TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Michèle Müller

“I did a degree in Spanish in Pau, the city where I was born which is in the Pyrenees in South West France. I met and married my husband in Barcelona in 1980 and have been living here ever since. I have 2 children that speak French, Spanish and Catalan. I also speak Catalan and have the Level C certificate. It is a language that I like a lot and try to practice every day. I worked in France for 3 years as a teacher in both junior and senior schools . I have been working for ICL in Barcelona for 19 years. I love my job and the opportunity that it has given me to get to know the people from this region who are so friendly. In my free time I read a lot, above all historical novels and non-fiction. I also like cinema especially independent films. I enjoy sports and go for walks in the mountains every weekend which fills me with energy! "

Sandrine Heilig

“I am French and have lived in different French regions, so it is always a little difficult for me to answer when I am asked where I come from. To tell the truth I feel like I am more from Barcelona than from anywhere else. My professional career is not the most typical, I worked in the financial sector in Paris for 10 years before I decided to change profession and earn my living doing what I really enjoyed; teaching French. I arrived in Barcelona in 2007 and have been working for ICL ever since. I love the region, the local culture and the people. I cannot imagine changing country in the foreseeable future. "

Jenny Owens

“I was born in Dublin and grew up in Scotland and England before going back to Ireland for university. I studied Spanish and Italian at Trinity College Dublin and spent my Erasmus year at the University of Bologna, Italy. On finishing my degree I worked for the Italian department of a multinational computer company before packing my bags for Barcelona in 2007. On arriving I did my TEFL certificate and have been teaching English ever since. In 2008 I started a degree in Fine Art at the University of Barcelona. I have recently noticed that my love for languages has been entering into my art projects and I am currently looking to investigate how the artistic and linguistic spheres overlap."

Maria

“I’m from London and studied 3 dimensional design at Manchester. I later trained as a secondary school teacher obtaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Art and Design. I worked as an Art teacher in London for four years and later specialised in Special Educational Needs. I then worked in this field for a further four years working with pupils with cognitive and reading difficulties. For a while I produced ceramics and pottery at a studio in North London, but since my arrival to Barcelona in December 2007 I have been teaching English and designing and marketing handbags. My hobbies are swimming, doing yoga and visiting art galleries. "

Simon Leonard

“Originally from Dublin, I have been living in Spain since 1999 and have also lived and worked in Paris, London and Brussels. I studied Philosophy and Literature in Trinity College Dublin, which has proved as useful as my mother said it would at the time. I’ve been teaching English since 1998, mostly with a business focus "

Tom Hardy

“Tom Hardy I grew up in the shadow of the beautiful Malvern Hills in Worcestershire England. After finishing school there I studied English and Related Literature at the University of York. I started teaching in 2005 in Italy before returning to the UK and studying a Masters in Human Rights at Brighton University. I came to Barcelona to visit some school friends in 2007, decided to stay for a bit longer and have been here ever since. "

Caroline Thompson

“I'm a Londoner by birth and upbringing, although I studied for my degree at Manchester University. After graduating I worked for a number of years as a policy and performance manager for a housing association in London. When it felt like time for a change of career and lifestyle I decided to come to Barcelona, take my CELTA qualification and work as an English language teacher. I really enjoy getting to know my students and trying to make lessons interesting and fun for them while they learn. It's great to see people's confidence grow as their English improves. When I'm not at work, I like exploring the sights and experiences of Barcelona and Catalonia. As a football fan it's been exciting to be here as Barca have had so much success, but my true loyalty still lies with Tottenham!"

Stefanie Perner

“"I joined the ICL teaching staff in September 2009. After completing my university education and working in schools in Germany, my country of birth, I spent some time in Latin America perfecting my Spanish. I have been living in Barcelona for 5 years where I earn a living in my favourite profession; teaching and translating languages. Living the motto “study for your whole life”, I dedicate my time to education, I love both teaching and studying. I am enthusiastic about music, literature and culture. I love sport, especially touring the heart of Catalonia by bicycle, I always discover something new" "

James Pownell

“I came to Barcelona from the US in 1989 after finishing my university studies in German at SUNY Buffalo in beautiful western New York, where I grew up. Having received the RSA Certificate for teaching English to adults, I enjoyed 14 years as a teacher. After a stint in olive oil exports, I returned to English teaching as my true vocation. I am supplementing my experience with studies through a masters program offered by the University of Barcelona in Applied Linguistics and Language Acquisition, which will help me offer more to my students. Hobbies include mountain biking and keeping a pack of unruly olive trees in line down near Tortosa"

Lisa Mc Carthy

“I was born in the South-East of Ireland but I left the Green Isle in 1992 to look for new horizons in London, where I worked in communication and finance for 14 years while studying French and Spanish. In April 2005 I decided to move to Barcelona to pursue a career in languages, and completing the CELTA course allowed me to work as a teacher. Teaching English is a very fulfilling job and I love seeing my students make progress in their studies. I also work as a translator in Spanish and English. When I´m not teaching or translating, you can find me cycling in the mountains or along the beach, playing tennis, reading and socialising "

Andy Whittet

“Andy has been teaching English in Barcelona for more than twenty years. He has specialised in teaching in the business sector together with focusing on Cambridge exams including the PET,FCE and the Advanced levels. He also has experience in syllabus design and setting up self-access courses. He believes students must feel comfortable while being motivated by well-planned, stimulating classes. He feels a good teacher should be flexible and adaptable to the students’ needs and circumstances. His pastimes include watching sport from the comfort of his sofa, a gentle ride on his bike and an almost unhealthy interest in all things science fiction."

Antonio Vieira

“I’m Brazilian but I live in Barcelona. I have a degree in Economics, a masters degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology and I also completed a post graduate course in higher education. I have worked as a Portuguese teacher and translator since 1998.I have taught a wide variety courses from those where students need portuguese for their work to others where their main motivations is to help with traval or studies. Brazilian culture is always included. I like to adapt my courses to my students’ needs and teach every class to the best of my ability. "

Barbara Roig

“I was Born in Barcelona my father is Catalan and my mother Swiss-French. I grew up in France and graduated in “letters modernes” at Toulouse University. Although I was educated in France I feel very integrated in the Barcelona lifestyle, thanks in part to the fact that I speak Catalan. I enjoy teaching languages and being able to communicate my passion for literature. I divide my time between teaching and translating, I translate from Spanish and Catalan into French and also work as an interpreter. "

Paula Pritchard

“I enjoy teaching both business and general English and has taught students from ages 6 to 60.
I started to travel and work abroad in different countries after finishing my studies. This all stopped when I met my husband and settled down here in Barcelona.
I have two children who apart from speaking Catalan and Spanish also speak fluent English as this is the language they speak at home.
In my free time she enjoys walking in the mountains, reading, listening to music and going to the cinema. I used to do a lot of sport but now finds it difficult as she has to juggle my time between work and being a mum."

Alan Murphy

“I was born in London and I’ve been living in Barcelona for 15 years. Apart from English classes, I am also a translator and prepare English textbooks. My teaching methodology is based around two ideas: fear of boredom and the need to continually practise new vocabulary and structures. I try to vary the type of teaching activity as much as possible, and make the classes as fun as possible. I know learning English can be hard work, and I want to make it as painless as it can be. "

Shelley Mills

“I was born in Melbourne, Australia. I've travelled extensively and lived in London, Vigo and Mahon before setting in Barcelona in 1986. I've a TEFL qualification for both children and adults. I've worked for ICL for many years and has ample experience teaching all levels. In my spare time she likes reading and watching Australian rules football."