Meet Our Instructors
Our team includes more than 50 experienced linguists, with instructors based here in Charlottesville and across the U.S. and around the world. Together, they bring language, culture, and real-life experience into every lesson, creating learning that’s personal, engaging, and human.
Spanish: Cristina García
“I truly enjoy meeting new people, sharing cultures and life experiences, and, of course, having a good laugh along the way!“
Spanish: Belem García
Her teaching philosophy is built around creating a positive connection with her students, where they feel comfortable, motivated, and actively involved in their learning journey…
American Sign Language: Brittney Lipson, M.A.
She holds a Master's degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University and has specialized training in virtual ASL instruction, Deaf culture, ASL linguistics, and curriculum development.
French and German: Caroline Philipps
After relocating from London to Washington, DC, Caroline worked at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), training U.S. government personnel in French and German.
French: Laura Atran-Fresco, Ph.D
She is a native French-American holding a dual Ph.D. in Sociology and Francophone Studies. She brings over 10 years of experience teaching French at the university level in the U.S.
European and Canadian French: Matt Goldstein, B.A.
In 2006, while living in Montreal and studying translation at McGill University, Matt immersed himself in Canadian French and Québécois culture. Today, he feels equally at home with French from either side of the Atlantic.
Russian: Irina Stevens, M.A.
Born and raised in the Soviet Union and Ukraine, Irina earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and master’s degrees in education.
Russian: Anzhela Greene, M.A.
She relishes education, having graduated from university in St. Petersburg, Russia, earned her master’s degree in Brussels, Belgium, and studied languages in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Arabic: Tasnim Alkyam, B.A.
Tasnim has been tutoring Arabic since 2012 that is when she started teaching Arabic as a foreign language at the CET Academic Programs.
Arabic: Karima
Growing up in Morocco gave her exposure to Moroccan Arabic (Darija), Modern Standard Arabic, French, English, and even Spanish, especially through the cultural influences found across different regions of the country.
Italian: Noemi Perego, M.A.
Noemi was born in Carate Brianza, a quiet and green area north of Milan close to Como and the beautiful famous lake. She took a master in Italian Language and Literature at UVA and she has been teaching Italian since then.
Ukrainian/Russian: Tatiana Yavorska-Antrobius, M.A.
“By understanding a language, students gain a deeper appreciation of the people who speak it.”
German: Stefanie Parker, Ph.D.
In 2006 she moved to Charlottesville to pursue her PhD in Germanic languages and literatures. Having already taught German at several colleges including Sweet Briar College, Hampden Sydney College, VCU, JMU and UVA, she is very excited to teach at SPEAK!
Spanish: John Rabassa
“I believe that creating a fun and engaging experience, lowering the stress of learning a language, is one of the best things I can do to help my students learn.”
English/Communication: Joyce McClure, B.F.A.
Joyce has a certificate in ESL from the New School in New York City and one in paralegal studies from Boston University.
Turkish: Zeynep Gur Smith, M.A.
After graduating and getting her international baccalaureate at the Lycée Saint Joseph d’Izmir in French, she earned her BA degree in Turkish Language and Literature from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey.
English: Liz Launer, M.A.
Since joining the team in 2012, Liz has helped connect thousands of students with the right instructors while supporting Speak!'s international teaching team and English programs.
Italian: Federica Priola, M.A.
“Armed with a degree in linguistics, I specialize in teaching Italian to foreigners, sharing my language and culture with eager learners worldwide.”
French: Anne Padilla, Cert. FLE
Anne was born and raised in Paris and decided to become a French teacher 10 years ago when she moved with her family to the USA first to Boston and then Ann Arbor, Michigan.
German/English: Helga Hiss, M.A.
Helga has studied and taught in multicultural environments throughout her life, including in Great Britain, Italy, and the United States.
Speak! is about CONNECTION!
Many of our favorite moments happen when teachers and students learn, laugh, and connect beyond the lesson.
