About Julie

Julie FairleyOwner & Teacher

Julie Fairley

Owner & Teacher

I was born and brought up in Aberdeen but have studied, lived and worked in a number of locations.   I graduated from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with a M.A. (Hons) in International Business Studies and Modern Languages.  Upon graduating, I taught EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in Osaka, Japan, an experience which sparked my long-standing passion for teaching and travel.  This very positive introduction to teaching inspired me to pursue a teaching certificate (Trinity Certificate – TEFL) which I secured shortly after returning from overseas. 

Though the majority of my working career has been in business, my passion for teaching never diminished, such that I took a 6-month career break to teach as a volunteer in Cameroon.   In 2015, I decided to make a permanent return from business to teaching and combined this change of career direction with the fulfilment of a childhood desire to live and work in Spain.  I was offered a teaching role in Pamplona where I taught English to adults of all ages and levels.   Not only did my time there cement my decision to pursue teaching longer-term, it also re-ignited my love for Spain and Spanish culture, including the language. 

The pull to be nearer family and friends saw my return to my native Aberdeen in 2016.  After a period teaching back here, I felt it was the right time to start my own EFL business and so Alpha Language Centre was born.  I am driven by a genuine desire to serve the international community here in Aberdeen and beyond.

I get great satisfaction from helping students of all ages, levels and nationalities with their language needs and look forward to giving you a warm Scottish welcome!