Hollywood
meets Hamburg.
1979 — Hi, World
I’m Christopher Esposito, co-founder of yes and english — a Californian surfer turned Business English trainer. For the past 10 years, I’ve been teaching Business English here in Hamburg, working with companies like Lufthansa Technik, Airbus, Philips, and Vattenfall. Before that, I spent three years teaching in Bali and over 20 years working and traveling the world — collecting stories, languages, and a deep love for human connection along the way.
1995 — Howdy, SoCal
My first job was as a Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard. Where my 5am practice and dedication to our nationally ranked water polo team allowed me to channel my inner David Hasselhoff and rescue over 100 people over the course of seven summers. That experience taught me confidence, adaptability, and presence in the moment — the same skills I bring into every training session today.
1997 — And... Action!
Started studying film at UC Santa Barbara, got hooked on documentaries and German cinema and stumbled into improv for the first time. I worked as a production assistant on a handful of student films, medium-famous music videos and shined as an extra on brilliant TV shows like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (still my career highlight). I interned in the news department of the local ABC-TV station, worked at KCSB Radio, and even bumped into Charlize Theron on the set of the Disney film ‘Mighty Joe Young.’ Not a bad start to work life.
2004 — Griaß Di, Zugspitze
After graduating I began exploring the world. Starting with conquering Europe. With a homebase in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I led snowboarding tours for US soldiers and German special forces on vacation in the Alps. I traveled with fellow ski bums to over 30 countries around the continent. Here’s where I dabbled into my first foray with English training - during my breaks as the greatest Sandwich Artist of the base Subway (another story), I tutored international dignitaries at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. I was hooked - both to traveling the world and helping/leading others along the way.
2006 — Aloha, Hawaii
A two year detour into hospitality led me down the Road to Hana, Hawaii. Joining a 5-star restaurant team as a waiter, bartender and tour guide at the Hotel Hana-Maui, a top 100 Boutique Hotel of the world. Served Lady Gaga, Sean Penn and had another run in with Charlize Theron (fate?) - all the while learning the art of service, teamwork and international communication.
2011 — Ni Hao + Namaste
Fresh off my TESOL Certificate, my brother Will and I backpacked Asia for a year and a half. China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Indonesia blew our Americanized pea size minds - wait, we’re not the center of the universe? Ten months in India and China especially gave me a new perspective on life beyond the West, and a deeper appreciation for how curiosity, openness, and shared experiences bring people together.
2012 — Pagi Pagi, Bali
Bali became home. For three years I taught English at JB School, working with international students and running projects for the English department. It was a time of teaching growth, cultural exchange and creative leadership. The real highlight, though? Meeting a gorgeous, genius German on the beach in Lombok — and she somehow smuggled me back into Europe.
2015 — Moin, Hamburg
Teaching all over Hamburg for the past decade now — from City Nord to Harburg, from Philips and Lufthansa Technik to Airbus and TUI Cruises. I’ve worked one-on-one with executives and led full team workshops, always adapting to real business needs. And I started to realize more and more: stiff, textbook English just isn’t cutting it. My students — brave, clever and often funnier than they realize — crave connection and want to share experiences. With room for improv and storytelling, they open up, take risks and connect in new ways. They know past tense; now they need future confidence. That’s how the idea for yes and english was born.
2020 — So long, Suckers
The world is drowning in Zoom calls and I got stuck in my own kind of lockdown. Two rounds of leukemia, two stem cell transplants and about six months in hospital isolation. Not exactly the gap year I had planned but somewhere between chemo and bad hospital food, I learned how to strip life down to the essentials, laugh at the rest, stay grateful and curious - and see that nothing beats real, meaningful in-person connection. That’s when yes and english started to really take shape — a no-nonsense, all-human antidote to a world gone flat-screen.
(on a personal note)
I’m forever grateful to the team at UKE and DKMS for finding me my lifesaving donor. If you haven’t already, please sign up with DKMS. Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. In Germany, it’s every 12 minutes. For most, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of survival. It only takes a few minutes to order the kit, swab your cheek, mail it back - and you’re ready to literally save someone’s life.
2025 — Meet Julie
My favorite wife and co-founder Julie was wild enough to say yes and is currently starring as CEO (Chris Esposito’s Operator) as well as the creative and strategic voice cheering from behind the curtains. With a diploma in Chinese and Business Administration and over 15 years in communication, she takes care of concept, brand development, UX design and learning experiences. And as I still struggle a bit with my B1 German, Julie is also your primary contact for scheduling, questions and making sure the show must go on!
