Why German?

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela

Why learn German? Even more so when so many Germans speak English? Simply put, languages are far more than communication - they are connection. Speaking to someone in their own language shows interest, respect, and willingness to understand their culture on their terms. 

This brings me to the heart of why I love languages - they open the door to another culture, way of thinking, and a much deeper understanding of different people and places. Speaking the language allows you to experience German-speaking countries beyond what you would otherwise - from everyday conversations and humour to literature, music, history, and traditions. 

German is also an incredibly useful language academically and professionally. Germany is one of Europe’s largest economies, and German is spoken in countries from across Europe. Whether students come to use German for travel, university, work, or simply for personal enjoyment, it can open the door to a world of opportunities! 

Most importantly, in a world where languages can be overlooked, I want my students to discover that learning German can be enjoyable. Learning a new language is inevitably challenging - it requires a high cognitive load, physical retraining of your mouth, and lots of practice! As such, my lessons are a ‘safe space’ - you will never be judged for asking questions or getting things wrong. These things are actually encouraged! 

Seeing a student go from feeling nervous about speaking to confidently holding conversations is incredibly rewarding. My aim is not just to help students achieve good grades, but to foster a genuine curiosity about the German language and the wider German-speaking world.