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My German Career
Photo: Chelsey Funk

'Language doesn't matter - kids are all the same'

Published: 10 Jan 13 16:05 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/lifestyle/20130110-47237.html

In the first instalment of our new series My German Career, The Local sat down with Potsdam kindergarten teacher Chelsey Funk for a chat about tending Teutonic toddlers.

After moving to Hannover in 2006 to work as an au pair, the 25-year-old Kansas native Funk decided to stay in Germany. With the country rapidly expanding day-care facilities, she recently parlayed her experience with kids into a job at a Kita, or creche.

What brought you to Germany?

I'd been working with kids since I was a teenager and at 19 I thought living with a family abroad would be an easy experience and give me the opportunity for a great time. It was great but also opened my mind to the world of children.


Nearly seven years later and you're still here – what do you do now?

In September I got a job as an English-language kindergarten teacher for three to six-year-olds in the Fröbel Kita at the Babelsberg film park in Potsdam (Which is one of Germany's largest movie production studios - Eds.) I start work at nine and tend to finish around half four but I do have over an hour's commute from where I live in Berlin in a flat I share with friends.


Sounds like a glamorous Kita, do you look after film stars' children?

Not that I know of! It's mostly people from the town of Potsdam and people who work at the studios, which could be a few actors but as far as I know Till Schweiger doesn't have kids in my class or anything.


How did you manage to get the job? Was speaking German a prerequisite?

A teacher friend raved about how good the company was so I applied for a job. I don't have a college degree which has made it difficult to get a job sometimes, but I have years of experience of working with kids - I've done 30 English language camps with the Berlitz language school since 2008.


And what about the German?

My German is okay but it is hard to get my point across sometimes. Speaking some German does make things easier, for instance in previous jobs I've had the teachers didn't speak English so communicating would have been hard without it. Luckily my interview was in English but because the boss only speaks German we had a translator there just in case.


You teach little ones English, that can't be easy. What's an average day at work?

We start with morning circle for about 20 minutes, which is where the kids get together in groups. Then I give 10 minute lessons to different age groups through the day, normally about colours or animals or something. The three-year-olds repeat what I say in a cute German accent and the older ones understand what I'm saying most of the time but don't always talk back. We also have a nap time when we listen to Brothers Grimm stories – sometimes I nod off too!


Is nap time the best part of the job then?

The best part is getting to be with kids and shaping their futures with English. It's important to start learning a language from a young age and their minds are like sponges so they pick it up immediately. It would benefit American kids to start languages earlier, when they're spongier. Also I get to play with toys all day, I never say no when the kids ask me to help with whatever they're making.


What do you find the hardest about your job?

When the kids don't listen and go crazy. Its hard to try to calm them down when they don't speak English. Distraction works though, getting them to sing together seems to work and Jingle Bells worked really well at Christmas time.


Have you noticed any major differences between German and American children yet?

German kids swear a lot more and I've noticed that they just run around in their tights without jeans, in the US this would be a big no no. But generally, no matter what language they speak and where they live, kids seem to be the same.


Do you plan to work with youngsters for the foreseeable future?

Well I have the choice to renew my contract in September and although it's too early to say I really hope it works out and I can carry on. I do need a new visa though, which I'm not looking forward to organizing.

Want your German career featured on The Local? Contact us at: news@thelocal.de

Jessica Ware
jessica.ware@thelocal.com
twitter.com/jesscware

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

21:30 January 10, 2013 by ChrisRea
It's Till Schweiger (the taciturn), not Till Schwieger (the in-law).
23:00 January 10, 2013 by The-ex-pat
Have you noticed any major differences between German and American children yet?...German kids swear a lot more and I've noticed that they just run around in their tights without jeans, in the US this would be a big no no. But generally, no matter what language they speak and where they live, kids seem to be the same.

Err, why is a toddler running around in tights a social faux pas in America...?
09:18 January 11, 2013 by ND1000
@The-ex-pat

Errrrrrrrr, its not a social faux pas in America. Quit looking for hair to pull. It may have been at one place where she worked but she oviously hasnt worked at all of the thousands of kindergartens in the USA. She's 25 and from Kansas so obviously she doesnt have a firm grasp on all that is America and its over 300 million people from all over the planet, neither do you or anyone else for that matter. One thing to keep in mind here, there's no such thing as typical America or American. Hope you learned something today.
18:59 January 11, 2013 by raandy
Whats this persons definition of swearing, German kids have no problem with sh^t or as^ho^le but rarely do they use the vulgar MF ,FU CS, ect I hear those words more in English around the German ,American schools I frequent.

Somebody should tell her she's not in Kanas anymore
08:55 January 13, 2013 by jodessa
"Somebody should tell her she's not in Kanas anymore"

You made me laugh "randy". Thanks.
19:04 January 14, 2013 by MattyB
So ummm....what's with all the negativity?

A toddler running around in tights (I think she meant underwear) might be considered "cute" or "funny" in America, but it generally isn't something people allow their 5 or 6 year old children to do (at least in a public setting like school). And I can tell you they certainly would not be doing this at an American kindergarten, or even a pre-school for that matter. Just part of a generally more reserved American culture. Again, it's not a big deal; just not considered "normal."

As for swearing, Americans generally do not tolerate cursing from their children. It is considered rude/disrespectful behavior, and is also often considered a mark of low intelligence, poor self-control, or both. As a boy I can remember even words like "crap" and "heck" were frowned upon. And no, I didn't grow up in some mini totalitarian state of Christian Talibanism.
22:50 January 14, 2013 by oink
nobody is saying something positive here...

I think she is nice and it requires a lot of patience to deal with kids
00:36 January 15, 2013 by Vargaz
@ND 1000 - that was a totally unnecessary rant about an innocent comment and your American insecurity is showing through. Yes, ex-pat - kids do not run around in their tights because America is a puritanical nation hung up about nudity and anything relating to sex - especially where children are involved. Because if the overly litigious nature of Americans: they will sue for any reason. Their favorite national character reality trait is The Blame Game thus schools are wary of liability so a dress code of some sort is de facto. But your point is spot on - kids are just kids no matter where they are from.
16:48 January 18, 2013 by raandy
MattyB ya I remember those days, my mother would wash my mouth with soap if I cussed,

I did , but I was sure not to around my mother.

however, I taught school there some years ago and things had really changed, just go into the boys bathroom and read the walls, it was an education.
09:54 January 22, 2013 by ND1000
@Vargaz, Im German so I dont have "American insecurity". I did like you proving my point though about people stereotyping which you did nicely.
09:27 February 2, 2013 by Masala
did the children break her fingers?
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