Stands in Learnwell's corner as a language instructor of English. We
share common goals; we work closely with each other. As a team we can
put more resources together for you. We want you to benefit from our
products and our services. We will do our best for you.25 years in the
business in the U.S., the U.K., Estonia, Japan, and over 20 years in
Finland have taught me that helping people first helps companies most.
B.A. and M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. M.B.A.
Helsingin Kauppakorkeakoulu
- Over 20 years helping, teaching, guiding people on 3 continents - Worked in dozens of companies and public institutions all around Finland - Specializes in business life, finance, insurance, social security, law, communication - Citizen of Finland January 2006 and U.S.A. - Languages: English (native), Finnish (Second), German, Russian, Spanish
Lessons conducted with Finnish, German or Russian as the support language.
Kim T. (Australian)
I am an Australian and I came to Finland a few years ago. I am CELTA qualified and I have been teaching English to business people in the Czech Republic for year before starting my teaching career here in Finland in 2007.
My background is in civil engineering with over 10 years experience in the water industry, working in construction, project management, contract administration, training and corporate communications.
I enjoy teaching because I like to see the skill and confidence of my students develop and because I also enjoy learning from my students about their work and experiences.
André Sumelius
André Sumelius is a native English speaker currently living in Helsinki. Having been born with a Swedish-speaking Finn for a father and a New Yorker for a mother, André's upbringing presented him with opportunities bestowed upon few people, having learned three languages (English, Swedish and Finnish) as a Native Speaker from birth. After moving to New York at the age of 11, André spent his adolescent years through early adulthood in the USA. André is a musician, and has travelled the world over presenting his music and as a member of other jazz groups, while learning Spanish living in Barcelona from 2007 to 2009. In addition to music, André has done translation work for the past 12 years and has taught Business English in Spain and Finland. After 15 years living in San Francisco and New York, André has now relocated to Helsinki to undertake raising his family while teaching and performing.
Fernando M. (American)
I’ve over a decade of experience in advertising, marketing and sales, both in Finland and abroad. I first started teaching Business English in the summer of ’98 after I first moved to Helsinki. I’ve helped many students from of variety of industries to improve their conversational English, to become more confident with their business presentations and to learn how the American business culture differs from that in Finland. If you have challenges in your workplace as it relates to communicating in English, I can help you. My job is to help you do your job better!
Rodney D. (Australian)
Hi, I am from Down Under. In other words, I am an ex-patriot Australian who emigrated to Finland over thirty years ago. I trained in Australia to become an English teacher and practiced my craft there for a couple of years before moving on via Britain and Germany to Finland in 1977.
In the thirty odd years I have been in Finland I have taught for various educational institutions and interacted with a wide variety of students ranging from those with rudimentary language skills to others whose skills were commensurate with those of a native speaker. Although I am extremely competent at teaching general English skills, my special areas of interest are business and finance, but I also like to help students hone their presentation, meeting and negotiation skills. I try to conduct my lessons in English but can use Finnish as a support language when necessary.
Edward B. (British)
English language consultant 1976-80 University of Sussex 1981-82 Stockholm's University (TEFL, RSA course) 1982-85 British Finnish Society (The Teacher Secretary) 1988-90 Kielikanava (Marketing Manager) 1985-05 Free lance English teacher and consultant 1985-05 Helsingin Kesäyliopisto 1993-94 A Year in Osaka, Japan 1990-06 Helsingin Aikuisopisto ( English at Work Courses ) 2002-06 Humak ( Teaching English and Cross Cultural Communication Skills ) 2003-06 SMKJ ( Sales Negotiations Courses in Seurasaari ) 2004-06 Palmenia ( EU Sokrates Project - IT for Seniors )
Lessons conducted with Finnish or Swedish as the support language. References
Suzanne B.
Hello! I am a CELTA-trained English teacher, originally from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Before changing my career, I have worked at different banks as an Investment Consultant. I came to Finland a few months ago, as I have always wanted to live and work abroad and have fallen in love with Helsinki. Apart from English I speak Dutch, German, French, some Spanish and some Swedish. At school I took Latin and Greek for 6 years. I love learning languages and have started to learn Finnish, which is proving to be the hardest of all!
