Aktuelles Winter 2021-22
Member Awards and Recognition 2022 AATG Summer Study Program Maine AATG Chapter Report
American Association of Teachers of German, Inc.
AATG Board of Directors Doug Philipp, President Cheyenne Mountain High School, CO Priscilla Layne, Vice President University of North Carolina, NC Blake Peters, Treasurer German International School, OR Ingrid Zeller, Presiding Officer, Assembly of Chapter Presidents Northwestern University, IL Michael R. Shaughnessy, Executive Director AATG Office, Cherry Hill, NJ
Tobias Barske, Midwest Region University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, WI Katrina Bauerlein, Northeast Region Mahopac Central Schools, NY Cynthia Chalupa, Central Region West Virginia University, WV Morgan Koerner, Southeast Region College of Charleston, SC J.J. Melgar, Southwest Region Westwood High School, TX Jennifer Roper, Northwest Region Rocky Mountain High School, CO
The American Association of Teachers of German supports the teaching of the German language and German-speaking cultures in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education in the United States. The AATG promotes the study of the German-speaking world in all its linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity and endeavors to prepare students as transnational, transcultural learners and active, multilingual participants in a globalized world.
Published by the American Association of Teachers of German, Inc. Michael R. Shaughnessy Executive Director mike@aatg.org
Mercedes Pokorny Director of Operations mercedes@aatg.org
John Capasso Finance Manager john@aatg.org
Marisa Minard Director of Member Services marisa@aatg.org
Tara Herron Program Assistant tara@aatg.org
Veronika Burney Director of Programs veronika@aatg.org
112 Haddontowne Court, #104 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 Submit content to www.aatg.org/page/newsletter
Table of Contents 01 02 04
Give the Gift of AATG Membership
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Report from Maine AATG
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Executive Director Report Your support, in action
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President’s Letter
Aktuelles Inside Winter 2021-22
AATG President Doug Philipp highlights organizational accomplishments in 2021, thanks members and staff for their contributions, and shares a message about hope
AATG Director of Programs talks exciting plans for the AATG Summer Program in 2022
AATG members respond to the survey How Teaching German Changed My Life
Thank You for Your Support! Letter from Susanne Rinner, AATG Fundraising Committee Chair
2021 Member Awards and Recognition Why Study in Germany? We’re going back to Germany in 2022! Updates from AATG’s Director of Programs
National Office News
AATG Week of Giving
2021 AATG Week of Giving raised $20,000 for German in the U.S.
Susanne Rinner, Fundraising Chair, shares letter of thanks for your support
The Fundraising Committee wants you to help keep the momentum going during AATG’s Centennial Campaign (goal: raise $1,926,000 by 2026)
AATG Professional Partners
Chapter Highlight Join us in November 2022 in Boston! AATG will meet again at the 2022 ACTFL Convention, which will be a hybrid event with both inperson sessions andlvirtual I nt erna t i ona
sessions. There are many ways for you to participate! St ud ent Guid e • Organize a panel – Are you looking for people to present with you? Submit your idea ASAP at the link above. • Browse the organize sessions and send your idea to a session organizer by Jan. 5, 2022. • Learn more about the open call for proposals for various types of presentations. Proposals are due Jan. 14, 2022. We hope to see you next November -- in person -- in Boston!
Arne Koch, Maine AATG President, reports on member achievements and activities, and announces a new partnership in Maine for German
Have regional news to share with the national AATG? Submit an AATG chapter story to www.aatg.org/page/newsletter
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the gift of membership. Professional development opportunities, career connections, and a community of German educators to last a lifetime
All you need is the name, email address, and mailing address of your recipient.
Visit aatg.org/store/viewproduct.aspx? id=17580915 to get started!
President’s Letter
Dear Colleagues, As 2021 draws to a close, I would like to highlight some of the marvelous things that happened in our organization over this past year and thank you for all you have done. It has not been an easy year at all, but together we have been able to embrace hope and accomplish so much.
2022, so please be sure to read notification emails and peruse our main website to find out what we are offering, both for students at more levels of German language study and for instructors. During this most unusual year we established a strong financial foundation for our own professional development fund. The AATG Professional Development Fund is dedicated to helping our members champion more professional development opportunities for themselves using AATG organizational support. This fund was brought about primarily through donations from many of our AATG chapters as well as many personal donors. Each donation source understands that having a dedicated professional development fund both enhances our organization and provides more value to our members. Thank you to each chapter and each personal donor for your generosity during this time.
