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Meet Andrew, Teacher, Banker and Postman (Retired)
- maryhartley19
- Nov 10
- 1 min read
Name: Andrew
Degree: French and German at the University of Oxford
How did you spend your Year Abroad?
Working as a teaching assistant in a lycée in France
Briefly outline your journey from graduation to now.
9 years in international banking
26 years as a primary school teacher
5 years as a postman
Retirement
How was your languages degree useful during your career?
I never had a job which was directly related to my language skills. But having a facility with language made me more useful in several positions that I had. In international banking I was able to translate documents and carry out phone conversations with French-speaking countries. In primary school teaching, when modern languages were added to the curriculum, I was able to teach my own class with confidence and also offer to teach lessons with the classes of less confident teachers. Even as a postman there were occasions when a customer with limited English needed help in his/her own language.
Do you use or practise your languages outside of work?
I love to use my languages. Since university, I have added Italian and Vietnamese to my repertoire, as well as a smattering of Polish, Croatian, Spanish and Greek in order to communicate on holidays. I would think of it as a lifelong hobby, and one which has brought me no end of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Thanks very much to Andrew for sharing his journey!
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