1997 | And...action!
Started studying film at UC Santa Barbara and discovered improv for the first time. I worked as a production assistant on a handful of medium-famous music videos and somehow ended up as an extra on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (still my career highlight). I interned at KEYT-TV, worked at KCSB Radio, and even bumped into Charlize Theron on the set of Mighty Joe Young. Not a bad start to student life.
2011 | Ni Hao and Namaste
Did my TESOL Training Certificates and somehow get to travel Asia for a year. Blown away by India and China...
1995 | Howdy SoCal
My first job was as a Newport Beach lifeguard, where I somehow supposedly rescued over 100 people over the course of 7 years. That experience taught me confidence, adaptability, and presence in the moment — the same skills I bring into every training session today. Through improv and face-to-face practice, I help professionals in Hamburg speak English with more confidence, clarity, and impact.
1979 | Meet Chris
I’m Christopher Esposito, founder of yes and english — a Californian surfer turned Business English trainer here in Hamburg. For the past 10 years, I’ve been teaching Business English here in Hamburg, working with companies like Lufthansa Technik, Airbus, Philips, and Vattenfall. Before that, I spent three years teaching in Bali and 20 years traveling the world — collecting stories, languages, and a deep love for human connection along the way.
2012 | Selamat Pagi Bali
Teaching at JB School in Bali for three years, working with international students and running English department projects. Also, met a wonderful German on the Beach of Lombok that was crazy enough to take me in.
2007 | Aloha Hawaii
A detour into hospitality in Hawaii for two years: leading a restaurant team and learning the art of service, teamwork, and international communication.
2015 | Moin Hamburg
Teaching all over Hamburg. From City Nord to Harburg, from Philips and Lufthansa to Airbus and TUI Cruises. I started to realize more and more: stiff, textbook English wasn’t cutting it. The yes and english idea is born.
2020 | So long, suckers
The world is drowning in Zoom calls and I got stuck in my own kind of lockdown: two rounds of leukemia, two stem cell transplants, and about half a year in hospital isolation over the years. Not exactly the gap year I had planned but somewhere between chemo and bad hospital food, I learned how to strip life down to the essentials, laugh at the rest, and see that nothing beats real, meaningful in-person connection. That’s when Yes and English started to really take shape — a no-nonsense, all-human antidote to a world gone flat-screen.
2025 | Meet Julie
I amazingly got Julie on board to start this with me. Now she's the creative and strategic voice behind yes and English. With over 15 years of experience in communication, she takes care of concept, brand development, UX design and learning experiences. And as I still struggle a bit with my B1 German, she's also your go-to German contact for scheduling, questions, and making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.
(On a personal note)
I’m forever grateful to the team at UKE and DKMS for finding me my lifesaving donor. If you haven’t already, please sign up with DKMS. Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. In Germany, it’s every 12 minutes. For many, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of survival. It only takes a few minutes, and you might literally save someone’s life.
Our values
Value meaningful communication. Be kind, open, honest, and constructive — with yourself, with others, with your company, with the world.
Be a good human
Because we need allies. Real success is built on collaboration, compromise, and compassion.
Make others shine
Humor works better than fear. Always. It creates joy, trust, and connection. It opens doors faster than flawless grammar ever will.
Lead with levity
Our mission
Connection beats correction. At yes and english, our mission is simple: no more fear-driven, grammar-obsessed English. Life’s too short for that. We want you to use English the way it’s meant to be used — to connect, create, and actually enjoy yourself while doing it.
Our job is to help leaders, teams, and change-makers speak as boldly in English as they do in their own language. More collaboration. More impact. Less sweating over verb tenses.
Value meaningful communication. Be kind, open, honest and constructive with yourself, with others, with your company, with the world.
Be a good human
Because we need allies. Real success is built on collaboration, compromise and compassion.
Make others shine
Humor works better than fear. Always. It creates joy, trust, and connection. It opens doors faster than flawless grammar ever will.
Lead with levity
Our mission
Connection beats correction. At yes and english, our mission is simple: no more fear-driven, grammar-obsessed English. Life’s too short for that. We want you to use English the way it’s meant to be used — to connect, create, and actually enjoy yourself while doing it.
Our job is to help leaders, teams, and change-makers speak as boldly in English as they do in their own language. More collaboration. More impact. Less sweating over verb tenses.
Our values
Our purpose
Yes, AI is everywhere. Yes, the world feels like it’s on fast-forward. But here’s the secret: the real competitive edge is still people. People who connect, who care, who can improvise when things go sideways.
