What position do you hold at Vesalius College? What has been your career path so far?
Anna: I have taught at Vesalius College since January 1995. I have always taught the 2-3 top levels as well as one of the lower levels, presently: Elementary 2, Intermediate 2 and the Advanced levels.
Before coming to Vesalius College, I taught 10 years at The International School of Brussels, which has the same kind of students as Vesalius College in terms of their various nationalities. The big difference is that at secondary school level teachers have to deal with discipline. I am so happy I do not have to deal with any discipline at Vesalius College: university students are angels in that matter! Before my experience with secondary school students, I taught businessmen within their companies as well as their families at home, which was an interesting experience as well.
Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?
Anna: Learning a language is discovering a culture, a way of thinking; it broadens your mind and allows you to communicate with people from another country, to travel in a constructive way. I grew up in France being bilingual (French-Polish), with a quadrilingual grandmother at home: she could speak Polish, German, Russian and French. She definitely became my model. My grandmother used to be a teacher, which I became too. She inspired me and after learning French and Polish I studied English with a passion, then moved on to: German, Italian and Spanish. I just love languages!
How have you changed/grown since working for Vesalius College?
Anna: I decided to write my own grammar book for all levels at Veco 6 years ago because the materials available on the market are either not complete or not clear enough. After teaching for several decades, I know exactly what would be most helpful for the students. I also use my own texts and exercises. The students at Veco have made my life as an instructor a blessing: they are lovely people who largely return to me what I try to give them: the best. Semester after semester, I have met nice and/or exceptional personalities. I love my students and I believe they are grateful for it! Ever since I was a young teenager, I knew I was going to teach: a mission I have accomplished.
What unique qualities set Vesalius College apart?
Anna: Vesalius College is small: I know each of my students by their first name. We are “friends” and we respect each other - they work for me as I work for them. I have kept in contact with students who have since left. Those who showed their recognition to me personally have made me very happy and I will never forget them.
What is your favorite traveling experience?
Anna: I love travelling! As I loved studying English at the University of Paris, I travelled to many English speaking countries: England, Wales, Scotland, Canada and of course The United States. My travel experiences have all been very interesting and enriching.
Among other places, I have been to Poland several times recently because that's where my mother's family originates from. I wanted to walk on my grandmother’s steps and contact my mother’s family. There was a time Poland was “another world”, closed to Western Europe, so I had to catch up!
On another continent, I visited Congo under very privileged circumstances. Among many other things, what I will remember forever was a visit to a small village on an island, invited by the village chief. This place was magical, complete with a huge baobab, farm animals with their cute young running around and marvelous hospitality from our host. Africa, the cradle of humankind, is so authentic and fascinating! Travelling is a passion and I have not finished. There are so many places I still have to see and will discover!