"My love of languages started early in life and gradually expanded as I lived and researched in over thirty countries around the world. I am German born and multilingual (French, German, Nepali). My experience as a professional interpreter and translator for the judicial system (county, state, and federal level) give me an edge over other educators. I also spent over 20 years in the fields of research and writing, working on international projects.

I hold a degree from Georgetown University and the University of Nice - Sophia Antipolis in France. My studies at GU included the School of Interpretation and Translation, an internationally recognized and unique department with very rigorous standards. I minored in linguistics and specialize in early childhood language acquisition. I have also spent a number of years volunteering as a foreign language liaison in Fairfax County Public Schools (Immersion Program).

Additionally, I conduct workshops and classes, as well as provide programs and performances on Asian culture via my organization, Utpalasia. My audiences include families and small children, K and up, and I regularly tutor ages 5+, so I am able to bring a playful, natural method to my language instruction.

Being culturally sensitive and understanding cross-cultural connections is a valuable tool in the teaching of languages. I believe that languages are acquired both in direct and nuanced ways and I strive to bring this style of teaching into my tutoring sessions. I include snippets of language origin, history, culture, art, music, and society in every class. I prefer the immersion method of instruction since it helps a student 'think' in the target language. Language is about communicating ideas, not just words.

My focus is to accommodate the needs of the individual, be they casual learning for enjoyment, structured study for school, or as a practical application towards a specific goal. I place a great deal of importance on quality achievement, rather than quantity alone, and while I expect sincere parti" less...