The Benefits The FocalVocal team consists of highly qualified and culturally aware drama and language teachers; linguists; journalists; management, communication and personal effectiveness trainers and professional actors. FocalVocal trainers and actors have all been handpicked for their extensive experience in either or both the corporate and public sectors and passion for making the learning process a highly enjoyable, creative and successful one. Our use of theatre and role-play in our teaching and our pragmatic, practical approach to learning allows you to not only practise and develop your skills in a safe, non-judgmental environment, but allows you to better retain the information you have been given and feel confident to apply the skills you have learnt. And finally, if English is not your first language and you have trouble in understanding, we will instantaneously translate what is being taught into either German or French, as required. To complement our courses we offer: A free follow-up call. An opportunity for you to discuss on a one-to-one basis with your trainer your development since the course. A free pack to complement your course filled with exercises and ideas to help you continue to reach your full potential. DVDs of the course you have attended. Follow-up days can be offered upon arrangement What is the aim of a follow-up day? A follow-up day is offered in order to enable participants to return to the training group and share how they have practised what they have learnt, evaluate how far they have gone in working on their personal action plan. This day will enable participants to reflect on and evaluate their own achievements, share with others what worked well and discuss areas that presented more of a challenge. The course facilitators will use this information to enable the group to engage in further practice work on communication techniques that will assist in developing skills and confidence in these areas. The day will end with further goal setting and exploring what structures can be developed in the workplace to enable participants to continue to support each other in their goals. Discounts on subscription to three or more courses, pilot days and follow-up days. About Us Some of the Team   Monica Lowenberg Trainer in Public Speaking, Presentation Skills and Media Training Monica initially studied hotel, catering and institutional management at Brighton University before throwing caution to the wind and training as an actress and singer at... (read more...) Gyuri Sarossy Trainer in Public Speaking and Presentation Skills and Actor Gyuri trained as an actor at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, winning the Carlton Hobbs Radio Drama Award in his final year. Prior to that, he graduated from Nottingham University with a First Class... (read more...) Gareth Rubin Trainer in Media Training and Actor Gareth holds MAs in English literature from St Andrews university, and in drama from Essex university (with a dissertation on the use of the word 'The' In Waiting for Godot); and a post-grad certificate in journalism from the National Council... (read more...) Clare Concannon Trainer in Customer Care, Work/Life Balance, Assertiveness and Communication Skills On successfully completing an OND in Hotel and Catering Operations at Ealing College, Clare went on to obtain a certificate in Group Training Techniques, with the Hotel and Catering Training Board. Following... (read more...) Chris Robinson Trainer in Management Development After some years in accountancy, Chris started a new career as a training advisor with The Industrial Society, specializing in leadership and management training in a white-collar environment. First as an advisor, later as... (read more...) Bill Blass Trainer in Sales After initially studying pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde, Bill chose to switch professions and work in sales. After thirty years in the profession, Bill is a recognised Fellow of the Institute of...(read more...) Monika Key Trainer in Personal Effectiveness Training A graduate with a BA Hons in French, German and Spanish from Bristol University, Monika completed a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies at City of London Polytechnic and with distinction a Further Education Teacher's... (read more...) Stephan Erdman Facilitator and Actor An actor/coach/facilitator and NLP Practitioner, Stephan is bilingual in German and English. He trained as an actor at the Drama Centre in London and regularly keeps his training skills... (read more...) Stephanie Schonfield Facilitator for Diversity, Communication Skills and Actor After graduating in English and Drama (BA Hons) from Goldsmiths, University of London, Stephanie trained to be an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. She recently enhanced her training... (read more...) Adrian Peck Facilitator and Actor Adrian graduated with a BA (Hons) in English & German from Oxford University, and is a bilingual German speaker. While at Oxford, he was President of the Magdalen Players, directing and acting in some 20 productions. In 2008, due... (read more...) Isolte Avila Actor Isolte trained with the Cuban Ballet and The Netherlands Dance Theatre. She has a degree in Dance from California Institute of the Arts where she won a scholarship from the Disney Foundation. Born in Cuba Isolte is bi-lingual in Spanish... (read more...) Karen Bartholomew Scriptwriter and Actor Karen studied drama at Middlesex and Sacramento University, California. She also began writing sketches and the occasional draft of stand up comedy for University productions. After graduating Karen launched into educational theatre... (read more...) Katy Bartrop Actor A gifted linguist and actor Katy speaks French and German. She initially graduated from Nottingham University with a BA Honors Degree in French... (read more...) David Karl Bower Actor David Trained at Reading University's Theatre of The Deaf with Theatr Clwd in North Wales, and Carovana Dance Company in Sardenia... (read more...) Debbie Chazen Actor Debbie trained as an actor at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where she won both the Patricia Lawrence Scholarship and a Laurence Olivier Bursary (SWET)... (read more...) Andrew Byron Actor Andrew grew up in a bilingual French/English family which has given him a lasting fascination with languages. Andrew has an MA in Russian (St. Andrews) as well as a basic knowledge of German, Spanish and... (read more...) Alex Dower Actor Alex has been acting for over thirty years, from playing Ahmal in Ahmal and the Night Visitors at school when he was six, to acting alongside Christina Ricci in the British Horror film, The Gathering. Alex holds a BA Honors degree in... (read more...) Pradeep Jey Actor Pradeep successfully completed a three year degree (validated by the University of Manchester) from the accredited and highly regarded Rose Bruford College. He also holds a Diploma in NLP... (read more...) Damian Lynch Actor Damian graduated from the University of Nottingham with a second class division one BA Honours Degree, in French & German (which included a year working as a Language Assistant in a bi-lingual grammar school in Northwest Germany). After... (read more...) Camilla Mathias Actor A degree in French and Drama at Queen Mary and Westfield College, (University of London), spurred Camilla to train as an actress at Central School of Speech and Drama (London) and later at the Atelier Raymond-Girard in Paris.  Awarded at... (read more...) Louise Mai Newberry Actor Louise Mai read English at Selwyn College Cambridge where she received a BA Hons and MA. She later studied for an art foundation at Central St Martin’s before training at East 15 Acting School. Louise Mai also holds a yoga... (read more...) Anthony May Actor Anthony joined the National Youth Theatre and then trained at R.A.D.A... (read more...) Neil Sheffield Actor After successfully completing a BTec in Business Studies at Solihull College of Technology, Neil subsequently trained as an actor at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts London before going on to study acting and directing at the... (read more...) Mark Stevenson Actor Mark studied drama at The Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama in Glasgow, before going on to study film at the All Russia State Institute for... (read more...)