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To my students: I was just like you...
I wasn't always the sophisticated German speaker you see in the halls at school or the shopping mall. When my boyfriend asked me to marry him and move to Hamburg, Germany, I was excited and a little worried. I am from a small town in Newfoundland and the biggest place I ever lived was Toronto. I couldn't speak German but I was confident that I would find a school and learn. I wanted to immerse myself, integrate within the culture and become a speaker of German. What did I have to lose? -
So I learned German, sort of...
Being a "Newfie", I was teased in the past about being able to speak English properly. I wanted to learn German because Hamburg was my home now and I wanted to take part in every cultural experience and to just talk to people. German is a difficult language and my classmates only wanted to speak in English with me. After two months of intensive German instruction, I did receive my certificate but I felt I never really learner the language until I went out into the city to meet people. -
Smiling and nodding worked, sometimes...
I spoke some German but I was shy and unsure of myself. One day, I went to a department store to buy a half slip (to wear under my dress so it was not see-through) but I didn't know the word in German. I found a friendly sales lady and started to explain what I wanted, using words that I did know. After my German explanation, she looked at me and said "Unterrock" which literally translates to "under skirt". She was patient and let me explain what I wanted. We then laughed and I felt so proud. -
So now I am a bilingual teacher of English...
For me, learning a language was hard. I would marvel at how easily people could switch from one language to another and then to another. It takes time and it is worth doing. When I teach English, I try to remember how frustrated and lonely I felt because I could not join in the conversation. But with small steps, lots of support and time, I succeeded. I respect your mother tongue and I know what you are going through. Isn't it fun when we discover how similar our languages really are? -
My advice to you
Being an English teacher is the best job I could ever have. I get to meet new families and help students on their academic journey. As a language learner myself, I know that learning a language requires patience, determination, practice (I still do) and support. All teachers want to see their students succeed because when students do, it makes us look so good. Advice? Immerse yourself in the school culture but don't lose your own culture because ti can help you make connections to new learning.