Native German linguist/teacher with an emphasis on conversational German and 17 years of experience in strategic exam preparation with a 100% success rate. New topic in each lesson! + Book groups

Find out more about Anja

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I am originally from Germany and being a member of a long family of teachers and seeing how their students loved them and found them unique inspired me at a very young age to follow the same path. I still remember when I was a student my focus was not only to succeed in school but also to recognise what teaching methods my teachers or professors use. Later on while I was studying German Linguistics I had some of the best professors around and my passion of becoming the best Teacher someone could have started to form. I was eager to get the attention of my professors in a class of 300 students and to show them that I really want to learn to become like them or even better for my future students. I finished University with the best score and continued from there to advance even more in my subject as a Teacher's Job is to always continue to learn and develop himself in order to keep up with the changes in the world and the needs of the students.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  The emblematic representative of the German culture would be for me a character that has not yet existed. A character that is true to its origin and tradition but also transformed to a beautiful modernised fusion of simplicity and method. An ideal representative of the German culture would be a very complicated maze with symmetry and tight rules, which at first seem scary and overpowering but if one has decided to start to solve it, the rules will start to magically make sense and the journey will seem to much easier and joyful than thought.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  My favourite behaviour in the language is that its grammar is so direct with logical rules that it can solve all the mysteries of syntax (word order), pronunciation and semasiology (meaning). There is an answer for everything!

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  First it opens a door to three powerful European countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Secondly, if you understand German you can learn much easier other languages as well, like English, Greek, all the Scandi Languages,etc. Third and very important to many adults- It repays you. It is no secret that the german speaking positions are often better paid as french speaking positions

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Many would say the grammar and I could agree with that opinion a little bit as it has more rules than the english grammar or scandi grammar for example. But!- it is a very safe and secure path to become fluent in the language and the only thing that can help there is a good researched teacher that can give you all the keys and clues. Learning lists by heart is no successful way.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Everything has an End. Only a 'Wurst' (Sausage) has two! :')

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Travelling through the German-speaking countries and cities and studying the different dialects and Idioms has helped me understand better the depth and richness of the language. German is very alive.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I am an absolute nerd. A passionate researcher and scientist of the German language. I have not only studied to become a teacher. I have studied the science of the language, the philosophies and the literature, the teaching methods and pädagogic philosophies, the history and the beginning, the structure, the common mistakes and the comparative symmetric to other languages. As a teacher, I needed always to know all the answers or even to create answers and theories to unanswered topics that can be proved. I see myself not only as a teacher but as a professional that can give the key to her students, with which they can achieve their dreams. My role is not only to be a teacher but to inspire other people to become the best version of themselves, to get keen and passionate about their subjects, to dream big and form their unique path without fear or 'rainchecks'. Start now, not tomorrow, don't listen to your surroundings -there is nothing you can't do. And last, which would sound so 80's-90's, but... I want to be the 'Mr. Miyagi' of anyone that hasn't found one yet! 😂