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Dr. Shan Parfitt
As a native English speaker with a training in languages, linguistics, paedagogy, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science, I am unique in Klosterneuburg in the wide range of English language teaching, academic and business support that I provide. My services include but are not limited to:
My initial education was a Masters in languages at Oxford University. I subsequently trained as a language teacher and, after a second Masters in Cognitive Science, I obtained my doctorate at Imperial College, London, in Artificial Intelligence for language research. I have lived in Klosterneuburg twice, for a total of nearly 14 years, the second time returning here after the Brexit referendum. |
My mission is twofold...
My teaching approach employs a thorough understanding of how language works and how students learn best, along with lots of personal experience of learning and teaching languages. English lessons are entirely in English - unless something needs clarifying in German - so students get lots of practice. Vocabulary, grammar, real-life English and the culture and customs of native English speakers all feature. Academic and business English classes concentrate on specialised skills including subject-specific vocabulary, pronunciation, presenting in English, writing and lots more. Responding flexibly to my students' needs is my single most important aim.
My translation and proofreading skills rest on my knowledge of the underlying structure of language, my background in academia and my extensive experience in writing and editing business and academic English.
- To teach people from every walk of life, in a practical and enjoyable way, how to use English fluently
- To provide academics and businesspeople with the means to create clear, elegant written English.
My teaching approach employs a thorough understanding of how language works and how students learn best, along with lots of personal experience of learning and teaching languages. English lessons are entirely in English - unless something needs clarifying in German - so students get lots of practice. Vocabulary, grammar, real-life English and the culture and customs of native English speakers all feature. Academic and business English classes concentrate on specialised skills including subject-specific vocabulary, pronunciation, presenting in English, writing and lots more. Responding flexibly to my students' needs is my single most important aim.
My translation and proofreading skills rest on my knowledge of the underlying structure of language, my background in academia and my extensive experience in writing and editing business and academic English.
Curriculum Vitae
1982-86: Masters, Oxford University (MA Hons German and French)
1986-87: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (German, French and English as a Foreign Language), Reading University
1988-89: Masters, Manchester University (MSc Cognitive Science)
1989-91: Research assistant, IBM (Language and Artificial Intelligence)
1991-97: PhD, Imperial College London (Language and Artificial Intelligence)
1998-2000: Research assistant, ÖFAI (Language and Artificial Intelligence)
2007-17: Private teaching, proofreading and translation services in UK
2017-now: english.works language services in Klosterneuburg and online
2022-now: Native speaker English teacher, BG/BRG Klosterneuburg, IB World School
