Teacher since 2021
– Teaching E5, E6, E7, E8 classes –
I started teaching at SGLS in September 2021, and May 2026 marked the completion of my 5th year of teaching (levels E 5/6/7/8).
I was born in Kassel, Germany and emigrated with my parents when I was one years old. We lived on a 60 acre strawberry farm in South Cloverdale with my grandparents, uncle and aunt, and my cousins. On the farm we only spoke German. Many neighbours (and my best friend) were German as well, so I didn’t know, hear or speak English until I started school, in Grade One.
Many favourite childhood memories were from our family celebrations that were deeply rooted in culture and tradition. I cherished marking the seasons with our best feast-foods, cakes, music and songs (including „Laternensingen“ in November), and precious to me were the long winter nights that gathered us around my grandfather, who in best „Oral Tradition“, told us origin stories, fables and Fairytale’s from our ancestors.
My heritage has been a grounding force as well as a teacher to me. It encouraged me to learn other languages, and to have a reverence and curiosity for literature, history and anthropology.
What I love best about learning and teaching at the SGLS is that the school community feels like a family, a family that comes together each Saturday to celebrate the season, engage in rich and meaningful cultural traditions, and to preserve our language through sharing together. Every Saturday is a good day when we are positive together.
(BA, Laval University, 1991; BEd, UBC, 1994)
Teacher since 2001
with breaks
Minal was born and raised in Baroda, India, and she has been living in Vancouver for 25+ years.
Minal currently teaches German at the Surrey German Language School and privately. She was introduced to the SGLS by long-time teacher Gita Matthew, and she is very grateful for the referral.
In the past, Minal has also taught German at UBC, the Vancouver Westside German School, Language Trainers, East Vancouver German School and German Kids Richmond. She speaks four other languages fluently before German.
Minal completed her German as a Foreign Language (DaF) teacher training in 1996 at the Goethe-Institut Munich and holds an MA in German Studies from India and UBC. She has over 30 years of teaching experience, primarily with adults at levels A1-C1.
Minal has travelled to Germany several times with a Goethe scholarship and once to Austria with a scholarship from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (BMBWK) for professional development courses.
Minal has participated in numerous professional development seminars for teachers in Canada, for example, with the British Columbia Council for Teachers of German (BCCTG), the Canadian Association for German Schools (KVDS), and the Canadian Association for Teachers of German (CATG). She works full-time as a career advisor for the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants program at Back in Motion Rehab Inc. She recently obtained her national designation as Certified Career Development Practitioner. Minal has been taking lessons in Indian Classical Vocal Music since 2023. Besides, she has been a member of Toastmasters since 2015. Minal has assumed executive roles such as club secretary & VP of Education in her home club & served as an area director in 2024-25. Since last fall, she has been actively involved in starting a German-speaking Toastmasters club. The group meets online once a week on Tuesdays & in-person once a month
Her favourite thing about SGLS is the community, and her least favourite thing is commuting to school.
Her favorite German saying is “Kleider machen Leute, aber der Schein bestimmt nicht das Sein.”
Teacher since 2023
My name is Tanmay Joshi, and I’ve been teaching German as a foreign and second language for over 20 years (although this is only my second year at the wonderful Surrey German Language School), long enough to have survived countless battles with der, die, das and to emerge mostly victorious. Over the years, I’ve taught everyone from energetic primary school children to thoughtful teenagers and determined adults, both in person and online. A key part of my work is preparing learners for exams such as the German Language Diploma (DSD), CEFR-based exams and Goethe-Institut certificates. Still, my true aim has never been to produce flawless test-takers, but confident speakers who aren’t afraid to make mistakes because that’s usually where the learning (and the laughter) begins.
I believe good teaching starts with curiosity, which is why I continue to regularly dive into professional development in digital teaching methods, action-oriented approaches and differentiated instruction. Being multilingual, German, Marathi, Hindi, English and a respectful amount of French, allows me to switch perspectives almost as often as languages.
Outside the classroom, I recharge by reading books, writing stories and poems in several languages, cycling, swimming and hiking preferably somewhere scenic and grammar-free. I also enjoy building cardboard models, writing proper letters (yes, with envelopes and stamps) and cooking, which, much like language learning, works best with patience, creativity and the occasional improvisation. What keeps me passionate, even after two decades, is that moment when learners stop translating word by word and suddenly realise: Hey, this actually makes sense.
If I were to sum up my attitude towards this beautiful language, I would say: “German looks strict at first glance, but it has a quiet wit and once you learn to listen, it rewards you with clarity, precision and the occasional linguistic wink.”
Teacher since 2023
Teacher since 2019
Frau Wolfram was born in Berlin and moved to Canada in 1996. She worked in the airline industry for 20 years and was involved in training.
Her oldest daughter started to attend Surrey German Language school in 2013. Her second daughter was born in 2017, which is when Juliane started to volunteer at the school’s Concession Stand. She really enjoyed being around other German speaking families and the tight community right from the start.
In 2019 she joined the teaching team at Surrey German Language School! Juliane first started as a teacher assistant for the G1/2 class. With the start of the pandemic in 2020 she taught the Online Junior class for 2 years. Since September 2022 she is teaching the G1/2 class.
Here is a little more about Juliane, and what she enjoys about teaching:
“Coming to work each Saturday morning and doing what I love, teaching, is such a joy for me. I love to work with children and seeing them thrive. During the week I work for the Surrey School District as an Education Assistant. In my free time I love to spend time with my family and friends, reading, and travelling”.
Teacher since 2018
How many years have you been at the Surrey German Language School?
I honestly don’t know when to start counting. The first day of school in 2014 (I believe), when my son started grade 1, they were looking to fill the vacancy of the library coordinator. I raised my hand – and never looked back. In 2018, I joined the teaching staff.
What classes have you taught throughout the years?
I taught DSD 1 from 2018 to 2021 and G8 for one year – they joined the online DSD 1 class during Covid for one year. I then taught the DSD 2 prep in 2022 and now DSD 2 (including prep) since 2023.
Can you give us a short biographical sketch?
I was born in Germany and grew up in a small town north of Frankfurt am Main.
As some may know, the school system is different in Germany. I graduated from high school in Friedberg with the “Abitur”. Afterwards, I studied German linguistics for several years but switched subjects and graduated as a geologist.
During my time at university, I worked part-time at a bookstore for years. I also enjoyed working in large-format digital printing.
After graduating from university, I took the time to travel and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. In 2006, I came to Canada on a work & travel visa. I found a job within two weeks and I have been with that same company ever since.
In my life outside of SGLS, I work for a company that offers Ground Penetrating Radar services. I have a son, a husband, and two huskies.
What is your favourite thing about SGLS?
During my volunteering years, I very much enjoyed the community of other parents. I miss that, to be honest, because I’m pretty much stuck in the classroom now on Saturdays. I have found my best friends through German school.
What else would you like to tell the school community?
I love seeing the kids grow up. My goal as a teacher is to help them turn into responsible and critical thinking adults.
Teacher since 2018
Frau Kent has been teaching the G5/6 at the SGLS since 2018. She is married, has a daughter named Nadine, and a dog named Maisey.
Born in Hamburg, she grew up in Lüneburg in northern Germany and came to Canada as a young adult. She has also lived in Hong Kong for 10 years, where she says she had the time of her life!
Here is more about her in her own words:
Wishing all a fun filled and successful school year 2025/2026!
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