TEACHER CASE STUDIES

Listen & Learn: Please tell us a little about what you teach, and why?
Lyda: I teach Dutch and English. As a Dutch native speaker, living and working in Canada, I find teaching Dutch is a great way to stay in touch with my language, background and culture.

Listen & Learn: Where did you study, how long have you been teaching, and what age groups do you usually teach?
Lyda: I studied at Leiden University in The Netherlands. I’ve been teaching for more than 20 years, not only Dutch and English, but in a previous career I also taught typing and short hand, as well as First Aid techniques. I have taught all age groups; set up Dutch classes in Oakville, Ontario, for age 4-14, tutored High School students, both in The Netherlands and in Canada, University students in Leiden, and private tutoring of adults.

Listen & Learn: What do you think a student should bring in to the lesson?
Lyda: First of all motivation, of course, but self-discipline is also very important.

Listen & Learn: What do you think is important for the teacher to bring to the lesson?
Lyda: Enthusiasm is an important quality for teachers to have, and a willingness to understand what makes a student tick and then be able to use their interests to make the lessons challenging and informative.

Listen & Learn: What is your favorite teaching story?
Lyda: There are many, but a recent experience is a student who drove from Regina to Saskatoon and vice versa (2.5 hrs one way) to learn Dutch, on an almost weekly basis – this is the dedication every teacher dreams of.

Listen & Learn: Can you describe yourself in 3 words?
Lyda: “crazy about language use” (sorry, that’s 4!)