Vera Dirr

Johannesburg, South Africa

Tel: +27725059291

I am a reliable and diligent individual. I am fluent in both German and English on a mother tongue level and am looking for freelance German to English translation work, having recently retired from full-time teaching.

Background information

I was born in South Africa to German-speaking immigrants. I was raised in a German-speaking home and attended English-speaking primary and high schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12. I also attended German lessons on a weekly basis in order to become familiar with the German language in a more formal manner (grammar, etc.) and learn about the German culture on a deeper level.

Education, training and qualifications

1990 – 1995 NILD (National Institute for Learning Disabilities, USA)

Various courses in Germany and South Africa

1976 – 1979 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in German,

Higher Diploma in Education

1971 – 1975 General Smuts High School

Senior Certificate (South African school-leaving qualification) Subjects: English First Language, Afrikaans Second Language, German, Latin, Mathematics, Biology, History

1964 – 1970 Milton Primary School

Work experience

2004 – 2016 Teacher, Hope School (school for the physically disabled), Johannesburg,

2004-2010: Foundation Phase, all grades (Grade R – Grade 3)

2011-2016: Intermediate Phase, Grade 4 – 6. Subjects: English, History, Geography

2003 Teacher, Glenview Primary School, Johannesburg

Grade 2

1994 – 2007 Therapist for children with learning difficulties in private practice (partly alongside working as a teacher)

1984 – 1994 Break in employment to raise my three children

1980 – 1983 Teacher at West Ridge High, Roodepoort

Grade 8 – 10. Subjects: German, Afrikaans