Zuzanna Winke

German tutor

Biography

Background

I studied at the Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages in Wrocław in the custody of the University of Wrocław (Bachelor’s Degree Studies in German Philology) and at the University of Wrocław, Faculty of Philology (Master’s Degree Studies in German Philology).

During these studies I did not only learn about the German speaking countries but also I gained the advanced grammar and methodological knowledge. My main subject of the bachelor's degree work was the comparison of the traditional culture and habits in Germany and Poland. At the Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages in Wrocław the leading subject was the methodology. Thanks to the experience I gained during these studies I am able to pass my knowledge and passion in much more familiar way which motivates my students to learn German in more convincing way. This way of teaching students allows them to discover how pleasant learning foreign languages could be.

I have started my working experience at the early stage of my studies in several primary schools. After my graduation from the Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages in Wrocław I worked full time as a German teacher in the primary school and in the kindergarten. After my graduation from the University of Wrocław I worked as a German teacher in the vocational school, public junior high school and few years later also in the extramular high school for adults.

Since I relocated to Scotland I work at the University of Edinburgh as a teacher/tutor and language assistant where I also prepare/write the semester exams in German. I teach various groups on different levels. I prepare the students for the exams. I also teach Foundation German Language students where I also prepare them for the exams. I prepared students for German Play "Ab in den Container".

I get nominations in teaching Awards for Teacher of the Year since 2023 at The University of Edinburgh.

I was working for two years at Fettes College in Edinburgh, where I prepared the students for final exams, both: spoken and written

I was teaching in British Study Centre and in Speak out languages School, both in Edinburgh.

I have successfully met requirements of the several schools I did work for. I am successful in teaching groups and individual students preparing for the final exams in the public junior high school, vocational school and extramular high school for adults. I am also an examiner of the A-levels. I was preparing students for the recitation contests, European songs contests, German contests and language competitions. Thanks to my passion in music and singing I am able to do an extra step and work with the commitment which motivates my students to learn and achieve the best results.

I did coordinate the Project “Comenius” where the head quarter was based in Poland. "The

Comenius programme is a European Union educational project. It concerns school-level education, and is part of the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013. It aims "to help young people and educational staff better understand the range of European cultures, languages and values". The result was the book titled “Fairy tales teach us how to live”. This project allowed three countries (Austria, Hungary and Poland) to cooperate and discover the culture, history and tradition of each country. The main language was German and the supportive was English. It was a pleasure to coordinate such an important project which involved over 300 people. I arranged many international

visits along with domestic and foreign trips (Austria, Hungary). During the project I taught the students the basics of Hungarian. I prepared assemblies, speeches, state productions, dramas and a film which were the essence of the project. I like organizing performances and also taking part in them which encourage my students to perform with pleasure and enjoyment. In my opinion this way improves the commitment and gives a good example to the others.

I organized also trips for students and their teachers to the Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages in Opole, during them the students could take part in lectures and learn always something new and interesting about German language and whole Germany.

I do use as a support information technology.

To improve my English language skills I did complete two-year English language course at the language school in Kłobuck. I have used these additional skills with the project and I am

continuously using and improving them with my international contacts. I was working as an

interpreter and group carer for the groups from Scotland, Germany, Hungary and Austria. Together with the mayors from Poland and Hungary I organized many events and trips. I have received the positive feedback from the local authorities of the countries I was cooperating with. These activities create an additional satisfaction for me. They keep me open minded and looking forward for new challenges.

Apart from the full time work I was a choirs member. I was very active, was taking part in many concerts and had also solo performances at the stage. I organized trips to Germany, Scotland, Hungary and Poland where the part of my responsibilities was interpreting.

I can describe myself as a pro- active person being able to share my knowledge and experience, willing to learn, explore and meet new people. I am open minded for new ideas. I do enjoy to be a team member, I do care for a good atmosphere, can listen to people and devote my time to them. I am diligent and responsible. I am also tolerant and have to admit I never had unpleasant situations during my work.

I meet with opinions I am demanding and just, peaceable, friendly, smiling, helpful, sensitive,

emphatic and trustworthy. These opinions have influence me and my work, which I do with

pleasure and involvement.

Qualifications

M.A. in German Studies (University of Wrocław)

Bachelor in German Studies (Teacher Training College of Foreign Languages in Wrocław in the custody of University of Wrocław)

Undergraduate teaching

German 1A Oral Language Practical, Grammar

German 1B Oral Language Practical, Text Production, Grammar

German 2 Oral Language Practical, Grammar

Foundation German Language 1

Foundation German Language 2

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