This year began with heightened awareness of matters concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Members voted to amend the AATG Constitution to create a permanent DEI committee and to establish a board position focused on DEI. Starting in 2022, our standing DEI committee will be represented by Chiann Tsui, the first elected Equity Officer to the Board of Directors. We also made changes to items like board policies so that members can report bias incidents if they happen at AATG -sponsored events. We are continuing to implement changes to our programs and program application processes so that members can indicate more precisely their preferences and needs. The inclusion of more options means we can include those needs and preferences into our program offerings. These positive changes help to move us towards the goals of fully welcoming and accepting each person who is interested in making the AATG their professional home.
Realizing that much has changed in a relatively short time span, Mike Shaughnessy and I met in late May in Colorado to work on the framework for a long-range
The revitalization of established AATG programs and the creation of new funded program offerings is underway. Our program offerings have been reduced since 2020 due to the pandemic, but the ambitious expansion of our programs in 2022 will bring more opportunities for AATG members. Wet i ona now lhave a new Programs Director, I nt erna Veronika Burney, who is pursuing two chief goals relating St ud ent Guid e to programs. The first objective is the revitalization, which includes things like summer study trips for students. Veronika is doing a splendid job working with our partner organizations and refreshing program options. The second goal is new program offerings with increased options and broader appeal. For example, we are looking closely at programs that cater to post-secondary students, knowing that experiences in-country can be quite beneficial. We are planning to have our programs return in Summer
Mike Shaughnessy and I met in late May 2021 to work on the framework of a long-range planning retreat for the Board of Directors.
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planning retreat for the Board of Directors. Plans changed, and the entire Board met for a series of synchronous meetings in early November to craft longrange planning ideas and goals. We reflected on past successes and tough spots, discussed at great length our current situation, and used this knowledge to craft goals for the future. I want to thank Mike for his exquisite work on the long-range planning sessions and for his guidance as we worked through things. We will be announcing the goals and implementation steps in the coming days. Please know that each of you is welcome to participate as we work to move our organization forward.
my questions and requests, and she offers very fine advice when asked. Although I have not been able to meet Veronika Burney in person yet, I know that she is strengthening our programs and broadening our outreach through her work as our Director of Programs. Tara Herron, our Program Assistant, helps to keep everything running well. Finally, it has been a very fine privilege to work with Mike Shaughnessy as we have dreamed, discussed, and planned together, with the goal of ensuring continued growth and stability for our organization. I believe each of the items I have highlighted in this column reflect very well the concept of hope, the concept that I have held close in my thoughts and dreams for our organization during the time that I have been president. We have been through some extraordinarily tough times since January 2020, and I know it has not been easy. Personally, I have chosen to hang on to hope, and that has helped me to make it to this point in time. I believe that hope has also helped our AATG, showing us that we members can accomplish so much when we work together, recognize and value the differences among us, and never lose sight of the core of our mission statement: to prepare people who will impact the world. Let’s continue to work earnestly together to promote all the facets of the peoples, cultures, and connections that have German as a key focus point. I am grateful to you for your support during my presidency, for bringing people and issues to my attention, and for trusting me to lead. Thank you very much.
