How Wiktoria Allan fosters safety, trust, and participation at HWR Berlin
Teaching English goes far beyond vocabulary drills and grammar; it’s about creating a space where students feel safe enough to speak up, take risks, and grow.
At the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR Berlin), Wiktoria Allan teaches business English and communication skills, and also serves as Interim Head of the university’s Language Centre.
"I’ve always known I wanted to teach," she shares. "School was a happy place for me growing up, and I wanted to create that for others."
Wiktoria’s teaching journey has taken her from working with adults at private language schools, to teaching at companies like PayPal and eBay, and even training staff in pacemaker production facilities, where she found herself fully suited up on the production floor, learning alongside her students. Since 2017, she has focused on university teaching, bringing her passion for language, inclusion, and practical learning into every classroom.
When students step into the classroom for the first time, many are nervous about speaking a new language in front of their peers. "They’re scared of making mistakes," Wiktoria explains, "especially when they don’t know each other yet."
Language learning requires vulnerability, and fear of "losing face" can hold students back from participating, asking questions, or engaging fully in discussions, especially in a diverse, international classroom where confidence levels vary.
The result? Often, only the most confident voices are heard, while quieter students miss opportunities to practise and connect.
School was a happy place for me growing up, and I wanted to create that for others.
To make space for every voice, Wiktoria turns to Mentimeter on day one of every course. Using Word Clouds, Multiple Choice polls, and Open-Ended questions, she invites students to contribute without the immediate pressure of speaking out loud.
"Mentimeter lets everyone join in, even the shy students. They get to express themselves without the pressure of speaking in front of the group."
In a group course, it’s not always possible to hear from everyone individually, but with Mentimeter, she can capture input from the entire class at once. She often uses it to ask students how they would prioritise learning outcomes for the course or what they hope to gain from the semester.
Ranking slide to collect students’ priorities from the course goals.
One of her favourite activities is asking students, "What languages do you speak?" and watching as the Word Cloud fills with languages from across the globe - German, Turkish, Arabic, Polish, Spanish, and more. This shows how multicultural the class is and reminds students that multilingualism is an asset, not a weakness.
Word Cloud showcasing the different languages students speak.
Mentimeter is not just for icebreakers; it’s also a tool for formative assessment throughout the semester. Wiktoria uses quick quizzes, mid-semester check-ins, and live polls to gauge how much students have grasped and where they need more support.
"Sometimes it’s as simple as asking how confident students feel about a topic, or running a quick multiple-choice quiz to see what’s sticking. It helps me adjust my teaching in real time, so no one gets left behind."
Wiktoria also uses Mentimeter to run creative activities like a Dragons’ Den-style exercise where students pitch ideas to their classmates, who then "invest" virtual money by allocating points via Mentimeter. "It makes them think critically while having fun, and it’s so easy to set up."
Dragon’s Den-style exercise in one of Wiktoria’s classes.
Since bringing Mentimeter into her teaching, Wiktoria has seen her classroom transform into a more relaxed, interactive, and inclusive environment. Students gradually build the confidence to participate aloud, while even the quietest learners find a way to contribute from day one.
"I hear from students all the time that they feel safe in my classes," she shares. "Mentimeter plays a big part in that. It gives them a way in."
The tool also makes her teaching more adaptive and responsive. By seeing where students are struggling or excelling in real time, she can adjust lessons on the spot, re-explain concepts, or create targeted follow-ups that support each learner.
But for Wiktoria, the impact goes beyond lesson plans. By creating a culture of participation and inclusion, she is preparing students for the reality of international workplaces, where clear communication and the courage to speak up are essential skills.
"It’s about creating a community, not just delivering content," she says. "Mentimeter helps make that happen faster."