A language school is brought to life by its teachers. At speakeasy Berlin it's certainly the language teaching team who are responsible for delivering lessons by the speakeasy method – meaning practical, interactive, learning, focused on the individual needs of the students. And we like to think the language teaching team all embody the speakeasy spirit, just like the rest of the team at speakeasy – this means being warm, open-minded and fun.
The language teaching team creates the exciting interactive learning environment that we believe gets the best results. It's their jobs to make sure all students get the most they can from their classes – and have a good time doing so!
Our teachers themselves come from different backgrounds and have extensive experience teaching adults from around the world. Most of the language teaching team have taught at speakeasy for a long time, so they really are vital to what makes the school just what it is.
Ina
Born near the Polish border, I studied in Hamburg, St. Petersburg and Prague and for the past few months I’ve called Berlin my home. At speakeasy I teach German evening coursesand I am an assessor for the oral part of the telc exams. Before and after work I spend a lot of time in libraries, at my favourite spots in Mitte and also on the M10. On the weekends I always plan to work out…
Torsten
After studying Applied Theatre Studies (with a focus on literature) at university, I started off work as a dancer and an actor. After that, I spend a while working in publishing and the cultural sector.
During this time I managed an agency for artists and studied German as a Foreign language at the Goethe-Institute, from there I went to Brazil and taught German and English. Further stops of my life: born in the German Sauerland, lived and studied in Marburg, Gießen, Köln, Berlin, Sao Paulo, Paris…
Since coming back from South America, I work as a German teacher and Yoga instructor.
Yvonne
Hi. My name is Yvonne. I was born in a town called Halle/Saale about 2 ½ hours south of Berlin (on a good day on the Autobahn). But the last 17 years, I have lived, studied, worked in the USA (e.g. California, Oregon/Washington, and Montana) and taught world literature, film and German language classes. As a language teacher, I encourage learners to become both part of a learning (and the Speakeasy Berlin) community to discover nuances of German language, culture and customs together. I believe that learning a foreign language such as German should be fun and that we (learners and teachers alike) can always learn from each other. I am looking forward to meeting you.
Claudia
My name is Claudia. What do I love about teaching? That the world meets in my classroom! I succeed in creating a positive and motivating atmosphere which even makes my students enjoy German grammar a little bit. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Hanna
The German language has been my passion and profession for many years. After studying German Philology, Italian and philosophy in Germany and Italy, I started working as an editor and a German teacher. I started working for speakeasy Berlin in October 2017.
Due to my own time abroad, I know only too well that the language of a new country is the key to a whole new world: to its people, its culture, its history and its present. It is therefore the door to personal plans, wishes and hopes which we connect to this new world. I will happily support and accompany you for a part of your journey here in Germany.
Lea
My name is Lea, I’m from and I’ve already lived in Berlin for some years. I studied German Philology and I enjoy reading, writing and dancing. Because I am very curious, I very much enjoy the exchange between many different people in my classroom and it is very exciting for me to accompany you during the process of your language learning. It’s fun to make my classes as true-to-life as possible – but my nerdy side has a keen interest for grammar which especially shows in the more advanced courses 😊.
Maarten
Hallo! This is also how we greet each other in the Netherlands where I was born. As a Dutchman, I know what it means to learn German as a foreign language. I love languages, I studied ‘German Language and Culture’ and discovered Berlin in the process. I love this open and diverse city very much. I’ve lived here since 2014 with my German wife and since 2017 also with our two daughters. They are also learning German now – and hopefully also a little bit of Dutch!
Nadine
I love languages, which is why I studied the principles of teaching foreign languages and later a Master in audiovisual translation. After stopping in Uruguay, Spain, Gießen and Frankfurt, I arrived in Berlin in 2017 for the second time. This time it’s to stay and to teach you German at speakeasy. Come round!
Jaco
Born in the marshes of the Ems Delta, I have always dreamed of faraway lands and unfamiliar people. Now, I get to travel every day without leaving the classroom. You bring your world to my doorstep and let me look at my chosen home, Berlin, through a stranger’s sharp eyes. I take pleasure in entering the fray of foreign languages, and in exchange I will familiarise you with German: a positive sum game. Knock on my door and together we will go out into a world that is described anew.
Annika
Hi! My name is Annika. After studying German language and literature at uni and spending some time teaching abroad, I now live in Berlin. Since 2015, I have taught German in the speakeasy classrooms as well as at several companies. If you fancy not only learning about the present and past tense but also about cook books, German beer and discovering Berlin, just come down to speakeasy! I look forward to meeting you all!
