Meet our Teacher Dani!
Many of you already know our teacher Dani. We met her and asked her a few questions about her teaching experiences.
How did you get into teaching German as a foreign language?
Through my teacher training—but to be honest, I knew after my very first lesson that this was exactly what I wanted to do.
I immediately felt that teaching came easily to me and that I was good at it. It was one of the first moments when I really realized: this makes me happy. Since then, this feeling has been confirmed time and time again.
Which level of German as a foreign language do you enjoy teaching the most? Why?
I prefer teaching A1 and A2 modules. So much happens right at the beginning—the learners start from scratch and after a short time are able to hold simple conversations or write short texts. I find it incredibly motivating to witness this rapid progress.
Are there any methods or games that you particularly like to use in class?
I really enjoy working with lots of speaking practice, dialogues, and playful elements. Flashcards, repetition, and active recall are important to me—I want what my students learn to really stick. I also regularly have my students write texts or short essays so that I can give them individual feedback. In addition, I am happy to send Wordwall links for home so that they can continue practicing online. It is important to me that learning is active—not passive.
Can you remember a particularly funny situation in class?
Yes—some students initially thought that „Danke dir“ meant „Danke, dear.“ They were convinced that Berliners are particularly warm-hearted and constantly call each other „dear.“ When we clarified this, they were very surprised. Since then, „Danke, dear“ has become a little inside joke in the course.
Are you currently learning a new language yourself?
Yes, I’m currently learning Italian. It helps a lot to be a beginner again yourself—it gives you an even better understanding of how uncertainty or language barriers feel.
You’ve been teaching our weekend course, which runs for 6 teaching units on a Saturday, for some time now. How do you manage to keep your students interested and motivated even after long periods of time?
I try to create a warm and safe atmosphere. Many learners are afraid to speak—once this fear is gone, everything suddenly becomes easier. I motivate my students consciously and honestly. I really see their progress—and I am proud of them. I also make sure there is variety, lots of active phases, and that learning is fun. When the mood is right, even a long Saturday goes by surprisingly quickly.
You’re also studying – are there any parallels with your work as a German as a foreign language teacher?
I’m studying to become a teacher. I can apply a lot of what I learn in my studies – especially didactics and lesson planning – directly to my German as a foreign language lessons. At the same time, practical experience confirms time and again that I’m on the right track.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We really appreciate it.