I know how difficult learning a new language can be, but I also know how rewarding it is when a strange language becomes understandable. I very much enjoy helping my students achieve this. I teach Dutch as well as English, and my specialisations are Financial and Legal Business English.
Jenny Z. (Australian)
My interest in language teaching became a logical choice as I come from a family of immigrants and I myself have lived in several countries. I am from Melbourne, Australia, but I was born in Los Angeles, USA. I have developed an interest in travelling and learning languages as I have travelled all over Western Europe, South East Asia, USA and of course Australia. I have spent some time in Germany and the Netherlands and have picked up some German and Dutch along the way. I moved to Helsinki in early 2006 and I have begun to develop my ear for Finnish. In Australia, I have worked within Information Technology, Finance, Sales and Hospitality industries. I have also worked for a major IT company in the Netherlands.
I decided to teach English as I have an interest in languages and broad industry knowledge, which has proved helpful when teaching and understanding students needs. I have had much experience learning languages, so I understand how it feels to be on the other side of the classroom. To keep my students interested I keep the courses practical and useful, and the topics relevant to my students' needs. I also focus classes on conversation and pronunciation. This will enable students to put into practice what they know and to become increasingly accustomed to regularly speaking and using English.
Douglas T. (American)
Hi,
I am from New Jersey, USA. I have a degree in Fine Arts and have taught English in Indonesia, The Czech Republic and now Finland. I have experience in teaching business, conversational, technical, diplomatic and elementary level English.
I started teaching part-time in 1996 and made the full transition after quite an intensive (to say the least) career in the culinary arts, heading a kitchen near Limoges, France in 2003.
When I’m not cooking it up in the kitchen, I enjoy creating electronic music, playing Texas Hold’em, traveling with my Finnish fiancée and fantasizing about becoming fluent in her language some day…
I really enjoy teaching confidence in the classroom as well as the importance of small talk, tone and the brilliance of phrases and expressions. Most of all, I teach because I end up learning so much from my students, making my lessons very lively and rich. Hope to see you there!
Peter B. (British)
Hi, I originate from Manchester in the UK and I have lived in Finland for the past ten years. During that time I have studied at Joensuu University as part of my degree studies at Manchester Uni. I have worked as a teacher of English for the duration of my stay here in Finland.
5 Years self employed and teaching adults in companies such as, Sampo, Borealis, fortum, S.E.B, SOK, Altia Finnlines, Amerpap, Nordea, HKL, Puolustusvoimat and Telia-Sonera to name a few. I have also worked for Vantaa City as a full-Time English teacher teaching grades 7-11. 5 years, Kilterin Koulu, 3 years, Vantaa International School.
I love teaching and seeing my students skills develop. I’m outgoing, approachable and always willing to listen to your concerns and help in any way I can.
I recently completed the yleinen kielitutkinto at level 3 and am able to use Finnish as a support language if needed.
My free time is occupied by a passion for photography and cycling.
Will S. (British)
Hello, I am from Norwich in the UK (famous for Colman's mustard mainly) and have been living and working in Helsinki for almost a year. Having survived my first winter my challenge next will be to improve my Finnish (work in progress).
My areas of teaching are general and business English. I especially enjoy business English because it is always interesting to meet people from different industries, learn about what they do and help them achieve their goals.
As well as teaching, I have worked in the insurance industry and as a freelance writer for a local and national paper in the UK.
I have worked in teaching since 1998 and have taught mainly adults. I firmly believe life is about keeping learning.
Hello, I am originally from Wimbledon, London but I am now a permanent resident here in Helsinki. I have been coming to Finland for nine years and will be getting married in Espoo in June.
My background is in academic and educational publishing and bookselling but I am now a CELTA qualified teacher and would like to help people to a better understanding of English in either a business or relaxed conversational context. I can adapt my teaching style to whatever best suits your preferences as students but most of all I like my groups to enjoy the class and have a few laughs along the way as we get to know each other. I have been teaching at a wide range of companies in different industries here in Helsinki for the last 18 months.
