Hi there, I’m Tatjana
I started Auf Deutsch in 2007 to offer a friendly, professional and customized language tuition service that can be accessed online from any location.
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Passionate about working with people
I am delighted to say that to date I have taught more than 12 000 lessons live-online to students from many different countries. Supporting my online students with their German studies has given me a deeper understanding of different learner motivations and learning styles - and confirmed to me the high demand for flexible learning programmes that fit in with modern busy lifestyles.
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My teaching approach is communicative, caring and learner-centered. It is my belief that positive learning experiences can make a big difference to someone's life and I feel passionate about accompanying my students on their personal learning journeys.
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Bio
My Background
Working with people & language
Working with people is something I have always enjoyed. I was born and raised in Austria and hold a Master’s degree in German Philology (Deutsche Philologie) and History & Social Studies (Geschichte und Sozialkunde) from the University of Klagenfurt. In addition to my teaching qualification, I gained a Diploma in Counselling with the Austrian Caritas Association.
Prior to Auf Deutsch, I spent more than 16 years working as a teacher and trainer in Austria and in the UK. Since I moved to England in 1999, I have gained extensive experience of teaching German as a Foreign Language – as a lecturer at the University of Westminster in London and as a trainer for Business German. Amongst other language service providers, I have been working for Babel Language and Cultural Training, one of the UK’s leading providers of corporate language training.
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Auf Deutsch German Tuition
Oct 2007 - to date
In 2006, when our son Samuel was two years old, my partner Stuart and I decided to move from London to a small village in West Sussex. While Stuart still commuted into London for work, I took the opportunity to study from home and became a certified Live Online Teacher. With my newly acquired set of skills and my partner's help, I started Auf Deutsch.
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I am fortunate that I have been able to work full time as a private language tutor for many years now and, thanks to my online offer, also throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. My main work focus has been on developing and teaching tailor-made live-online courses to individuals and small groups. Pre-Covid, I used to also teach a small number of face-to-face classes locally. In addition, I organized get-togethers for my local online students such as a trip to the Goethe Institute in London in March 2018.
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Over the next 6-8 months, I am planning to re-start some of these activities and to introduce a new and exciting live-online project which will be a fusion between a reading group and a conversation class. It is based on the idea of going on a journey together by sharing our reading experiences and thoughts. Many of my students very much enjoy reading literature in German. Being able to understand a short story or even a whole novel in a foreign language can be hugely satisfying and sometimes allowing for a deeper connection not only with the foreign world but also with oneself.
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In my own leisure time, I also love reading literature, whenever time allows. Because I like cooking, I have an ever growing collection of cookbooks too. I am fascinated by the connection between food, culture, family and generations.
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For quite a number of years now, on and off, I have been learning Italian. Being a student myself has kept me in touch with the ups and downs of the exciting road that is foreign language learning: a both humbling and highly empowering journey to take.
Languages
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English
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French
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German