About Wits Language School

In response to a need for part-time communication training, Wits Language School was established in 1997. The school is part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand. Wits Language School offers part-time tuition in over 10 languages as well as a full time English as a Foreign Language programme. Due to the demand from private companies and government organisations, the school also offers Corporate Language courses designed around an organisation’s specific needs.

The four areas of the Wits Language School are run by Course Coordinators who report to the Director of the Language School.

DR NHLANHLA THWALA was appointed Director of the Wits Language School in Dec, 2006. Dr Thwala has taught in Swaziland, the USA, the UK and several schools in South Africa where he taught English, History, Academic Communication Skills, Zulu and Linguistics. He obtained his Masters at Syracuse University in 1990 followed by his PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1995. His areas of interest include language pedagogy, language policy and formal syntax. Dr Thwala believes that knowledge is hidden behind language.

ALESSIA MILANESE: (African and Foreign Languages)
Alessia has an Honours in English Literature from Wits University, as well as a Masters in Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town. She is a qualified English language instructor having completed a CELTA course (Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults). She is also a teacher of Italian. Alessia has been involved in teaching English and Italian to adults and children since 1997. 
 

JUDITH STERNBERG: (English Improvement)
Judith’s interest in language began when she found herself in Germany without any means of communicating. Judith has an Honours in Applied Linguistics from the UK.  She has worked with Second language English speakers in South Africa since 1989.  She is presently involved in designing South African specific English courses and assessment tools.  Judith is an ETDP registered assessor. 

TRISH COOPER: (English as a Foreign Language)
Trish completed an Honours degree in Linguistics from Rhodes University, and a Masters in Applied Linguistics from the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is a qualified English language instructor having completed a CELTA course (Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults). This has enabled Trish to focus on teaching English to students from all over the world.