I am a Finnish-American contracts lawyer with 12 years experience, specializing in IT and entertainment law. I have spent most of the past decade working in Helsinki with a variety of companies, and have found Finland to be a remarkable country filled with intelligent and dedicated people who are excited by new challenges. Due in part to Finland’s geographical location, as well as the remarkable technological development and advances taking place here, Finnish companies have consistently increased their visibility in the global marketplace, and more and more Finns have been required to conduct business in the English language.
For the past year I have been teaching business and legal English to IT and legal professionals in the Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa areas. I have focused specifically on improving negotiations, presentations, contracts drafting, written comprehension and oral skills. Generally, I have found that the most effective technique for improving one’s English language skills in business and law involves focusing on a person’s existing skills in relation to the different types of situations one will face in a professional capacity. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching comes from helping others reach their full potential; success in business (including legal issues) can be achieved – at least in part - with clear communication between the parties.
Ben C. (British)
Hello! My name is Ben and I come from Ireland and have just moved to Helsinki and look forward to settling here. I have been teaching English for the last 7 years in Japan, Ireland and Denmark. I have lots of experience in all types of English: Business, Auto-Motive, Legal and of course General English.
Before my teaching career, I worked in the Banking industry and for a time I was an archaeologist! A varied career history!
I am interested in History and play lots of sports and just recently started playing Floorball! I look forward to meeting many new people here and helping you all improve your English.
Deborah A. (British)
Hello, I am Deborah and I arrived in Finland in 2007. I have a background in geology and geography and have spent the last eight years working as an environmental consultant, concentrating mainly on contaminated land, but also dabbling in due diligence and regulator liaison. This has included writing technical and scientific reports within a regulatory framework, conveying complex ideas in a succinct manner to fellow professsionals and also to non-specialists. I have had a good exposure to general business (including some financial), scientific and environmental work practices.
I came from the UK via Norway, picking up some of the Norwegian language on the way, I am now trying to learn Finnish. Although I am British I have also lived, studied and worked in the USA. When not working I have many hobbies including, walking, cycling, knitting, sewing, gardening, reading, going to the cinema and tracking down tasty beers.
Tomás O. (Irish)
Hello!
I’m an Irishman who grew up in London and works as a professional English language teacher: my teaching career started nearly 20 years ago when I quit my office job and left the U.K. to travel. I was learning Swedish in Sweden when I discovered that I had a talent for languages. So, I decided to teach English in Gothenburg, but being bored with my girlfriend I moved back to London, studied to be an English teacher and taught whilst studying Scandinavian Studies at university. I then left for the beauty of Switzerland, teaching professional Cambridge language examination courses and business English. However, I couldn’t resist the Nordic countries and I moved to Finland, where I’ve been since 2004, teaching all over Uusimaa and even in South Karelia. I specialise in business English and communication for everyday purposes – I know how to make language learning fun, even the complicated areas of English such as grammar, which I’m an expert at.
Adam M.
Hello. My name is Adam and although I have only been living in Finland for two years, I have been visiting here regularly since 2001.
I trained in Art History and have worked in various Museums for over 15 years; I currently still work freelance for the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. In addition to my Museum work, I also work as a photographer and writer and have contributed articles and photographs to numerous books, magazines and exhibition catalogues. And I also teach English in Finland!
All through academia it has been my belief that no subject sits on its own and all discussions are interrelated. This is certainly true of the English language where oblique references and odd idiosyncrasies are always popping up. I like exploring the oddities of the language and helping students to understand the roots and reasoning of some of the subtleties of English usage.
Stuart S. (British)
Hello. I am an Englishman from Brighton (well known to many Finns) and now permanently live in Helsinki. I have a long connection with Finland having first lived here in the 70s.
I have a financial background having spent some 25 years mostly in audit, corporate governance, risk management and accounting. I have worked, mainly as an auditor, in the UK and abroad in the finance sector, travel industry as well as central and local government.
For the past year I have been an English language trainer at major Finnish companies in the Helsinki metropolitan area. I have trained staff at all levels in various areas of Business English in particular business vocabulary, communication, presentations, accountancy and audit terminology as well as English grammar and pronunciation. Trainees range from groups of junior staff to 1 to 1's with senior executives. I consider my training style to be relaxed and can be tailored to suit individual needs. I am also able to use Finnish as a support language (CERF Level B2).