That’s why we’re more than an English program. We train confidence. We train presence. We train a positive mindset, fearless communication, and the human skills that drive trust and joy.
Our purpose is to prepare you — and your team — not just to speak English, but to thrive in a world that needs bold, empathetic, and agile communicators.
And we know how to do this. After more than 15 years of teaching across companies, schools, and cultures, we’ve seen what really works (and what definitely doesn’t).
Our purpose
Yes, AI is everywhere. Yes, the world feels like it’s on fast-forward. But here’s the secret: the real competitive edge is still people. People who connect, who care, who can improvise when things go sideways.
That’s why we’re more than an English program. We train confidence. We train presence. We train a positive mindset, fearless communication, and the human skills that drive trust and joy.
Our purpose is to prepare you — and your team — not just to speak English, but to thrive in a world that needs bold, empathetic and agile communicators.
And we know how to do this — after more than 15 years of teaching across companies, schools, and cultures, we’ve seen what really works (and what definitely doesn’t).
The future is human.
Hollywood
meets Hamburg.
Hollywood
meets Hamburg.
1979 — Hi, World
I’m Christopher Esposito, co-founder of yes and english — a Californian surfer turned Business English trainer. For the past 10 years, I’ve been teaching Business English here in Hamburg, working with companies like Lufthansa Technik, Airbus, Philips, and Vattenfall. Before that, I spent three years teaching in Bali and over 20 years working and traveling the world — collecting stories, languages, and a deep love for human connection along the way.
1995 — Howdy, SoCal
My first job was as a Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard. Where my 5am practice and dedication to our nationally ranked water polo team allowed me to channel my inner David Hasselhoff and rescue over 100 people over the course of seven summers. That experience taught me confidence, adaptability, and presence in the moment — the same skills I bring into every training session today.
1997 — And... Action!
Started studying film at UC Santa Barbara, got hooked on documentaries and German cinema and stumbled into improv for the first time. I worked as a production assistant on a handful of student films, medium-famous music videos and shined as an extra on brilliant TV shows like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (still my career highlight). I interned in the news department of the local ABC-TV station, worked at KCSB Radio, and even bumped into Charlize Theron on the set of the Disney film ‘Mighty Joe Young.’ Not a bad start to work life.
2004 — Grüß Gott, Zugspitze
After graduating I began exploring the world. Starting with conquering Europe. With a homebase in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I led snowboarding tours for US soldiers and German special forces on vacation in the Alps. I traveled with fellow ski bums to over 30 countries around the continent. Here’s where I dabbled into my first foray with English training - during my breaks as the greatest Sandwich Artist of the base Subway (another story), I tutored international dignitaries at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. I was hooked - both to traveling the world and helping/leading others along the way.
2007 | Aloha Hawaii
A detour into hospitality in Hawaii for two years: leading a restaurant team and learning the art of service, teamwork, and international communication.
2011 | Ni Hao and Namaste
Did my TESOL Training Certificates and somehow get to travel Asia for a year. Blown away by India and China...
2012 | Selamat Pagi Bali
Teaching at JB School in Bali for three years, working with international students and running English department projects. Also, met a wonderful German on the Beach of Lombok that was crazy enough to take me in.
2015 | Moin Hamburg
Teaching all over Hamburg. From City Nord to Harburg, from Philips and Lufthansa to Airbus and TUI Cruises. I started to realize more and more: stiff, textbook English wasn’t cutting it. The yes and english idea is born.
2020 | So long, suckers
The world is drowning in Zoom calls and I got stuck in my own kind of lockdown: two rounds of leukemia, two stem cell transplants, and about half a year in hospital isolation over the years. Not exactly the gap year I had planned but somewhere between chemo and bad hospital food, I learned how to strip life down to the essentials, laugh at the rest, and see that nothing beats real, meaningful in-person connection. That’s when Yes and English started to really take shape — a no-nonsense, all-human antidote to a world gone flat-screen.
(On a personal note)
I’m forever grateful to the team at UKE and DKMS for finding me my lifesaving donor. If you haven’t already, please sign up with DKMS. Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. In Germany, it’s every 12 minutes. For many, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of survival. It only takes a few minutes, and you might literally save someone’s life.
2025 | Meet Julie
I amazingly got Julie on board to start this with me. Now she's the creative and strategic voice behind yes and English. With over 15 years of experience in communication, she takes care of concept, brand development, UX design and learning experiences. And as I still struggle a bit with my B1 German, she's also your go-to German contact for scheduling, questions, and making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.
