I was born and grew up in Northern Ireland. At the age of eighteen I left the island and went to study at the University of Bangor in North Wales. I graduated there in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree (Hons.)in German. Inspired by my stay as an exchange student at the University of Tübingen followed by a one-year period of study as a DAAD scholarship holder at the University of Freiburg I decided to move to Germany long term in 1978. Since then I have worked as a freelance English language trainer and translator for numerous companies and institutions. My work as a language trainer brings me into contact with people from all works of life and from all corners of the globe, which means my life at work is always exciting.
Teaching experience
I like to work with beginners just as much as with advanced students and I am always happy when I manage to encourage and motivate the most hesitant of learners. Over the years I have learned to quickly familiarize myself with whichever technical language my customers need to express themselves, be it of an economic, legal, technical or scientific nature so as a trainer I often have the impression that I am also learning while teaching. Besides English as my native language I also speak German and French fluently and I can also understand Spanish as long as Spanish speakers do not talk to me too fast.
