Steven Wynne

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

As a German and world language educator, I believe it is foremost my duty to instill a

passion for my language a language that is also a window to another culture and way of thinking

through which my students will be able to look. Through the lessons I create, the authentic texts I

use, and personal experiences I share, I strive to make this pane clear enough to view another

culture, but reflective enough for students to examine their own. As I set up this pane every day as

a looking glass for my students to see another culture, as well as their own, I intend to spur not

only conversation, but also emotion: laughter, confusion, joy, frustration, happiness, awe,

excitement, among other contradicting feelings. Above all, driven by this whirlwind of sentiments,

I wish to create energy in my classroom an energy either started by me or by my students, an

energy that is exchanged through the class and the school year, an energy on which we all thrive

as we delve into the realm of language learning.

As we look at and perceive all things German in my classroom, I wish my students to leave

my class with a reaction. Equating much of the teaching world with the realm of acting and

performing, I believe the best response from a student is any response at all. Joy or confusion,

happiness or frustration, I know my students are engaging with the material it is my duty to work

with those reactions and augment my students understanding. Whether I pantomime vocabulary

terms, make my students into an improv troupe, or give them every opportunity to read and write

silliness, I know my students will react, show emotion, and respond to me and my content as they

experience the all-stage performance that is my class.

Calling upon my years as an actor, improv troupe leader, as well as my years in Germany,

I intend to create an atmosphere that is not only interactive and entertaining, but also one that is

undeniably authentic. Living as a university student and English teacher in the northern plains of
Lower Saxony, and as non-profit worker in the heart of Berlin, Pariser Platz, I can convey to my

students the overlapping realms of German household, educational, and workplace culture. With

my experience living, learning, and working in Germany, albeit a narrower view than of a native

speaker, I aim to not only kindle student passions for the country, but also to make my students

speak the language freely and without fear of judgement.

As a recipient of national awards for goodwill, generosity, efforts in diversity and as a

leader of youth violence prevention groups, I also wish to instill the same goodwill, generosity,

and empathy in my own students. While also creating energy and passion for my subject for my

students, I also wish to direct my students to be mindful of those less fortunate, of those who live

under different circumstances, and those who were not afforded the same opportunities as us.

Either through promoting volunteer projects, supporting and sponsoring extracurricular drives of

goodwill, or using my vehicle of foreign language, I enlighten my students to a culture that either

reflects the same socioeconomic status we face or demonstrate the conditions we should strive to

improve.

Motivation in language learning, as with any other subject, is key in garnering student

interest. Implementing technology, such as Skype, to hold online video calls with German

classrooms, or using the postal service to conduct pen-pal projects with enthusiastic students from

Germany are engagements I have undertaken previously to not only spark the interest of my

students, but to create tangible connections to German culture many of my students did not

previously have. Not only can technology be a tool in student motivation, but also simple social

routines: learning students interests outside of the classroom, having daily conversations with my

students, and humanizing myself, to some degree, in front of my students creates a safe, calm

atmosphere in which student can feel free to contribute to conversations and lessons in German.