Good morning! I’m Karin!
Linguist and expert on multilingualism

I was born and raised in Italy and discovered my deep passion for foreign languages quite early in life. While I was studying Foreign Languages and Literatures at the University of Verona I joined the Erasmus Program and spent two years in Germany. This is where I developed personal strategies to learn German and worked in a big international company. I was awarded my Bachelor Degree in 2004 with the thesis “The intercultural character of an international company – PT/SMP department by Robert Bosch GmbH”. Afterwards I moved to Barcelona to learn Spanish.

After two years in Spain, I got my Master’s Degree in Linguistics at the University of Verona, with the thesis “Scalar implicatures and language pathology – A research proposal on dyslexia.” I discovered the fascinating world of developmental dyslexia and became a professional tutor for supporting dyslexic students. In the course of my work as a tutor I developed different strategies to overcome foreign language learning difficulties. I taught English and Spanish combining my teaching abilities with my experience as a language learner.

After obtaining my Master’s Degree I won a scholarship for a PhD Program in Linguistics and was to learn even more about dyslexia, language acquisition, language learning and bilingualism as a resource for individuals and society. During my French sojourn in Toulouse I designed an experimental protocol to analyze foreign language learning difficulties in children with developmental dyslexia. In September 2013 I gained my PhD in Linguistics with the thesis: “Developmental Dyslexia and Foreign Language Learning. A working memory approach.”

I am self-employed in Austria, putting on conferences, training courses and consultant services on the topic of multilingualism. I also work as a freelance Italian teacher. In my conferences I help people to appreciate the benefits of bilingualism and to find useful strategies to manage and promote it both at school and in the family. I teach educators and professionals how to create an environment that encourages multilingualism and multiculturalism. I underline the importance of maintaining the mother tongue and I teach effective strategies for learning other languages. 

My CV on LinkedIn

Collaborations / professional memberships:

• International School Carinthia – ISC
• Carithian International Club – CIC
• Berufsförderungsinstitut Kärnten – BFI
• Plattform Migration Villach
• Associazione Italiana di Linguistica Applicata – AItLA
• WIFI Kärnten – WIFI
• Pädagogische Hochschule Kärnten
• Carinthia University of Applied Sciences
• Lernen mit Pferden