I am passionate about the conversations that language and literature can create

“I began my bachelor’s degree in English with the intention of becoming a secondary school teacher. During my own time at upper secondary school, I became truly engaged in English and literature, and I liked the idea of combining my subject with working with people. Later, I chose Danish as my minor subject and continued with a master’s degree in Danish and English.

I also think I was drawn to this career path because it involves an academic and theoretically oriented education. You immerse yourself in your subjects at university, and afterwards you build on the pedagogical aspect through teacher training. I am currently undertaking this training, attending courses and receiving feedback on my teaching from experienced supervisors.

Much of what I found engaging during my studies is also what I teach today. In English, we work with literature, language, communication and analysis, exploring how texts reflect society, culture and the ways people understand the world. I find it fascinating how language and literature can build bridges between people and open up conversations about identity, culture and different perspectives.

I plan teaching modules, select texts and themes and carry out the lessons together with the students. As a teacher of English and Danish, feedback and correction work also take up a significant part of my day-to-day work.

At present, I teach a class of second-year students who are writing a larger interdisciplinary assignment with an oral defence. We hold preparatory workshops and help the students structure their work. At the same time, my third-year students may have an oral exam, so I am also preparing exam questions and selecting texts for the exam.

I especially appreciate that there is a great deal of freedom in teaching. In English, for example, I have just completed a course on crime fiction. This freedom allows you as a teacher to really dive into areas that interest you – and hopefully inspire the students.

My relationship with the students is also very important to me. I find students at upper secondary level to be a particularly interesting group, because they are on the verge of adulthood, and lessons often develop into meaningful discussions about society, culture and different perspectives. These are also discussions that make me reflect on things in new ways.

I am constantly discovering new approaches to develop in my teaching and to try out in practice. I truly feel that I have the best job in the world.”