Wekas Gaba
I emigrated to Germany as a child in 1985, graduated from high school in Hamburg in 1999 and moved to Berlin the same year. My literature studies were then neglected to discover the big wide world in Berlin. As a party organizer, restaurateur, event manager, marketing expert for intercultural projects, graphic designer, DJ and finally film producer, the world in Berlin became my “Heimat”. After re-enrolling at the university in 2017, my interest in languages turned into a professional job that I am passionate about.
Since then, I have combined all my intercultural, creative, and linguistic skills, my training as a diversity trainer, and my media skills to teach language as part of one’s identity and not as a means to an end. Since 2018, teaching German as a foreign language in schools, start-ups, medium-sized companies and individual clients has become my favorite job. What I love, however, is combining the subject area of culinary arts with language acquisition. Various food events, such as cooking classes, tastings, Asian supermarket product placement in the context of language training is something everyone can look forward to, wouldn’t you say?
Dörthe Worthmann
I taught English and German in Brazil for 6 years and discovered my passion for teaching there. Since the beginning of 2019 I have been in Berlin, where I have been teaching German at various language schools or privately, both on site and online. I use different techniques, media and teaching methods, always according to the needs of the students. Every learner has different ideas and expectations of the lessons and the way they learn can also differ greatly. I therefore always try to adapt to my students and offer them the best possible lessons. Since I’ve been in Berlin, I’ve had students from all over the world. The Exchange of ideas with students from all over the world is very enriching for me. As a trained ethnologist and “intercultural” communication trainer, I am able to support my students understand Germany and the Germans better. I speak English, Portuguese, Spanish and a little French.
Wekas’ thoughts about language
Every person is unique. What makes each person so special? Let’s assume that it must be language. But could a person’s fashion style also be a language?
Yes, I think so. Somehow everything symbolic is a language and every language is understood if there is a common code for it. As individuals, we learn these social rules mostly unconsciously when we are born into a society. As we grow up, we develop a teenage language and gradually learn other languages, such as job-specific jargon or another foreign tongue. By now, you’re probably an adult, right ? ?
I first make you aware of how you basically use language, and then I teach you a soft skill tool that helps you understand the logic behind grammatical rules. This way, you’ll systematically learn to speak and understand German in such a way that it becomes a part of your identity and no longer has to feel like a strange concept. Somehow, though, grammar feels like mountain climbing.
I have to admit that I recommend climbing the mountain first. Descending then brings many benefits to those who need to use their limited time efficiently. But not everyone has the time or energy for this route. So if you prefer to look around and walk around first, gaining experience to want to climb the mountain with a little more experience, I will be happy to help you find a group course that suits you. Of course, you can come to me anytime and afterwards to get your unanswered questions answered. But if you still don’t know what the right path for you is, then why not book a free 15-minute consultation with me online. We will then find a solution together. A little tip: No matter where and how you seriously want to learn German, at some point you have to climb the mountain. It then ultimately comes down to the ease of your equipment.