Case Studies: Teachers>

Welcome, Fabrizio! Thanks for agreeing to this interview. Can you give me a quick summary of your teaching history and background? How did you come to teach with Language Trainers?

Fabriio: Yes, of course! I was born and raised in a German-speaking country. I first discovered my interest in modern languages in high school, and later continued my studies at college. I decided to become a teacher because the career offers a variety of fun ways to simultaneously learn and teach, while also building meaningful relationships with students from all walks of life. So, I took several classes in teaching foreign languages to maximize my ability to teach and interact with students, and now I teach German regularly. I wanted to work with Language Trainers because the company offers great flexibility: lesson times and locations can be chosen by the teacher, in agreement with the student; likewise, materials can be determined by the teacher in order to best cater to the needs of each student. Language Trainers are very transparent as to what they expect and what they're able to provide. And whenever I am in need of advice, their response time is fast and they provide plenty of helpful hints.

We are always happy to help such hard-working and successful teachers, like yourself, Fabrizio! It sounds like we have really cultivated a great place for teachers to find good working opportunities and support, but why would you recommend students to study with Language Trainers instead of any of the other language schools around?

Students should enroll in language classes with Language Trainers because the course programs offer maximum flexibility and good matching between teachers and students (whenever the chemistry is not there, things can be reshuffled). This is made possible by the efficient monitoring by Language Trainers’ in-house staff of both the students and teachers, which includes, among other things, regularly asking for feedback as to how classes are progressing.

You mentioned student-teacher matching there. Are there any particular traits you look for in the ideal student?

The main feature I personally look for in a student is his or her willingness and eagerness to learn. As long as students come to class motivated, it becomes so much easier for the teacher to meaningfully cater to their needs.

I agree completely! And what about the reverse? What can students expect from you in return for their dedication?

Students can expect from me a high level of preparation and experience. They'll be helped whether they're attempting to learn a language for pleasure or professional reasons, whether they view themselves as slow or fast learners, whether they're more laid back or very ambitious. In other words, I have learned over the years to adjust my approach to each student’s personality, expectations, and talents.

And is there anything in particular you like to teach your students? A fun or interesting phrase, perhaps?

Since quite a few of my beginner students resort to the standard answer of "no clue!" when asked about something in German, I love to teach them that, in German, we say "Keine Ahnung!" or "Ich habe keine Ahnung!" which draws a chuckle from most of them.

Can you tell us your most memorable experience with Language Trainers?

I have had several memorable teaching experiences while working with Language Trainers. But my most rewarding moments have been with those students who come to our lessons with a sense of achievement after having used their skills to understand their friends by communicating in German. Whenever a student gets positive confirmation outside the classroom from their own peers that they've noticed an improvement, and then they come back to class and relate that to me, it tells me that we're on the right track and getting closer to the student’s envisioned goal.