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VOTRE PARTENAIRE LOCAL POUR LA FORMATION EN ANGLAIS
Your Trainers
Dr. Christopher Toenjes
Born and raised in the United States, I have been working and studying in Europe since the turn of the millennium. Learning languages and teaching English as a second language (ESL) is my passion. Alongside English, I also teach history at the University of Freiburg, where I obtained my PhD in History (focusing on English Literature). My ESL teaching experience ranges from working with elementary to advanced learners, including academic, business, law enforcement, military, and technical English. Last year I published a textbook for the German police, On Patrol, Operational English for German Law Enforcement Officers. In my free time I enjoy hiking, cycling or canoeing with my family.
Riley Williams
Hello, my name is Riley Williams. If you are reading this then it is likely that I am or will be your English teacher. Let me tell you a little about myself and what to expect with me as your teacher. I am an American and I have been living in beautiful Freiburg, Germany, since the Fall of 2014. I am quite the adventurer and lover of variety. I'm a deep thinker but I love to balance that with humor. Coming here opened up doors for me to work with the refugees and to experience starting over in a new culture. My working background includes working in the material sciences for a number of years before coming to Germany. Since coming I have had the opportunity to teach English in the professional world which has been quite the shift but benefits from my having worked in both research and development and industry. Because of my technical and cultural background, I tend to lead my classes in a way in which you will not only have technical excellence but also a cultural “feel” for how to use it. I believe that learning a language can also give one a fuller perspective on one's own culture and language and therefore enable the speaker to convey thoughts and ideas more clearly. I also believe keeping the learning process fun and flexible is important too! I look forward to working with you.
Royston Anthony Lin
Royston is currently a Master's student in History at the University of Freiburg. He hails from the little (really little) sunny island-state of Singapore, where he completed his undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore and worked for a few years in the public sector writing interesting(ly boring) policy papers on culture and heritage. Over the years, he also taught in schools as a substitute teacher, did proofreading work, and gave private tuition in various subjects. Although he does not look like one, English is indeed Royston's mother-tongue. While he enjoys travelling and exploring the history and nature around him, Royston also appreciates the time just sitting in a rocking chair with a good book and a hot cuppa - and (hopefully someday) a cat on his lap.
© 2020 Toenjes English Services
Tony Grigg
Hi, I’m Tony, and I’m glad you’re here taking the time to read up on me, your potential trainer. I grew up in the very Germanized city of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, thinking that all Germans do is drink beer, eat Wurst and Sauerkraut, and wear Dirndls and Lederhosen. Boy, was I mistaken... and happily so! After completing my studies in Geography and marrying my lovely German wife, I moved to and have been living in the wonderful Freiburg area since mid-2017. I’m an easy-going, fun-loving guy who loves to learn about anything and everything I can wrap my brain around. Because I have a unique way of learning which helps me to deeply understand the mechanics and inner-workings of a subject, I have the ability to teach others about the subject in simple terms while never neglecting the richness of the knowledge. This rounds out my other strange talents, like being able to impersonate others scarily well or kick a water bottle through field-goal posts (if you know what these are, you’re already half-way to becoming an American). All this to say, if it interests you to deeply learn and understand the English language while still being able to use it in professional settings and everyday conversation, I would be very glad to help you learn. Just be sure to bring your own motivation, interests, and jokes to class. In other words, bring yourself!
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