The AATG Board of Directors is made up of excellent people who volunteer their time and energy to help positively move our organization forward. In 2020-2021, I have been greatly honored to have worked with Vice President Priscilla Layne; Treasurers Tony Jannotta (retired) and Blake Peters (current); Presiding Officer of Chapter Presidents Ingrid Zeller; Regional Representatives Tobias Barske, Katrina Bauerlein, Iris Bork-Goldfield (retired), Cynthia Chalupa (also our board secretary), Morgan Koerner, JJ Melgar, Siggi Piwek (retired), and Jennifer Roper; as well as Executive Directors Keith Cothrun (retired) and Mike Shaughnessy (current). I am truly grateful to each of them for their hard work, ideas, discussions, creativity, and dedication to the AATG. Thank you so very, very much. Our national staff works quietly in the background to keep our organization running smoothly. During the turbulent days of the pandemic, they continued to work from home for everyone in AATG, and I know they did splendid work. I want to thank our Director of Operations, Mercedes Pokorny, for her kindness, thoroughness, and readiness to help always. John Capasso, our Finance Manager, is always thorough in his answers, and he has become proficient in new financial management software during this time, leading to better practices in our financial matters. Marisa Minard, our Director of Member Services, is always patient with all
All the very best,
Doug Cheyenne Mountain High School Colorado Springs, Colorado runhiketeach@yahoo.com
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Thank you for your support! Dear AATG Members, The AATG Fundraising Committee would like to thank everyone who made AATG Week of Giving an enormous success. With the support of members and friends of AATG, we achieved our goal of unlocking $10,000 in matching funds and raising a total of more than $20,000 throughout the week for German. The week has shown the strong community of supporters behind German language education in the US, and we are proud to say these funds will support you and your programs. The Committee would also like to extend a herzliches Dankeschön to everybody who donated to AATG in 2021, including those who have donated for the first time this year. AATG could not fulfill its mission without your generosity. A special thank you goes to all AATG chapters that supported the establishment of the AATG Professional Development Endowed Fund. This much needed fund will support professional development for German educators. In addition, there are many AATG members who have donated on a regular basis and who continue to do so even in retirement. Please reach out to Michael Shaughnessy (mike@aatg.org) if you would like to consider AATG in your will. Thank you for your continued support for the next generation of students and educators of German! AATG is in the middle of its Centennial Campaign, so please consider giving $1,926 during the 10-year period of the campaign to join the group of 1926 donors. We seek to raise $1,926,000 by 2026, celebrating the past and planning for the future. Achieving this ambitious goal will ensure the longevity of AATG and its programs for students, educators, and the community. We wish you all the best during this holiday season and a happy and successful 2022!
Sincerely,
Susanne Rinner Chair, AATG Fundraising Committee
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AATG: Supporting Teachers and Students since 1926 WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE OFFER
The American Association of Teachers of German supports the teaching of the German language and German-speaking cultures in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education in the United States. The AATG promotes the study of the German-speaking world in all its linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity, and endeavors to prepare students as transnational, transcultural learners and active, multilingual participants in a globalized world.
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Student Scholarships (Summer exchange programs in Germany for high school students)
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Teacher Scholarships (Professional development programs in the US, Germany, and Austria)
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Direct support for schools (Program supplies, funding for projects, and stipends for teachers)
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Annual initiatives (Support for partners like the German Embassy and Educational Foundations)
HOW DOES AATG FUND ITS WORK?
20%
30%
15%
35%
Membership
Grants
Donations
Program Revenue
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES The AATG Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 to support study abroad in German-speaking countries. This fund has been used to support fully funded scholarships for high school students taking part in AATG summer programs. The Friends of AATG Endowment was founded to support the association and ensure the continuation of AATG’s programs and services to German teachers in the US. The AATG Professional Development Fund supports German teachers in professional development at all levels of instruction (K-16).
Contributing the to the AATG General Fund helps support the day-to-day operation of the organization. A donation to this fund goes to where the funds are needed most at any given time. Custom Giving: Interested in funding a new endowment, a bequest, or a specific cause? Reach out to our Executive Director to start a conversation: mike@aatg.org The AATG is a 501(c) (3) non-profit public charity. All gifts and donations are 100% tax deductible.
DONATE NOW!
856-795-5553 | info@aatg.org | www.aatg.org
112 Haddontowne Court #104, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Report from Maine AATG By Arne Koch, Maine AATG President
By partnership Angel Lane, Chapter “This new willPresident, focus on the AZ promotion of German language and cultural education across the state.”
Challenges continue to abound during the COVID pandemic as students and teachers in Maine time and again have to navigate shifting environments inside and outside the classroom. And while the past two years may long be remembered for the cancellations of our annual Sprachfest, the reception of student award winners in the Governor’s mansion in Augusta, and even the Deutsche Woche in Bar Harbor in 2020, our small chapter takes solace in the teaching excellence of our members as well as the impressive accomplishments of our students. No better way to begin than by recognizing teaching and learning excellence from across the state. Our outstanding high school seniors and AATG award recipients this year hailed from Cony, Maranacook, Mount View, and York High Schools. Two students from Colby College were awarded the Outstanding Collegiate Senior Award and a study abroad scholarship. We are no less delighted to celebrate Maine AATG members Melanie Kyer (FL-A-CH Award for excellence in the teaching of the language and cultures of Austria, the German-speaking areas of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and South Tyrol) and Gisela Hoecherl-Alden (Best Article in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German Award with Susanne Wagner) for their recent recognition by AATG for their outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning of German in the US and to By Jennifer McArthur, Staff Writer AATG scholarly publications, respectively.