1979 — Hi, World
I’m Christopher Esposito, co-founder of yes and english — a Californian surfer turned Business English trainer. For the past 10 years, I’ve been teaching Business English here in Hamburg, working with companies like Lufthansa Technik, Airbus, Philips, Vattenfall and many more. Before that, I spent three years teaching in Bali and over 20 years working and traveling the world — collecting stories, languages, and a deep love of human connection along the way.
1995 — Howdy, SoCal
My first job was as a Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard, where my 5 a.m. water polo training and dedication to our nationally ranked team helped me channel my inner David Hasselhoff and rescue over 100 people across seven summers. That experience taught me confidence, adaptability, and presence in the moment — the same skills I bring into every training session today.
1997 — And... Action!
I studied film at UC Santa Barbara, got hooked on documentaries and German cinema, and stumbled into improv for the first time. I worked as a production assistant on student films, medium-famous music videos, and shined as an extra on brilliant TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (still my career highlight). I interned in the news department at the local ABC-TV station, worked at KCSB Radio, and bumped into Charlize Theron on the set of the Disney's Mighty Joe Young. Not a bad start to work life.
2004 — Griaß Di, Zugspitze
After graduating, I set out to explore the world — starting with conquering Europe. With a home base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I led snowboarding tours for US soldiers and German special forces vacationing in the Alps. I traveled with fellow ski bums to over 30 countries across the continent. During breaks from my side gig as the greatest Sandwich Artist at the base Subway (another story), I tutored international dignitaries at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. I was hooked - both on traveling the world and helping and leading others along the way.
2006 — Aloha, Hawaii
A two year detour into hospitality led me down the Road to Hana, Hawaii. I joined the 5-star restaurant team at the Hotel Hana-Maui — a Top 100 Boutique Hotel of the World — working as a waiter, bartender, and tour guide. I served Lady Gaga, Sean Penn, and even had another run-in with Charlize Theron (fate?). All the while, learning the art of service, teamwork and international communication.
2011 — Ni Hao + Namaste
Fresh off my TESOL Certificate, my brother Will and I backpacked Asia for a year and a half. China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Indonesia blew our Americanized pea-size minds — wait, we’re not the center of the universe? Ten months in India and China especially gave me a new perspective on life beyond the West, and a deeper appreciation for how curiosity, openness, and shared experiences bring people together.
2012 — Pagi Pagi, Bali
Bali became home. For three years, I taught English at JB School, working with international students and running projects for the English department. A time of teaching growth, cultural exchange, and creative leadership. The real highlight, though? Meeting a gorgeous, genius German on the beach in Lombok — who somehow managed to smuggle me back into Europe.
2015 — Moin, Hamburg
Teaching all over Hamburg for the past decade — from City Nord to Harburg, from Philips and Lufthansa Technik to Airbus and TUI Cruises. I’ve worked one-on-one with executives and led full team workshops, always adapting to real business needs. And I began to realize more and more: stiff, textbook English just isn’t cutting it. My students — brave, clever, and often funnier than they realize — crave connection and want to share experiences. With room for improv and storytelling, they open up, take risks, and connect in new ways. They know past tense; now they need future confidence. That’s how the idea for yes and english was born.
2020 — So long, Suckers
The world was drowning in Zoom calls, and I found myself in my own kind of lockdown: two rounds of leukemia, two stem cell transplants, and about six months in hospital isolation. Not exactly the gap year I had planned. But somewhere between chemo and bad hospital food, I learned how to strip life down to the essentials, laugh at the rest, stay grateful and curious — and see that nothing beats real, meaningful, in-person connection. That’s when yes and english really began to take shape — a no-nonsense, all-human antidote to a world gone flat-screen.
(on a personal note)
I’m forever grateful to the team at UKE and to DKMS for finding me my lifesaving donor. If you haven’t already, please sign up with DKMS. Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. In Germany, it’s every 12 minutes. For most, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of survival. It takes just a few minutes to order the kit, swab your cheek, mail it back — and you’re ready to literally save someone’s life.
2025 — Meet Julie
My favorite wife and co-founder, Julie, was wild enough to say yes and is now starring as CEO (Chris Esposito Operator) as well as the creative and strategic voice cheering from behind the curtains. With a diploma in Chinese and Business Administration and over 15 years in communication, she takes care of concept, brand development, UX design, and learning experiences. And as I still struggle a bit with my B1 German, Julie is also your primary contact for scheduling, questions, and making sure the show must go on!
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