Steve Bourgeois
Position:
German I, II, III, IV
Contact:
Homework:
Students prepare and study flashcards for the 400 German words learned each year. There is additional written homework for levels II, III, and IV.
Education:
BA in Music, University of Oregon, 1984
BA in German, University of Oregon, 1988
MA in German, University of Oregon, 1991
Background:
I began my teaching career in Eugene, Oregon in 1988. In subsequent years, I have taught German in Texas, Michigan, and Ohio. I have extensive experience conducting student exchanges between American and German schools. In addition, I have been a tennis coach for seven years.
Educational Philosophy:
My focus as a language teacher is on long-term retention of vocabulary and structures. When I am speaking German and my students comprehend, then I am certain that they are acquiring the language. I strive to maximize this situation in my class. It is important that my students are comfortable in class and willing to take risks learning the language. I believe that that the best teaching occurs with humor.
Background:
I have been a professional jazz pianist in the DFW area for the past ten years. I have recorded seven CDs.
Anything Else:
I believe that all students can be successful learning a foreign language. Since German and English are closely related, most English speakers already possess a wealth of German vocabulary. For college-bound students, German can be a very useful language.