An unforgettable two weeks

I recently took part in the “learn german and teach english program” for two weeks at the Excellence Centre. I was not only looking for an opportunity to practice my German (which I’d studied at University years ago) but that also allowed me to meet lots of people and try something new. My time here has exceeded any expectations I had and beyond.

Upon arrival I took a language placement test which benchmarked my current proficiency around a B1-B2 level. As a result I joined Muaz’s advanced German class. Muaz is a talented teacher, who builds his lessons not only around speaking but also tailored content to everyday/current affairs. I was surprised by how much progress I made in only two weeks; by the end of the program I was holding complex conversations and taught some beginners German at the centre. On reflection I wish I’d booked more lessons as I really enjoyed them.

Teaching was daunting as I had no prior experience, but ended up being very rewarding. I taught a mixture of both English and German- there wasn’t much guidance in terms of lesson structure but I became more confident with practice.

The aspect that I enjoyed most however was the people; fellow volunteers, teachers and students. Rafat has created a unique welcoming environment at the Excellence Centre. He cooks breakfast for everyone everyday and I spent a lot of time exploring Halle and Leipzig with the other volunteers. The relationships I built with my students were so special as well, with one of the families cooking me their favourite dish as a goodbye present.

Overall I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in language learning, give back to the community or
just wants to meet new people. Thanks again to Rafat, Muaz and Ali for such a wonderful experience.