Carolin Hellwig

Carolin Hellwig came to Carthage in the summer of 2009 to work as a Target Language Expert. "My passion for being a teacher and teaching my mother tongue goes back to my early childhood," she says.

Ms. Hellwig was born and raised in Leinefelde, a small town in Germany. After finishing her schooling, she became an au pair in 2004. She lived in Iowa City for two years with a family who introduced her to America’s Midwestern culture. While in Iowa, she studied English, psychology and statistics at a community college.

"I took ESL classes and finally realized that I wanted to do what my teacher was doing," she says. "I want to teach my mother tongue, and with this, help to open possibilities, the same way my ESL teacher had been doing."

She returned to Germany in 2006 to study German as a second language in Leipzig, a town in Sachsen. She enrolled in a bachelor's program that focused on methods and didactics of language teaching.

"In Leipzig I enjoyed learning how to be a German as a Second Language teacher, as well as organizing student events as a student representative, such as international picnics and trips to the Christmas market," she says. "I worked closely with the students who were interested in exchange programs or needed help with their studies."

During her graduate studies in Leipzig, she interned for two months at an immersion school in St. Paul, Minn.

"There, I gained my first experiences in teaching German as a target language to younger children," she says. "I also worked as a German teacher for two months in Marbella (Andalucía) in 2008. In Spain I worked with adults in a government-controlled language school and managed to improve my Spanish skills (un poco!)"

Her interests beyond education include art, visiting museums, theatre, watching documentary films, and hiking through Europe.

“My experiences in Kenosha are wonderful so far. I'm working with amazing people and living with international friends. The life as a teacher, as well as a student, is incredible," she says. "I enjoy being a graduate student and getting to know more and more about how to improve at teaching a language. ...  I care for my students and therefore try to be a helpful and supporting tutor."

Meet the TLEs

Julien Berteraut
"Coming here was a way for me to learn about the American culture, improve my listening and speaking skills, and be in an environment where I could learn from others."

Audrey Dehdouh
"I am currently teaching French at Carthage and studying to complete a Master's in General Education."

Nozomi Fukazawa
"I'm really enjoying meeting people who have a different background from mine, and having precious experiences with them here."

Carolin Hellwig
"My experiences in Kenosha are so far wonderful: working with amazing people, living with international friends, and the life as a teacher as well as student is incredible."

Martina Hunkler
"I am very happy to be here and I would not want to miss this experience for sack of gold or a plate of German Spätzle!"

Claudia Rodriguez
"Living with people of six different countries has enriched my perspective about the world."

Miguel Rojo
TLE Miguel Rojo came to the United States immediately after finishing school, eager to learn more about American life.

Sergio Salazar
"I became a teacher four years ago and found the reward I never thought to find in a job. Indeed teaching is both my profession and my hobby."

Miguel Ángel Santos
Miguel said he's grateful to be doing what he enjoys most: combining traveling, languages, culture sharing, and teaching.

Niki Sugiyama
Niki was motivated to learn English by American culture. "I dreamed of talking with Michael Jordan some day!" she said.

Ruth Solarte
"My wish is that when the students leave the classroom, they feel that they have acquired more than the Spanish basics.”

Shuhong Zhao
Shuhong Zhao, from Beijing, China, is in the United States for the first time and is teaching Chinese 101.