign language not only as a means of communication, but to integrate it into the learner's personality and his or her very own language. This is how I do my utmost to accompany the learner on his/her way into the foreign culture. Tertiary education: German studies and Catholic Theology in Freiburg, Germany. State examination in 1984.

Marion, Coach I am a translator in English and French, and I have altogether three years' experience in various European countries. I have been working as a language and communications trainer in adult education for 15 years. An atmosphere of trust and cooperation with the participants is important to me. In this way we can clearly and precisely set out the participants' individual goals right at the start of training. Pursuing these goals with sensitivity towards personalities and cultures, and with humour, humanity, and understanding, leads to satisfaction and success for both trainer and participants.

Kerstin, Coach "With every new language you open up another window to the world." Quote from George Steiner, our translation To live in another country, to learn its language from scratch or to improve your proficiency is always a challenge. Did I really understand my interlocutor? What's the appropriate response? Am I really saying what I want to say? To relate to the participant's real life in classes in order to create the most authentic learning environment, to tailor my teaching methods to the participant and to make headway quickly - those are core aspects of my classes. German studies and special needs education at the University of Hamburg, Germany.

Brigitte, Coach "The best way out is always through." Robert Frost After graduating with a degree in German and Art History from the Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, I moved to Vienna where I devoted my time to studying Linguistics and Romance Philology. Following my time in Austria, my feelings of wanderlust made my feet itch and so I journeyed to Indian and Southeast Asia. I have been teaching German for many years now and still experience new aspects in each and every course. What is always in focus is the participant and their training wishes. Facilitating the learning process is very rewarding and the give and take that happens makes the course an enjoyable experience.

Matthias, Coach My name is Matthias. I have graduated as a German and English Major from University of Mannheim in 2014. Languages and Literature are among my passions. In my classes fun, motivation and a positive ambience are of major importance to me. In my opinion, success in learning comes with practical rather than theoretical work. I consider learning in context both easier to teach and memorize. Thus my classes are more about speaking, discussions and concrete practical exercises.

Frank, Coach Frank is a native speaker born, raised and educated in Ireland. He moved to Heidelberg in 1980. Together with an English friend he opened a live music venue in Heidelberg which soon established itself as a meeting point for the English speaking community. As a songwriter he has released several albums. He also works as a text writer, proof reader and blogger for an international Irish company and co - hosts a regular culture, music and spoken word, bilingual Talk Show called The Gaslight Cafe at the TiKK Theater in Heidelberg. “Words play a vital part in all Irish people’s lives. As a race we are renowned for our ability to communicate and have a reputation for being creative and innovative in our use of the English language. In my classroom we will fine tune what you already know through stimulating conversation. Learn how to deal confidently with everyday business and social situations both formal and informal. Discover new creative ways to approach the English language and have a lot of fun in the process.”