What`s your experience of teaching a Crossover Course?

Course instructor: „Hand Bookbinding and the Art of Journaling“ (2021)

Adrian Rötzscher was born in San Francisco, CA and began learning bookbinding from a very early age. He has recently been accepted as a Meisterschüler in Book Arts at Burg Giebichenstein. In addition to this pursuit Adrian has worked as an educator and freelance artist.

“I have taken several German courses at different Volkshochschule locations throughout Berlin and have always had good experiences, both with the teachers and my fellow students. I was very happy to see an opportunity like the Crossover Contest because it gave me a chance to engage with the Volkshochschule in a new way. This was a great way for me to combine my interest in education and creativity in a supportive and relaxed setting, while working together with people and sharing knowledge. I also learned a lot during this process and would like to further my teaching experience and build a better curriculum and the Crossover Contest was a great stepping stone back into this world.”

Insegnante: “Pilates für Schwangere” (Pilates in gravidanza) (2021)

Melissa Mastroianni si trasferisce a Berlino dall’Italia dopo aver lavorato per dieci anni come ballerina professionista. Al momento insegna regolarmente lezioni di danza classica, moderna-jazz e pilates.

“Ho studiato tedesco alla Vhs dal livello A1 al B2 per un paio di anni, periodo durante il quale sono venuta a conoscenza del Crossover Contest. Fin da subito sono rimasta colpita dall’idea originale di questo progetto e dalle sue potenzialità. Per questo motivo ho deciso di candidarmi per mettere in campo le mie competenze e condividerle con persone provenienti da diverse parti del modo. Con dedizione ho dato delle lezioni di Pilates per donne in gravidanza, durante le quali ho trovato un ambiente familiare e rilassato. Essendo rimasta molto soddisfatta da quest’esperienza, sarei molto entusiasta di poterne far parte nuovamente in futuro”.

Course instructor: „Drawing Anime-Figures for Beginners“ (2021)

Nicole Squarise Rocha is from Brazil and has been living in Germany since December 2019. She has been drawing all her life and now, passionate about character design, she is aiming to study at Art School.

Why did you take part in the contest?
When I was learning German at the Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte, one day the teacher told us about the Crossover Contest and asked us what we were good at. When I said I liked to draw, she encouraged me to apply for the contest. At first, I did it just for fun. However, after I got a positive response, my motivation to share my knowledge with others and show them how much fun it is to draw increased.

What were your expectations?
To be honest, I had few expectations. I have never taught more than one person, so I was nervous to have more than one student now.

How did you feel before your first lesson?
I was excited and nervous at the same time. I arrived really early at the Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte to make sure that everything works out smoothly.

How did you like teaching and working with the participants?
It was an amazing experience. Everyone was really nice, both the participants and the team of the Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte that helped me.

What is your conclusion after the end of your Crossover Course?
I am still young and just trying to figure out what I want to study soon. Now that I know what it is like to teach more than one person, I have found out that I really enjoy teaching and would like to continue doing it. So, the Contest was a great opportunity to find out what I would like to do in the future.

Coordinadora del curso: „Taller de escritura de viajes“ (2020)

Nacida en Madrid, Diana Plaza Ortiz es escritora, arquitecta, y apasionada de la fotografía y los viajes. Cuenta historias, y se sirve de la palabra y la imagen para conseguirlo. Ha publicado en la revista Madera y en diferentes fanzines. Actualmente publica sus escritos en fracturatransversal.com. Diana estudió alemán en la VHS de julio a diciembre de 2019.

„Participar en el programa de cursos Crossover de la VHS me pareció inicialmente una buena oportunidad, tanto para mi desarrollo profesional como para mi experiencia personal en Berlín. Se cumplieron totalmente mis expectativas. La comunicación con la VHS fue fluida, me gustó trabajar con los participantes y fue muy satisfactorio contribuir a su motivación y seguir el desarrollo de sus textos durante el curso. ¡Lo repetiría sin dudarlo!“

Course instructor: „Attractive presentations with PowerPoint Online“ & „Photoshop it – on your smartphone“ (2020)

Mousa Mousa has a bachelor’s degree in information technology and has worked as a web designer. He is interested in graphic design and tries to simplify the tech life using practical techniques and tools. Mousa has been learning German at Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte since 2019.

„I like teaching, and had worked as a teacher in Syria for 4 years, so I wanted to take the opportunity to teach here in Germany.
I like to help people as well, and guide them to discover all the interesting technical options which they have available, on the devices they are using daily.

All the technical equipment I needed for the Crossover Course was provided by the VHS. It was interesting working under different restrictions, but these were all explained to me: for example I could use only free software, which meant that I had to change some of my lesson plans. But this encouraged me to search for free alternative tools, and find other solutions.

It was not my first time standing up in front of people and talking, but I hadn’t done this for a long time and now I was doing it in English, not my mother tongue! But the course participants were so kind and friendly and that broke the ice and any potential language barriers soon disappeared.“

Course instructor: „Marketing in China“ & „Business in China“ (2019)

Angela Hsu is a brand & business consultant. She studied in Mass Communications and was awarded her MBA in the UK. In the past 10 years, she has worked as a consultant for many European/international companies. Angela has been learning German at Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte since 2017.

„The participants in my Crossover Course were not only locals, but also from different countries and at different stages in their careers. Some were marketing students and some working professionally in marketing. In the lessons, we covered marketing theories and case studies. However, the part I enjoyed the most was the group discussion, in which the participants and I freely and passionately exchanged our points of views. I always felt very encouraged after class!

I really appreciate VHS Mitte giving me this chance through the Crossover Contest. And I hope there will be more people willing to take part in this project, no matter whether they are teachers or students.“

Course instructor: „Bordado para Iniciantes“ & „Excel for Beginners“ (2019)

Camila Duque has a Bachelor`s degree in Economic Sciences and takes with great enthusiasm creative projects. She lives in Germany since 2016 and loves how multicultural and artistic Berlin is. Camila has been learning German at Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte since 2018.

„I saw the Crossover Contest application form at the Volkshochschule where I did my Orientierungskurs and I immediately thought that was a golden opportunity I had to take. Being new to Berlin and not yet fully integrated, I saw the Crossover Contest as the perfect chance to share a bit of my knowledge and experience with others in this city. The most attractive part of it for me, was the opportunity of teaching in my mother tongue (Portuguese) and also in English.

I taught Embroidery for beginners in Portuguese and after, also in English, and that was a delightful experience. All the participants were really interested in the theme and brought an amazing energy to the classroom. I also taught Excel for beginners in English and that gave me a perspective on how much we can make a positive impact on someone’s life, by simply sharing our knowledge with them.

I am extremely grateful for the Crossover Course opportunity. It helped my integration to Berlin and also made me feel part of something special, since the VHS was always so supportive of my ideas and projects there. If you think you have a talent that is worth sharing, or you can teach something useful or fun to others, go for it. It’s the perfect opportunity!“

Course instructor: „Playing with the marionette“ (2019)

Rania Refaat Shahin, writer, actress, director and lawyer, founded El-Pergola Puppet Theatre in Egypt 2011 and in Berlin in 2017, using the performances for raising social, political and legal awareness. She has been learning German at Volkshochschule Berlin Mitte since 2018.

„I had studied German at the VHS, and my teacher encouraged me to do some workshops in the school. I had expected exactly what I found … from the friendly treatment from those working at the school to good management and organization! This made the Crossover Course go very easy and it was fun for me and the participants.

I hope the Crossover Courses continue, because they provide opportunities for many to share experiences. Thanks a lot to the whole team!“