Open to opportunities

Sune Smit

@sunesmit

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Afrikaans linguistics and AI training specialist building RLHF-aligned datasets and rubrics.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for AI training and RLHF opportunities where I can apply linguistic QA, benchmark/test set building, and rubric-based evaluation to improve model alignment through consistent data, clear error taxonomy, and stakeholder collaboration.

I’m an Afrikaans linguistics specialist transitioning from 10+ years in language education into AI training and RLHF work. My background includes benchmark and test set development, error taxonomy design, and inter-rater quality assurance—experience directly analogous to model evaluation and human feedback pipelines.

In my recent role as Subject Head of Afrikaans HL/FAL, I led linguistic QA and data validation across departmental assessments, evaluated language performance using proficiency rubrics, and coordinated alignment with stakeholders on quality thresholds. I bring strong strengths in multilingual localization, linguistic annotation, prompt/instruction design, and response ranking with preference scoring, reinforced through transcription, segmentation, and localization portfolio projects.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Afrikaans HL and FAL Subject Head

President High School

Jan 2021 - Jan 2025 (4 years)

Designed benchmark assessments and test sets for Afrikaans HL/FAL and established evaluation criteria for learner language output. Led linguistic QA and data validation pipelines, built error taxonomy frameworks, and evaluated performance against proficiency rubrics while coordinating alignment with senior leadership and examination bodies.

Benchmark and Test Set Development Linguistic QA Data Validation Error Taxonomy Language Evaluation

Online TEFL Teacher

Magic Ears

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Evaluated learner language output across proficiency bands (A1–C2) using standardized rubrics for accuracy, fluency, and discourse appropriateness. Diagnosed systematic error patterns and provided immediate corrective feedback while managing remote, distributed evaluation workflows via video/audio/chat.

Accuracy Fluency TEFL instruction

Head of EP Dept & Nursery Coord

Phoenix Wittaya International

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Led curriculum design, delivery, and quality control for the English Programme (EP) Department for Nursery and served on the school’s management team as EP Coordinator. Designed and standardized nursery-level EP curriculum, trained teaching staff on EP delivery, and led parent demonstration sessions.

Curriculum Design Quality Control English Programme Coordination

TEFL Teacher

Shane English

Jan 2017 - Jan 2019 (2 years)

Introduced English vocabulary and phonics to students aged 2–18, adapting instruction across a wide developmental range. Designed and delivered phonics-based lessons and workbooks with play-based activities, and differentiated methodology by age and proficiency.

TEFL instruction Vocabulary Lesson Planning Sound Letter Association

Afrikaans HL and FAL Teacher

President High School

Jan 2012 - Jan 2016 (4 years)

Taught Afrikaans Home Language and First Additional Language, supporting curriculum delivery and learner assessment. Assessed learner language output against Home Language and FAL proficiency standards.

Afrikaans Instruction Learning Assessment Language Assessment