Alumni Spotlight: Julie Davis

Julie Davis is a high school and middle school German teacher in the Chesapeake Public School system. She received her M.A. degree from ODU in 2018.

What do you most enjoy about world language instruction in middle school and high school?

I really enjoy witnessing the progress students make over the course of the year in what they can say, write, and comprehend. Many of them begin the year without any prior knowledge of the language and they are able to learn so much in a relatively short amount of time. In addition, I find that middle and high school students are a great age group to work with; I am constantly impressed with their abilities, their energy, and their humorous perspectives.

Are there particular challenges to promoting and encouraging world language study among middle and high school students?

I have found that most students are eager and motivated to take a language course. However, some students are apprehensive because they feel that learning another language will be too difficult and will not prove to be useful. Therefore, I try to help students recognize the many similarities between English and German and the exciting opportunities that await them by learning another language.

When did you learn German?

I was born in Germany to American parents and spent the first few years of my life there. However, it wasn't until I was in college completing my undergraduate degree in Sociology that my interest in the German language really flourished. I began taking German to satisfy my degree's general education language requirements, but after studying abroad several times and continuing to take classes in beyond the minimum requirements, I had enough credits to earn a separate bachelor's degree in German. While it was never my intent to major in German, I am so happy that I did because it opened up career prospects in the corporate sector and in education that I would have otherwise missed out on. Furthermore, as a graduate student in the history department, having the German language background allowed me to broaden my field of interest and conduct research with primary sources written in the German language.

Does the study of history and the past sometimes inform your instruction of German?

Yes, very much so. I feel it would be hard to teach a German class today without incorporating history, as learning about a country's culture and history can be just as important as vocabulary and grammar in a world language class. In fact, one of the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning for world language classes calls for making connections with other disciplines such as social studies. Therefore, throughout the year my students learn about the history of post-World War II Germany including the building of the Berlin Wall, the eventual fall of the wall, and the ultimate reunification of East and West Germany. In addition, we discuss the Holocaust and how it is remembered in Germany today. Another common theme that we discuss periodically throughout the year is the history of German immigration to the U.S. including famous German-Americans and German influences on American culture and language.

Does the internet offer new opportunities for language acquisition?

Absolutely, there are a number of great tools that are just a click away. Schools are increasingly incorporating technology in the learning environment and there are a number of educational games and apps that have become quite popular such as Kahoot, Quizlet, and Duolingo, just to name a few. In addition, because of the internet I can take my classes on "virtual field trips" to Germany and have instant access to German news radio stations, television, and movies.

What are some of your favorite places to visit in Germany?

Everywhere! I am particularly fond of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, which is home to several beautiful places that are special to me and my family - the university town of Tübingen, the Black Forest region, and the relaxing area around the Bodensee (Lake Constance). In addition, the quaint villages, castle ruins, and hills of vineyards along the Rhein River are hard to beat. The city of Berlin is also one of my favorite places because there are so many things to see and do there with an abundance of history to explore.