Private German Teacher

Bahasa Indonesia - Deutsch

My student Aldo (see Alex' Guitar) needed my statement for his enrolment at University of Duisburg Essen, Germany. Then I wrote my job "Privatdeutschlehrerin" (private German teacher) on my letterhead. As long as I understand, it is possible to build a composite in German from more than 2 words. In the German - Indonesian dictionary written by Heuken I just found the composites "Privatlehrerin" (private teacher) and "Deutschlehrerin" (German teacher). The composite for private German teacher was not found.

Sometime later I wanted to know whether the composite "Privatdeutschlehrerin" is usual in Germany. Like always I asked my friends in Germany. I just consider all friends. :-)

The following are the comments:

Ilona in Bodelshausen

Of course I think it top, that you now work as private teacher for German. (Privatlehrerin fuer Deutsch). (The word Privatlehrerin fuer Deutsch is maybe a bit more elegant than "Privatdeutschlehrerin")...

Nicole in Hamburg

Referring to your question: I would write the word "Privatdeutschlehrerin" like this: Privat-Deutschlehrerin, but I think "private Deutschlehrerin" is right. "Privatdeutschlehrerin" sounds uncommonly, therefore I would suggest "private Deutschlehrerin" (private German teacher).

Mr Seemann in Berlin

So, now to give my answer to your question. It is Privatlehrerin fuer Deutsch. ...wish you as Privatlehrerin fuer Deutsch (private teacher for German) a good and successful start and many interested people.

That's so, although it is possible grammatically, but in fact it is not always acknowledged. :-(

I had further discussions with the friends, what about the words "Deutschlehrerin fuer Privatstunde" or "Deutschlehrerin fuer Privatunterricht" are. Following are two answers:

Ilona and Ruprecht in Bodelshausen

Once more to your course: I wish I had suggested "Private Deutschstunden*" (private German class); Ruprecht meant: "Privater Deutschunterricht" (von kompetenter (oder erfahrener) Deutschlehrerin (private German course (of competent (or experienced) German teacher). I think also, that you can freely add "von erfahrener Deutschlehrerin" (of experienced German teacher) - so are you really. "Privatdeutschlehrerin" (private German teacher) and "Deutschlehrerin fuer Privatstunde*" (German teacher for private class) (ambiguous) cannot be used. "Deutschlehrerin fuer Privatunterricht" (German teacher for private course) is still possible, but it sounds not so elegant.

Nicole in Hamburg

Private Deutschlehrerin (private German teacher) is the best terminology. The word privat (as adjective) refers to your job title, which shows that you indeed work privately and not as a government official or an employee. "Deutschlehrerin fuer Privatunterricht" (German teacher for private course) is also possible, but almost wouldn't be used.

Hmm, I see. :-)

(* Stunde in English means hour. Maybe this causes the word Privatstunde can be ambiguous. Privatstunde can mean private hour, which can further mean private meeting.)

I still can remember, how Aldo happily ran up stairs quickly to the 3rd floor (his room is on the 3rd floor). He went for a while to print out my statement, so that I could sign on it. Then he could submit complete documents to University of Duisburg Essen.

That Aldo already studies at the University of Duisburg Essen now, that is the most important thing. :-)


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