Meet Anastasia, German Teacher at German Online Institute since 2012

Introduction:

Anastasia, with a BA in Philology (German and English) and an MA in Cultural Management, has been with GOI since 2013 and specializes in teaching adults, particularly absolute beginners. Her lessons are always vibrant and personalized. Anastasia has a broad range of interests including design, art, classic literature, psychology, and photography. She has taught some GOI students for over 7+ years and always looks forward to returning students.

Interview: Insights into experiences and developments at GOI

Did you always want to be a teacher?

Actually, no! Until I was about 11, I wanted to be a biologist, then suddenly I aimed to be a writer. It wasn’t until just before graduation that I realized the linguistic and cultural diversity fascinated me enormously – that’s why I chose to study philology. Right after my first teaching internship, I knew teaching was right for me.

How would you describe your teaching personality?

I am curious and flexible, with a deep passion for teaching. My classes are vibrant and creative, even if they can be a bit unconventional at times. 🙂

What is your teaching philosophy, and why?

I believe that one-on-one lessons should be a safe place where students feel comfortable and always have the opportunity to discuss their own experiences, passions, and dreams. Discussing topics that students find particularly exciting, important, or relevant gives them much more motivation to articulate their thoughts clearly and precisely in German.

What role does discipline play in your course, and how do you handle it?

Teachers who instruct adults should not only be educators but also motivation coaches. Adult life is hectic, and learning languages can therefore fall low on the priority list. At the beginning of the course, we specify the exact reasons why the students want to master German, and I regularly remind them of this. I also try to select interesting materials so that students will watch the videos or read the texts at home out of curiosity.

What challenges and benefits come with teaching long-term students?

Some students I have known for years and it is an honor for me to accompany people long-term on their learning and life paths. For me, there are no challenges – the conversations are always fun as we know each other well and can talk casually about what has happened. It is also always exciting to find new information and learn something together.

What motivates you in your teaching career?

It thrills me when students report on their personal successes, no matter how big or small. One managed his first phone conversation in German or chatted without fear with his neighbors, another read a long novel or participated in a job interview in German. These success stories are very dear to me and confirm that the teaching profession is very enriching!

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