Who Are We?
We are a team of highly dedicated and dynamic professionals both in the office and in the classroom. We are committed to satisfying the precise needs of our clients and providing language training of the highest caliber.
Our History
Established in 1994 in Mariahilferstrasse, we have consistently grown in size and strength since then. In 1997, we moved to the 23rd District and enjoyed 11 years of growth and progress there. In 2008 we acquired the Business Language Centre and moved to our current location just off the Graben, Trattnerhof 2 – a one-minute-walk from Stephansplatz in the heart of Vienna’s 1st District.
Our Staff
Francis Montocchio, Executive Director
I was born in Zimbabwe. My mother was English and my father was from Mauritius. I grew up and went to school in South Africa and studied in South Africa and in the US.
Kerstin Schuetze, Office Manager/Client Relations
I joined PAE in September 2003. I run the office, which includes co-ordinating students and trainers,courses, dates, meetings and more. And I really like what I'm doing as part of a small team, having responsibility but still having enough time for my family.
Our Trainers
Philip Wright, BA (Hons), CELTA
I was born and grew up in Staffordshire, central England. Early on I discovered I wanted to explore the world, and developed a true love of travel and foreign culture. At Durham University I combined this with my fascination for history, and majored in Archaeology. I worked on projects around Europe from Bulgaria to Dusseldorf gaining first hand experience of the need for effective communication between different nationalities.
Maria Lambrakis, BSc (BBA), BTech Management, CELTA
I am South African born, of Greek decent, raised and educated in the sunny east coast City of Durban. I have completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Wales) a Bachelor in Technology Management, and a CELTA through International House (Durban). Currently I am completing a Master's in Business Administration. In March 2008 I moved to Vienna and joined the team at PAE.
Alison Steiner, BA (Econ), MSocSc, DTEFL
I have a Master's degree in Economics and East European Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Economics with Russian Language. I also have a TEFL diploma for teaching English.
Jason Gallager
Why does a person make English training their profession? Many people make the choice for many reasons. Mine was quite simply economic survival coupled with a desire to stay in Vienna. The more important question is, why would anyone remain an English trainer? In my case it was because I found a career that: challenges me, rewards me and allows me to be creative.
Shawna Freischlad, BA
I was born and raised on US soil, however my exact origins are slightly more difficult to pinpoint. I was born in Denver, Colorado, the “Mile High City” in the highest mountain range in the US. I went to elementary school in Southern California, but first found ground to set deep roots when my family moved to Georgia in 1996. After high school, I completed a BA in Language and Linguistics at the University of Georgia. During my undergraduate studies, I prioritized international and cross-cultural experiences at home and abroad. This included time living in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Marrakech, Morocco; and Granada, Spain.
Paul Talbot, BA (Hons), CELTA
I took my BA in Law and Criminology at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and completed my CELTA at Concorde International. As a student I developed a keen interest in Criminal Justice and have worked on Restorative Justice programmes, and in mentoring and education both in prisons and in the community.
Starla Pöschl, BM
I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I have a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. On coming to Vienna in 1996 to further my musical studies, I met and married an Austrian, and this has become home.
Annie Lindmaier, MA
I got my Master's from the University of Louisville, where I got my feet wet with teaching second language acquisition and quickly fell in love with the profession. I taught at the U of L and at Indiana University for three years before heading to South Korea for the chance to experience a completely different culture while teaching my native language. Korea introduced me not only to the joys of spicy food, but also to my future husband, a Viennese whom I recently married. My most recent project has been to focus on fixing my husband's English (getting him to lose the British accent), whereas my husband has given up on ever teaching me Wienerisch.
Ben Drayton, BA Psychology, TESOL
I was born and raised in Sydney Australia. I studied at Macquarie University, Sydney, and graduated with a bachelor of Psychology. Before leaving Sydney for Vienna I worked predominantly in Business Development and Account Management before using those skills in the Recruitment industry.