As a teacher I’ve always enjoyed creating language tasks that introduce students to new cultural products and ideas. For example, in one of my favorite lessons, students compare movie ratings in the US and in Germany, and we discuss what that says about cultural attitudes towards media. I also love introducing students to new (OK—now that I’m older, old!) music and talking about the artists. But my favorite part of my job as the director of the program is to see all of the creative things our instructors come up with. It’s a constant reminder that there are so many interesting topics and a million ways to approach the language and culture, and it’s really gratifying to see instructors and students be creative in the framework that I’ve helped to create.
Meet our instructors!
I enjoy teaching German because I have so many positive memories and feelings about each time I have been in Germany (and interacting with my host family), and I want to help my students learn how to be just as enthusiastic about something that opens up their view of the world and how they fit in it. I would say that I’m proud of being able to talk to my students about differences in the various regions in Germany, as well as trying to make sure that students are able to communicate about what is specifically important to each one of them. I also strive to use as much gender-neutral language as possible in the classroom.
I teach German because I have always been fascinated by the language and love speaking it and introducing others to it. I am a total geek when it comes to German.
My favorite thing is seeing students start to play with the language and make it their own. That’s why I emphasize speaking a lot with things like real-life scenarios, role playing, and silly games. But my classroom is also a completely judgement-free zone, because I know you have to make mistakes to learn. It’s amazing how much German students learn in just one semester in GER 604!
German is a language that won a very special place in my heart, and I love sharing my enthusiasm for the language and the cultural products created in it with my students. I like breaking with old stereotypes my students may have of the language (no, it does not have to sound harsh!); my goal is to have my students engage with the language in their free time and get to know the world that opens in front of them because they now know and like German.
In the course of learning German (and I’m still learning!) I’ve made amazing friends, traveled extensively, and have gained access to career opportunities that would otherwise not have been available to me. By teaching German, I hope to spread the joy that the language and culture has brought me with my students.
