TEACHER CASE STUDIES

Listen & Learn: Hello, Jasmin! Thank you for taking the time to talk about your experience with us today. Can you begin by telling us which languages you teach and why you chose a career in teaching?
Jasmin: Since I grew up in a bilingual household—my mother was German, and my father American—I have always had an affinity for languages. My father started working as a language teacher at Inlingua Language School after he retired, so I knew that teaching foreign languages could be a lot of fun, and different from teaching other subjects because you want the student to communicate.

Listen & Learn: So, teaching languages runs in your family. That is certainly helpful! And what about your teaching qualifications and history?
Jasmin: I started teaching English when I was living in Germany. Later, when I moved to the US, I tutored several people in German and even French. My undergraduate degree is in Theater Studies, but I never really pursued a career in theater. Instead, I got into teaching languages full time once I returned to my home country, Germany. From 2005 on, I worked full time as a freelance language instructor, teaching anything from individuals and small groups to full classrooms at various technical universities, scientific institutes, language schools, and other businesses.

Listen & Learn: So, you have experience working with all types of institutions. What attracted you to teach with Listen and Learn? What is your favorite thing about working with Listen and Learn?
Jasmin: My favorite thing about working for Listen & Learn is the flexibility in terms of lesson times and being able to teach online to students from different parts of the world. I have met some very nice people through Listen & Learn.

Listen & Learn: Definitely, the experience of teaching online is unique and it can put you in contact with students from varied multicultural backgrounds. What do you look for in a student?
Jasmin: I always hope that my students want to learn the language, and don’t just feel they are doing it because they have to. I also urge students to keep proper notes and be organized.

Listen & Learn: Those are great tips! And motivation is definitely a key factor when learning a new language. In your case, what should your students expect from you as their teacher?
Jasmin: Students should expect me to do little talking and let them communicate as much as possible. They can also expect me to listen to their needs and adapt my lesson plan and the pace of teaching accordingly. One of my areas of expertise is also explaining grammar in-depth, when necessary.

Listen & Learn: You certainly have much experience. 12 years is a lot of time! During the time you have been working with us, which has been your most memorable teaching experience?
Jasmin: One assignment required me to travel to the north of England on several occasions. The family I taught was very nice and hospitable, and they even let me stay in their little separate studio. The area was also lovely, so I was able to combine a teaching assignment with a little vacation.

Listen & Learn: That is very nice! And if it were the other way around, why do you think students enroll in a language course with Listen & Learn?
Jasmin: Students should enroll with Listen & Learn because they have the best teachers! Also, the company is very flexible regarding when and where you can take your class. They offer a lot of free resources too.

Listen & Learn: Thank you for your words, Jasmin! And finally, could you tell us a fun fact about the language you teach or a favorite expression you ask your students to learn?
Jasmin: I teach mainly German for Listen & Learn. There are many idioms I teach my students over time because we have so many figures of speech in my language! I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite expression, but recently the term “to be blue” came up during our Skype lesson, and I told my student that it means “to be drunk” in German, which is very different from its English use, particularly in the US. We both thought that was kinda funny.