German entered my life at the age of twelve, after years of begging my parents to help me learn it somehow. We lived in the American Midwest and the Internet was in its infancy, so German learning resources were few and far between. Things have come a long way since then! Now I help eager learners like my former self learn German no matter where they are.

Once we got the ball rolling, my journey to fluency was like a snowball racing down a snowy slope. I soaked the German language up with increasing speed. German movies and texts coupled with a dictionary I researched everyday words in on a regular basis were my primary sources of practice. Learning the language through practical words and contact with the media enjoyed by German speakers themselves made my learning especially fun and effective. It is this approach to learning that I seek to teach my students, so they can learn faster and more naturally - all while having fun.

Already quite fluent in German by the time I reached the university, my love affair with linguistics and the German language continued. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. After a short stint as a customer service and sales representative for the German customers of a large hotel chain, I moved to Germany to complete my Master of Arts in Interkulturelle Germanistik at the Universität Bayreuth. Throughout my time in Germany, I traveled extensively, gaining an intimate understanding of the geography, history, and culture that shape the experiences of the German-speaking community. This cultural understanding is fundamental to every lesson I teach - giving the German language dimension, making it come alive for my students, and aiding in effective communication.

Somewhere along the way, I also became a German translator. Accurately and eloquently conveying the meaning of German texts in English every day for over ten years has left me with in-depth understanding of the similarities between German and English. I use this knowledge to help English speakers better understand every aspect of the German language faster and more effectively.

What do you say? Are you ready to learn German with me? Check out the classes I offer.