Confluence Scotland was set up in 2005 to expand on the in-company language training already being offered from our Musselburgh base (near Edinburgh) by Language Links. Director Dr Alison Hiley saw an opportunity to develop the scope internationally, and offer both translation and training services UK wide and to overseas clients, in addition to those based locally.
The Confluence Scotland teachers and translators come from a wide network of professional linguists. Our native speaker teachers and trainers share wide and varied experience across all academic levels, from primary to adult education, while our translators are all specialists in their chosen fields. Visit our Language Services now.
Alison Hiley has a background in academic study (BAHons Durham, PhD Edinburgh) and university teaching (German language, literature & translation at the Universities of Exeter & Edinburgh, & cultural history for the Open University). She is also TEFL trained, holds a Certificate in International Business English Training (with distinction) and has a postgraduate qualification in business & management from the University of Edinburgh. Alison has taught English to non-native speakers throughout central Scotland. Alison’s varied experience, in cultural history, language tuition and cultural tour guiding, naturally lent itself to the provision of customised courses and study visits for those with a particular interest in educational and professional links with Scotland. To this end she has gathered a team around her with particular experience and interest in establishing cultural and business links with Europe.
Tine Breusch, a graduate of the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, has taught all ages in her native Germany, from primary through to further education. She is also a qualified DaF [German as a foreign language] teacher and enjoys teaching German to adults and preparing school pupils and students for exams. Tine’s experience in both Germany and Scotland is invaluable for our work hosting visits from teachers and other educationalists from German speaking lands.
Barbara Jones is an honours graduate of St Andrews University in Geography with French and holds a Masters diploma in French Translation from the University of Salford. She has worked in Publishing for Reid Elsevier in Paris and has worked as a freelance translator. She also holds a PGCE from Moray House (Edinburgh University) and has worked for many years as a secondary school teacher of Modern Languages. More recently she has gained her CELTA Teaching certificate and has taught EFL both to adults and teenagers. She also has experience of working with primary age groups in a variety of settings. Working with Confluence Scotland, Barbara is enjoying combining her linguistic skills, varied teaching experience and background in translating and publishing to assist clients with their language learning and cultural training requirements.
Julie Cunningham is an Honours graduate in German & Spanish from the University of Strathclyde. Her language skills proved very useful from early in her career, whilst working in the export business for IBM and leading Scotch whisky producer, the Edrington Group. More recently Julie gained her CELTA Certificate and has taught EFL in Austria, Spain and here in the UK. Working with Confluence Scotland, Julie is enjoying combining her linguistic skills, teaching experience and business background to assist clients with their language learning and cultural training requirements.