Community Language School
Who we are
Meet the Community Language School Committee.
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Dr Indu Vibha Meddegama
Director and Co-Founder of the Community Language School
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Dr Maja Skender-Lizatovic
Co-Founder of the Community Language School and Director of Curriculum Development
Lucy Sors
Professional Development Lead
Dr Thea Karagialidis
Curriculum Development Lead
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Dr Mattia Zingaretti
Research and Knowledge Exchange Lead
Language volunteers
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Kaori Mikata-Pralat
Japanese language volunteer
I am a York-based professional translator working with Japanese, English and German. My passion for languages and cultures developed during my childhood and adolescence in Japan. In my twenties I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the multilingual environment of a university on the German-Polish border, where I earned a Master's degree in European Studies. As a committed lifelong language learner, I aspire to be a supportive guide for fellow young learners, helping them find enjoyment and motivation.
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Hyunchel Park
Korean language volunteer
I am a cross-cultural communicator based in Hull, specialising in the interpretation and translation of Japanese, English, and Korean. My enthusiasm for languages and cultures intensified through training and international commerce in Korea, Canada, Japan, and Vietnam. Working for an international company in my 30s exposed me to multiculturalism, and I recently finished a postgraduate program in the UK, which deepened my language skills. I am enthusiastic about bridging linguistic and cultural divides and working to provide a motivating and encouraging support system for young students.
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Akasha Perera
Italian language volunteer
As a Sri Lankan-Italian linguist, I bring a unique blend of cultural diversity and linguistic proficiency to the world of languages. Holding a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish from the University of Manchester, I have honed my language skills with a deep passion and commitment. Fluent in five languages - English, Italian, French, Spanish, and Sinhala - I possess a multifaceted linguistic repertoire. My academic journey at the University of Manchester not only equipped me with a solid foundation in French and Spanish but also instilled in me a love for exploring diverse linguistic landscapes. With a solid academic foundation, practical teaching experience, and a passion for continuous learning, I am eager to contribute my linguistic expertise to diverse professional settings.
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Maria Alonso Martin
Spanish language volunteer
I am currently studying a BA in Japanese, TESOL and Linguistics at York St John University. Although I have lived in England for over 25 years, my hometown is a beautiful place in the south of Spain called El Puerto de Santa Maria where my community volunteering with children first started. On moving to England, I worked for 3 years as a Teaching Assistant and Spanish Teacher at my children's then primary school, Clifton Green. The fantastic feedback from this experience greatly influenced my interest in linguistics, how the language works and especially how language learning happens. As a volunteer in CLS I am looking forward to continuing to develop this passion to the fullest and learn through interactive engagement, promoting both the acquisition of language as well as an understanding of Spanish culture.
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Christine Qin
Mandarin Chinese language volunteer
I hold degrees in Finance and Management, as well as a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of York. After a successful international career as a manager in the financial sector, I am now dedicated to the exciting fields of education and counseling, serving as a mentor and counselor. My passion for education and Chinese culture has inspired me to volunteer at the St. John’s Language Community. I feel deeply honored to teach Chinese in a warm and supportive environment, contributing to the growth and development of local young people.
Interns
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Peter Tomaszewski
Intern: administrator
I am a 3rd year BA Music Production student at York St John University and an intern at the Community Language School. I get the opportunity to contribute to the school’s work by helping the volunteers where necessary and assisting with administrative tasks. I was born in Poland but moved to England at a very young age, meaning I can speak both Polish and English fluently. Therefore, I understand the challenges some of these children go through when balancing their linguistic and cultural identities. This motivates me to support the mission of the school; to help the children preserve and pass on their languages.
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Emily Howarth
Intern: performing arts practitioner
Hi there! My name is Emily, and I am the Performing Arts Practitioner for the CLS. This means I am directing the amazing CLS students in an upcoming multilingual production of The Gruffalo. I am currently doing a Master’s in Applied Linguistics at YSJ, having just finished my undergraduate degree here in British Sign Language, Deaf Studies and Linguistics. I have been working in theatre and performance for about 10 years, with lots of experience working in children and family entertainment. This upcoming production of The Gruffalo combines my interest in linguistics with my passion for performing and I am delighted to be working with the CLS this year!