Case Studies: Teachers

What languages do you teach and why did you choose teaching as your career?

I teach French, German, and Farsi, as well as European History to private students of all levels. Teaching was not a career choice, but rather a second occupation for which I have a passion.

Where did you study, how long have you been teaching, and what age group do you usually teach?

I have taught for the past twenty-five years, with students ranging between 18 and 45 years old. I studied at the London School of Economics & Political Science, obtaining my Master’s degree in International Development. After, I studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris for a post-graduate diploma in ‘Langue et Civilization Francaises’; the Goethe Institue and Akademie fuer Fremsprachen in Berlin to obtain ‘Das Grosse Diplom in Deutsch als Fremdsprache’; and finally at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles for a full post-graduate degree in Spanish Language and Literature. All were degrees in language.

What do you look for in a student?

I look primarily for interest, enthusiasm, and the recognition that learning a new language is a manner of getting closer to people whose culture is unknown to us, in order to broaden our horizon in life.

What should students expect in you as a teacher?

Students should expect interest in teaching, an ability to motivate them to learn and to help them appreciate the value of learning as a whole –and an appreciation for learning languages in particular.

Describe your favorite aspect of working for Language Trainers:

I have enjoyed the discipline and understanding experienced in all aspects of working with Language Trainers, including inquiries via telephone or email, request for relevant information and the like. Their team is extremely helpful. I certainly look forward to further assignments in the future!