Sharon Blane grew up in Europe, the U.S., and Africa. Because of that, she speaks French and German fluently, having gone to primary school in both languages and to high school in the French part of Switzerland. She went to university in France, getting a degree in German, thus covering both languages. An avowed language “nerd,” Sharon also has proficiency in Polish which she learned for the military. Sharon has taught beginning French and German at UAB. She also worked in all three languages for the U.S. Department of State, having had postings in Germany, Poland, Senegal, and Chad. Additionally, she has worked as a translator/interpreter in French and German. Prior to retiring to Birmingham, Sharon taught English to adult foreigners in Virginia. She loves languages and teaching and has enjoyed her classes at Samford Academy of the Arts.