Bill Heinz, President & CEO

Languages Spoken: English and German. Learning Spanish.

Countries Lived In and Visited: Lived in United States and Germany (visited East Germany when it was still East Germany). Visited Canada, Mexico, England, Wales, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Japan.

Favorite Expression in Another Language: Warum, warum ist die Banane krumm?

Funniest Memory Involving a Cultural Lesson or Collision: While studying at the Universität Stuttgart, I was considering buying a new watch at the Kaufhof (local mega store). In order to get a feel for how I would like it, I decided to cut out a picture of the watch and tape it on my left wrist. The day I did it, I was walking to class and a German student walks up to me and asks, “Entschuldigen Sie bitte, wie viel Uhr ist es?” (Do you have the time?). Paralyzed…I responded, “Es tut mir leid…meine Uhr is kaputt!” (I’m sorry, my watch is broken). He looked at me curiously…and I’m sure he was thinking, “No, your watch is made out of paper!”

Why I’m Working with Los Monitos: I bought this company because it represents a collision of my passions and interests. It has an international focus, it has tremendous growth potential, and it allows me to put to work the entrepreneurial spirit I was born with. Above all, though, Los Monitos Language Center creates and cultivates relationships that would never have existed before.

Sara Silva, Programs and Promotions Manager

Languages Spoken: Spanish, English and basic Italian.

Countries Lived In and Visited: Lived in Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia and USA. Visited Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Spain, Costa Rica.

Favorite Expression in Another Language: C'est la vie!

Funniest Memory Involving a Cultural Lesson or Collision: Funny or plain embarrassing? I don’t know, but after moving in here from Mexico, my sister in law, my husband and I went out for lunch at a restaurant. When the server asked what we wanted to drink, I said “natural water.” He looked at me with a big question mark on his face (in Mexico when you order tap water at a restaurant you say: “quiero agua natural”). It never occurred to me that one WOULDN’T have to be specific. Hmmmph!

Why I’m Working with Los Monitos: Because it’s the best place to work for someone who loves different cultures, languages and people.

Maria Kupper, Student Experience Manager

Languages Spoken: English and Spanish.

Countries Lived In and Visited:I lived in Spain for 6 months. I have visited England, Puerto Rico, and Australia.

Favorite Expression in Another Language: "Tener avispas en el culo," which is the Spanish equivalent of "having ants in your pants." Please don't make the same word choice mistake I made below on my cultural lesson list.

Funniest Memory Involving a Cultural Lesson or Collision:In the first few weeks of living with my Spanish family in Spain, I was helping move a chair from the living room to the kitchen. Low and behold there was a wasp hanging out where my hands clutched the seat, upon feeling a piercing sting, I screamed “Un obispo un obispo, se me ha picado!” My Spanish family burst out laughing. But why you may ask? I was trying to say “a wasp, a wasp has stung me,” but instead of saying avispa, I said obispo, which means bishop.

Why I'm Working with Los Monitos:When my parents decided to name me Maria, I think they predestined me to one, learn Spanish, and two, be forever fascinated by Spanish culture. After teaching Spanish at LMLC for a few short months, I realized that I wanted to be involved with the company in bigger way. When the Student Experience Manager positioned opened up, I was ecstatic to take the opportunity. I love working here so I can use my experiences to help others find their way in their pursuits of learning a foreign language. It is great to be a part of something that helps people broaden their horizons, both linguistically and culturally.

Other Interests:Coaching field hockey, running in Cherokee park, painting and I can spend every spare minute of my day in the garden.

Julie Purcell, Manager of School Programs / StarTalk Program Director

Languages Spoken: English and basic Arabic and French.

Countries Lived In and Visited: Egypt (5 years) and France. Visits to Israel, England, Greece, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain.

Favorite Expression in Another Language: Bokra fil mish mish - Literally: Tomorrow in the apricot. Means: Yeah right, its not going to happen by tomorrow… A perfect expression to reflect one’s need for patience in Egypt.

Funniest Memory Involving a Cultural Lesson or Collision: Every moment living in Egypt provided a cultural lesson. It was probably funnier to the Egyptians I spoke with that I could never fully master the difference in pronunciation between “bathroom” and “pigeon”.

Why I’m Working with Los Monitos: I work at Los Monitos because language is a key to intercultural connection. This type of experience has been the most eye-opening and horizon-broadening of my life, and I want to others to have it. Not everyone can travel or live abroad, but luckily, as our world here is diversifying as we have more and more opportunities to experience and connect with people who have different ways of speaking, thinking, and behaving… these differences are fascinating and something to really be enjoyed. The bigger I realize the world is, the more exciting that is for me. At Los Monitos, we work to give all of our students the invaluable ability to be able to connect across borders – both physical and cultural. We do this by imparting strong conversational abilities and cultural information resulting in linguistic competency and cultural awareness.