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English as a Foreign Language

I grew up in Germany and attended university there. I studied English as a Foreign Language and Religious Education for 6 years (MA equivalent), in order to become a teacher of those subjects in Germany. However, I then moved to the UK for personal reasons and trained to become a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages instead.

Overview

Upon completion of my PGCE, I successfully undertook a part-time MA course in Education with the University of Cumbria. I was offered a PhD position after this, but instead of starting an academic career, I chose to start working in the classroom.

I undertook a teaching degree in Germany. I then moved to the UK and undertook a PGCE at the University of Lancaster. I started teaching in the UK in 2007. My first teaching post was at Westcliff High School for Boys. There, I taught mainly German, but also French, Spanish and Latin. I then moved to Southend High School for Boys in 2015, where I am the Head of the German department. Here, I also occasionally teach Spanish. In 2019, I was awarded the German Teacher of the Year award (an award from the Embassies of Germany, Austria and Switzerland). As part of my work at Southend High School for Boys, I am also involved in teacher training, and I am frequently a mentor for trainee teachers. Alongside my teaching, I also provide online lessons to students of all ages.