London, Apr 08: Lynne Brackley looks like an ordinary teacher in an
ordinary language class. But this is no ordinary evening
refresher for language skills.
With the football World Cup starting in a few months
and every football fan in the world preparing for that
event, the Goethe-Institut in London is also getting ready
by offering German classes for English 'footies'.
"Well, the students are interested in football, and
they are beginners, meaning they know very little German,
some of them want to go to Germany for the World Cup, some
want to stay here and watch it, but they all want to learn
a little German and want to know a little bit about
Germany," explains teacher Lynne Brackley the engagement of
the stronghold of German culture.
The Goethe-Institute in the UK is trying to use this
international event to draw some further attention to
German language learning and teaching. Some materials were
designed that reflect this endeavour by using a strong,
recognizable green colour: both the Goethe-Instiut and the
sport on the green use this colour for their image. Posters
and a set of postcards have been developed.
And the focus of the classes is solidly on the football
green, not on the possible animosities between the fans.
"Not necessarily swear words," said Brackley, "but a bit
about the field-positions [of the players] for instance.
like defender or midfielder or striker or such, we also
learned a bit about what the player wear like jersey or
shinpads ... that's what they ask for."
And the students are very grateful for the opportunity
to learn a couple of slang phrases. "I'm learning German in
the main institute, as a paid course, and I just wanted to
pick up some more random pieces of slang that people shout
at football matches," says football fan Tim.
Jeremy, having some precious tickets to the World Cup,
laughs: "At the football matches we've been taught a couple
of phrases, one is "Der Schiri braucht einen Blindenhund'
(the umpire needs a guide dog) .... LAUGHS ... so, a few
phrases like that might come in handy as well, to break the
ice."
"The general tourist German is coming back to me from
the school days but I never knew a lot of the football
terms, so that's been very useful picking up various terms,
the football kit, the 'Schienbeinschoner' [shinpads], the
'Schiedsrichter' [umpire], 'Tor' [goal], words you don't
learn at school," adds Steve.
In an easy and entertaining way, a little knowledge of
German phrases for use during the World Cup is established.
And everyone hopes that knowing a bit of the language and
the country and making an effort will be seen as breaking
with stereotypes.
"I think what we are trying to do is to promote good
relations," says Lynne Brackely "so we don't want to look
at stereotypes either of English hooligans of German,
who are always winning and that kind of thing. It's much
more important to encourage a dialogue, even if our German
is quiet limited."
Steve already knows the best way to get any dialogue
started: He can order a beer in German!
Bureau Report