Interview with Sarah Koll

Lesedauer ca. 3 Minuten

Tuesday March 18,  Sportverein: Kantine – with Andrew Milne-Skinner

A: Sarah, Many thanks for agreeing to do this interview.

Sarah: You’re welcome. My  pleasure.

A: What brought you to Inzing in the first place, and how long have you been here?

Sarah: originally I’m from Germany, from near Dortmund. I moved to Innsbruck at the end of 2007. My husband is a Tyrolean, from Haiming, so we first met in Innsbruck and lived there together until 2016. Once upon a time….when my husband and I wanted to plan a family, we wanted to build a house…but it was quite a challenge to find ground. Even so, we were so lucky, and we moved into our new house here in Inzing in the late summer of 2016. I definitely like being here in Inzing: it offers such a high quality of life, with things to do, and I especially like the physical environment, the Nature. I also find Austrian – or rather Tyrolean! – culture friendlier than where I was before.

A: I believe you saw the advert in Inzing Informiert looking for Nachhilfe-teachers of English, Maths and German?

Sarah: Actually, I didn’t see it myself, but a friend of mine did.  At the moment I’m having a professional break, a break from my job, and so I was looking for a useful assignment, something meaningful to do.

A: And you kindly agreed to take a couple of Syrian pupils for English?

Sarah: I had the pleasure to meet four of the five Syrians who are receiving tuition not only in English, but in Maths and German. Now I’m teaching regularly Rawad on a Tuesday afternoon and Mohamad on a Thursday afternoon.

A: Tell us about how it has gone so far!

Sarah: It has gone quite well. The kids are quite different from each other – and that’s a challenge, especially when I had two of them together, for example Mohamad (2^nd class) and his elder sister Sabah (4^th class).  It’s much easier to have them on a one-to-one basis. Then each gets the focus and attention that they need.

A: We saw you teaching Mohamad recently at the Canteen of the Sportverein. Why there?

Sarah: As I said, I was looking for useful assignments, so recently I got involved with the local football club, running the bar at the canteen. When you and Sandra were away for over three weeks, I started using the Clubhouse of the Sportverein. After all, it’s a facility for the whole village community. They even organized a whiteboard for me to work with! This is also a good place for the boys I teach: they’re interested in football and being here is like a ‘home-game’ for them!

A: How easy or difficult has it been so far offering tuition in English for our young Syrian ‘Newcomers’?

Sarah: At the start I tried to focus on what they were currently doing at school, for example helping with homework, but then I realized there was more groundwork to do, especially in grammar and vocabulary. They now each work with a vocabulary book they create. It’s easier if the groundwork is more secure, is more solid. We can then work from that.

S: How could we get other tutors for Maths and German, do you think? That’s where we especially need further help!

Sarah: Difficult, this. I’d recommend placing another advert in Inzing Informiert. Also use social media. For example, a local flea-market group has What’s App. Also advertising signs here at the Sportverein, and around. In addition, I would recommend  placing advertisements and start talking to the community about the need at local events in general. For example, I’ll be taking part in the ‘Village Clean-up’ with my two young children. These are the spots where the village community comes together, so good occasions for spreading information that further support would be appreciated.

A: We’d both like to thank you very much for all the help you’ve offered so far….and especially during the three weeks when we were away.

Sarah: Sure, you’re welcome. I must add, though, that I’ll only be doing the language tuition until  the summer. Then I return to my professional job.

A: Thanks again. In that case, it’s vitally important we do manage to get hold of people who can continue with English, as well as others for Maths and German. Our young Newcomers, young citizens of Inzing, do need that vital support in order to be integrated here.