THE TEAM

One of the greatest opportunities provided by the EAA program is the opportunity to work with native speakers. Whether it be in or out of the classroom, with or without a teacher, in small groups or one-to one, the pupils have the chance to practice their skills with someone who grew up with the language.

Our natives have also given the pupils a distinct advantage in these Corona times because the natives can work with the online groups, allowing the teachers to work with the pupils in the classroom meaning both groups have all the attention and better support.

The Natives

Mark Rauhala

Hi, my name is Mark Rauhala and I come from the United States of America! I was born in a suburb of Washington D.C. called Arlington, Virginia, but since my family was in the military, we moved around the United States quite a bit. I spent most of my life, however, in the beautiful state of Colorado. I now study French and Ukrainian at the University of Vienna and in addition to foreign languages, my passions include music and gastronomy! I look forward to another exciting year at the Sportgymnasium!

Alistair Fuller

Hi, my name is Alistair Fuller. I was born in London and while growing developed a passion for photography. After turning this into my profession my images appeared appeared globally in newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and film. Then the distant echo of the yodel enticed me into exploring the Austrian mountains by mountain bike!

As a big believer in education as a positive way to change humanity, I am a course leader for both the UWL BA Photography and Graphic Design degree programmes at Deutsche-POP. Furthermore I am attempting to develop young people’s interest in art while working as atelier manager for the Bank Austria Kunstforum.

Will Süss-Groves

Hi my name is William Süss-Groves. I lived and worked in the North East of England until April 2022, in a town called Stockton-on-Tees near the bustling metropolis of Middlesbrough. I have wide ranging experience in my working life, mostly focused on health and mental wellbeing, which lead to becoming qualified as a counsellor/psychotherapist. I have worked with children and adults in a range of situations, from within schools, charities and state mental health provisions . I have now become a resident of Austria after marrying an Austrian woman, which lead indirectly to my being the newest member of the native speaker team! I already love being able to provide an authentic (Northern) English voice with which students can practice and improve their English language skills, and look forward to helping the students develop that as time goes on!

Jonathan Zinnecker

Having travelled the world by boat, plane, car and bike Jona is a young man full of energy whose English level is only rivalled by his knowledge of mathematics. The teachers have heaved a huge sigh of relief now that they have an assistant who truly knows his pi from his pie! The fact that his Gran is English has definitely not harmed his English either.