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Giving Life to a Dead Language

Giving Life to a Dead Language

By Kennedy Bryant

Located on the cusp of Loudoun and Fauquier counties, Middleburg Academy is filled with people, ideas, cultures and backgrounds. As part of its commitment to its students, Middleburg Academy hires the best educators from all over the world. Among the excellent faculty is a new and exuberant teacher, originally from the Netherlands, Dr. Jan-Piet Knijff.

Dr. Jan Piet Knijff. Photo courtesy of Middleburg Academy
Dr. Jan Piet Knijff. Photo courtesy of Middleburg Academy

At first glance, it is Knijff’s height that draws attention. Standing at 6’5”, he is reminiscent of Jack Skellington (the Pumpkin King and main protagonist in “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) in the best possible way. His larger-than-life personality draws students toward a language that is often considered dead, but as Knijff is quick to point out, it “is still very much alive in [his] classroom.”

First-year Latin student Ashleigh Moffett agreed: “He brings the language to life by speaking it with us and helping us understand it.”

Knijff’s approach to teaching Latin as a living language — rather than translating it word for word into English — is both innovative and a key component of student success. He teaches students not only about the Latin language but also about the culture and how Latin influences other aspects of life, such as music.

Knijff uses traditional methods as well as new techniques to teach his students. The textbook he uses is the very same textbook he used to teach himself Latin for the second time. Knijff studied Latin in the Netherlands for six years, sometimes five or six class periods a week.

Like many Latin students, he was “able to translate word for word complicated texts,” but he admitted, “I had absolutely no idea how I did it.” Much later, when he started teaching Latin as a hobby of sorts, he learned that “you can teach it just like any other foreign language — by speaking and writing it.” As a result, Knijff strives to provide his students with the most dynamic, well-rounded Latin education possible.

In addition to the textbook, he also has his students do Latin crosswords and read funny short stories, which he often writes. Knijff frequently reads Latin texts for fun, which helps give him ideas for class activities and discussions. When asked how long it takes him to create crosswords for class, he said, “I don’t even consider writing a fun Latin puzzle a job. I just enjoy doing it!”

That attitude seems to come across in the classroom. Second-year Latin student Demarcus Spivey said with a smile that he “gives you compliments if you do something good and has an amazing personality.”

Parents are also very happy with Knijff and the Middleburg Academy Latin department. Middleburg parent Kim Smith said, “Latin is a cornerstone language and a necessary foundation for a solid education,” and she is grateful that her child has an opportunity to learn from such an accomplished teacher.

Another parent, Henrich Heuer, said, “It would be wonderful for my daughter to learn enough Latin to be able to read Ovid or Virgil.”

A true Renaissance man, Knijff speaks at least five languages, including Latin, Ancient Greek, German, French and, of course, Dutch (although he admits that “it’s getting a bit rusty these days”), and is also an accomplished performer in many aspects of music. A professional pianist and organist, he has also sung and conducted professionally and played tuba in a Dixieland jazz band.

A winner of the International Bach Competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, Knijff’s musical skill can be aptly described as exceptional. He encourages students to make music as much as possible and is often found playing duets at the piano in the foyer of the academic building with students. His skill and experience as a performer are only one part of what makes him an excellent music teacher.

Colley Bell, one of Knijff’s piano students, said, “I enjoy the unique style that Knijff brings to the classroom,” and his previous experience as a performer “has helped me develop a relationship with him through piano.”

Despite his many professional accomplishments, it is his love of teaching students that shines through most. Although he has performed in concerts for many years, he feels “increasingly dissatisfied” with that format.

While living in Australia, he “experimented with something we called ‘Jan-Piet’s choice,’ in which I would play a piece of music, often with a student or colleague, and discuss aspects of the music and the performance with the audience. I have been looking for ways to do that here in Middleburg also.”

Indeed, Knijff never misses an opportunity to introduce his classes to all forms of music, from classical to Broadway to Pete Seeger and Judy Collins. He even treated attendees at his recent recital in Middleburg Academy’s Mary House to a taste of Jan-Piet’s choice.

Perhaps the best way to describe Knijff is “more.” He’s always looking for more out of himself, out of his students, and seemingly out of life itself. One third-year Latin student said, ”I’ve learned much about the language and culture but, perhaps more importantly, I’ve learned a lot about myself.”

Knijff’s unique approach to teaching combines not only the rules and grammar of a language, but also a deep passion for culture, literature and education that is contagious. ML

Kennedy Bryant just finished her first year at Middleburg Academy and looks forward to serving as president of her sophomore class next year. She enjoys playing competitive volleyball, reading books nonstop, shopping with her friends, and — of course — studying Latin.

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