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Steve Higham
ENGLAND
Employment History
Present:
Webmaster/journalist
1999-2002:
Teacher of English (Germany)
1992-1999:
Journalist/editor
1987-1992:
TEFL (English) Teacher (Spain)
1984-1987:
Features/News Journalist
Education History
1995-1999: BA (Hons) Spanish & Latin American Studies (2.1)
London
2 ‘A’ Levels
(Spanish [a] Politics [b] 1994)
Webmaster’s certificate (advanced HTML): 1999
1999-2002:
Teacher of English (Germany)
In Stuttgart, gave 'Business English' classes to managers and staff
employed by large international multinationals, including Mercedes-Benz, Siemens,
Bosch, Zeiss, and Compaq. Other companies - and there were many - included those
involved in motor vehicle manufacturing, software, publishing, and printing.
Followed Business Opportunities and Headway, magazine articles,
relevant material downloaded from the Internet. Emphasis on conversation, but
used Murphy to reinforce grammatical points. Newspaper cuttings and video
recordings of news bulletins added to the topicality of issues discussed, and
provided an opportunity for students to listen to native English speakers.
Gave weekly classes in commercial/financial English to employees of the
Baden-Württembergische Bank.
Prepared a regular Saturday group of Greek and German teenagers (at the
IMS Institut in central Stuttgart) for the Cambridge First Certificate English
examinations. Lots of role play to develop contextual vocabulary, and organised
a Christmas play (in 2000) to which parents were invited.
Gave twice-weekly classes in conversational English to a group of advanced
learners (in Backnang) at Germany's state-financed Volkshochshcule (similar
to the UK's FE colleges set-up). Discussed mainly political issues, which is what the students wanted: fall
of the Berlin Wall, emigration to Germany, Germany's role in the EU, etc.
Organised a technical/business class at the University of Stuttgart
(Faculty of Engineering) for engineering graduates
from Eastern Europe (mainly the Czech Republic, Russia, Belorussia, and Bosnia).
Mar 1999 - Nov 1999
Webmaster
Employed at Switch IT (Merseyside) as part of
a Web team. Focused on HTML coding and some graphics work.
Developed public sector Web sites. Taught members of the local community
basic Internet skills.
1992-1999:
Journalist/editor
Paid freelance journalist (and as an employed
staff journalist from 1985 to 1987) for a number of international monthly
technical print magazines. Contributed small features to the national daily
newspapers Extra (Peru), and El País (Colombia). Recently, I have
been contracted to work for the European
Service Network, a news agency of the European
Union. Copies of published articles can be provided.
1987-1992:
Teacher of English (Las Palmas de Gran
Canaria)
Gave classes in 'General English' to adults and young adults. Students
were of different levels (beginners to advanced) and from widely different
backgrounds: an Argentinian policewoman, South Koreans, employees of Banco
Vizcaya Bilbao, North Africans, as well as those from the Spanish mainland.
Focused on those grammar points which native Spanish speakers find
difficult, namely the English continuous tenses. Lots of conversation, trying to
'catch' the lyrics to songs, role play, reading, listening exercises. Prepared
students for annual examinations which were recognised by Spain's Ministry of
Employment (INEM).
Also taught young
children (aged 6) in the village of Teror. The class was considered a supplement
to primary school English lessons. Played games, counting exercises, used paints
to teach the colour in English, etc.
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