Meet the new HELTA committee!

Sarah Plochl, Chair

Hi! The least interesting of all committee members (at least geographically), I hail from Hamburg. I’m a trainer and Director of Studies at English Language Institute. I mostly teach in-company business classes and private students and am currently completing my Cambridge Diploma, Delta.

I think HELTA is a wonderful place for us teachers to come together and exchange ideas. I see it as a place of creativity, community and support. As Chair, I hope I can help HELTA grow and to personally foster a more active exchange between the committee and the membership.

 

Andreas Grundtvig, Vice-Chair

After six good years as Chair of HELTA, I stepped aside to focus on other projects while remaining as an advisory Vice-Chair. I have a Scandinavian background but grew up in Britain and have taught English since the early 90s when I moved to Andalucia.

My day job is as a full-time teacher at the Berufliche Schule für Medien und Kommunikation, in Hamburg, where HELTA events are usually held, and I also manage the Cambridge Examinations Centre for Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

In my free time, I travel extensively, recording the language of the environment; I  am also founding Chair of the charitable organisation Teachers 4 Schools.

 

Wilton Mills, Treasurer

I have been teaching English in Hamburg for the last 25 years. I currently teach at Euro-FH, and a variety of companies in and around Hamburg. I am also a Speaking Examiner and Team Leader for the Cambridge Examinations where I am responsible for training the Cambridge Speaking Examiners in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. I also do voluntary work at the local Oxfam Shop.

I have been a member of HELTA for many years and joined the committee about 5 years ago; I became treasurer three years ago. I would like to see HELTA continuing to offer its members not only quality and interesting events, but also social get-togethers where members can exchange ideas and enjoy each other’s company.

 

Andrew Moore, Membership Secretary

I come from London and moved to Hamburg over 25 years ago. For ten of those years, I have been teaching business English in companies and also in Universities of Applied Science. I have a business background which includes marketing, logistics and finance in the food and computer memory business (Chips to chips).

I think HELTA is an important resource that allows trainers to develop their teaching skills, keep in touch with other trainers but also have fun.

 

Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen, Committee Member

I started teaching one of my first languages (Tagalog) in 1998, did this on and off in the intervening years, but didn’t even entertain the thought of leaving the confines of my safe office desk job in an import-export company until 2009. That’s when I did my CELTA, began teaching English, and found my calling.

I mainly do in-company classes but also am a regular fixture in universities. As a regular attendee of seminars and workshops, I know how invigorating and enlightening these could be and also know that there’s no better opportunity to meet people who are just as enthusiastic as I am in expanding their horizons. So I can’t wait to play a part in bringing these speakers to our HELTA and am absolutely looking forward to finally meeting each and every member of our membership during these events.

 

Jim Maloney, Committee Member

I studied International Business Communication before obtaining my CELTA and TESOL Dip. I currently work as the Training Development Manager at Language Training Center in Hamburg; I also work as a freelance trainer, specialising in the media and advertising sector.

In the past two years I have been working with publishers; I work as a consultant for Cornelsen on the Basis for Business series and also write the teaching guide books for A1 and A2 levels. Currently, I am also working as a reporter for Pearson on their Business Partner series.

I have given talks at BESIG, in addition to running teacher training workshops throughout Germany.I look forward to my role on the HELTA committee helping to arrange engaging and interesting events for the members.

 

Soph Moeng, Committee Member

I teach business English and conduct business training in English. These take place in the Hamburg area, throughout Germany and internationally. I have 20 years of business experience working in the global publishing industry, based in London, and this informs all aspects of my teaching.

I’m currently studying for diplomas in life coaching and corporate coaching, with the aim of becoming an executive coach.

As part of the HELTA committee, I’m delighted to be able to promote the interests of HELTA members. I really enjoy helping organise stimulating, thought-provoking and rewarding events and activities.