Heike Emmerling's Teaching Method
Heike Emmerling’s Teaching Method
First of all, I would like to explain why German is so difficult.
All European languages have the same or very similar sentence structures. To illustrate this, I like to use the term "sentence architecture".All European languages have the same or very similar sentence structures. But not German! The architecture of German sentences completely differs from all other languages.
Imagine you are visiting a big city where the houses’ architecture is completely foreign to you. You take a look inside and discover many kinds of strange, intricate spaces, filled with the most diverse details, which leaves you feeling overwhelmed. But if you take the time to get used to this particular kind of architecture, you will discover that there is logic and even beauty within!
My method is built upon this exact idea: In my lessons, the architecture of the German language has the highest priority. Only when you start to understand the structures and get to know them step by step, you will start to speak German correctly. You will only start to speak German correctly once you can identify the underlying structures and learn them step-by-step. Using this learning method is highly rewarding and will make you happy!
Based on the underlying structures of German grammar we will build a “German Network”, which will help you to develop an overview of the complex German language and associate new concepts with those already learned. This will enable you to make amazing progress.
Why association?
My teaching method makes use of the latest neurobiology research. Our brain is a marvel; we just have to use it! The easiest and most effective way for our brains to learn is when we build off of something we already know and when we associate with something we have already learned. Neurobiologists have also proved that learning makes you happy!
Other elements of my method:
- You will constantly train and repeat what you have already learned in connection with new elements of the German language. Repetition strengthens our knowledge and stores it in our long-term memory, until the day comes when we "automatically" speak correctly without thinking. This is the reward for all your effort!
- I correct everything when teaching. This is the only way for your brain to train the "correct" synapses (nerve connections) from the very beginning and to reliably store correct German.
There are many German teachers who never or seldom correct their students. These teachers feel that it is sufficient for the student to be simply understandable in the German language, but that it is not important for them to speak correctly.
This is false and outdated thinking!
In exactly the same way your brains stores "correct" German when consistently corrected, you brain stores “incorrect” German when not corrected. My experience has shown that breaking bad habits and relearning correct forms is a tedious and frustrating process.
- I creatively design my German lessons:
In order to make complicated German grammar more understandable, I use many pictures and visual aids that the brain can recognize and store with lightning speed. This is also fun and motivating!