In the classroom, with the arrival of Kerry Anderson as the new teacher at the Maranacook Community High School in Readfield, students have already experienced the energy and vision that Kerry brings to her position teaching German. After months of planning, her high school recently announced a partnership with the University of Maine in Orono that offers her Maranacook students a dual enrollment option for German 1 level. Maranacook and the University of Maine are hopeful that this opportunity for beginner learners may inspire others to pursue similar collaborations. PASCH students from Deb Backman’s Cony High School German program recently participated in the launch of the Goethe Institut’s newest learning platform, JuniorUni. JuniorUni offers opportunities to find answers to questions from the fields of technology, sustainability, robotics, space travel and energy.
As part of the launch, the Goethe Institut provided a classroom set of Calliope mini computers to the German program at Cony. Students used the online editor Open Roberta Lab to program the mini computers in German. The mini computers were transformed into digital Magic 8 Balls, which the students were able to program to
Cony High School students and their Magic 8 Balls
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respond to their burning questions in German. (https://bit.ly/3Cgj6YU)
Our chapter welcomed a different collaboration earlier this summer at a virtual signing ceremony hosted by the Maine Department of Education to celebrate a new memorandum of understanding with the Goethe Institut Boston. Chapter members Deb Backman, Melanie Kyer (York High School), and Arne Koch (Colby) shared their thoughts and reflections on the challenges and potential for our German programs. This partnership will focus on
new the
promotion of German language and cultural education across the state through a variety of resources, programs, and activities — ranging from career days and student competitions to free online courses for teachers and initiatives.
teacher
Maine Dept. of Education virtual MOU signing with Goethe Institut
recruitment
Finally, after COVID-19 forced hiatus of the Deutsche Woche in Bar Harbor, the annual week of German immersion and professional development sponsored by AATG Maine was back on the beautiful campus of the College of the Atlantic at the end of July. An enthusiastic group of participants (smaller due to single-occupancy requirements) was led through
Intercultural Learning in the German Classroom with Professor Lara Ducate of the University of South Carolina. The presentation explored new and old ways of embedding culture in all levels of language study. Deutsche Woche Coordinator Melanie Kyer encourages all AATG members to mark their calendars for July 24-30, 2022 when we look forward to another week on the Maine coast. The week will focus on issues of diversity and inclusion in the German classroom, co-taught by Gisela Hoecherl-Alden (Boston University) and Daphne Warren (Plano Senior High School). More information and official applications are coming soon to our chapter webpage: https://bit.ly/30Abe7J
2021 participants of Deutsche Woche, hosted at the College of the Atlantic campus in Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2021.
Member Awards The American Association of Teachers of German recognizes 19 individuals and one German program for their outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning of German in the US.
AATG Outstanding German Educator Award Ela Gezen, Associate Professor and Program Director for German at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Cindi Hodgdon, German teacher at ConVal High School, Peterborough, New Hampshire; and Linda Costa, teacher of German at Jonas Salk Middle School in Old Bridge, New Jersey, received AATG’s highest honor, the Outstanding German Educator Award. This award is presented in recognition of demonstrated excellence in German education and creative leadership in German
language education in local, state, and national arenas.
Ela Gezen
Cindi Hodgdon
Linda Costa
AATG Center of Excellence One German program was recognized as a German Center of Excellence. This designation is presented to well-established and growing German programs with demonstrated excellence in instruction and strong support from administration, professional colleagues, alumni, and students. The Billings Public Schools German program in Montana is this year’s designee.
German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Benjamin Fisher, German teacher at Bothell High School, Bothell, Washington; Victoria Henecka, teacher of German at British International School of Houston, Katy, Texas; and Mirela Kimbrough, German teacher at Brookwood High School, Snellville, Georgia, received the German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award. The Embassy recognizes up-and-coming German teachers for excellence in teaching, creativity, and outstanding dedication.
10 Benjamin Fisher
Victoria Henecka
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Mirela Kimbrough
Member Awards The award recipients were recognized at the virtual 2021 Awards Presentation on November 20, 2021 presided over by Doug Philipp, AATG President.
AATG/Goethe-Institut Outstanding GAPP Coordinator Award
FL-A-CH Award Melanie Kyer, teacher of German at York High School in York, Maine,
The AATG/Goethe-Institut Outstanding GAPP Coordinator
was recognized with the FL-A-CH Award for excellence in the
Award, which honors a teacher who provides opportunities for
teaching of the language and cultures of Austria, the German-
students to study abroad through the German American
speaking areas of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and South Tyrol. The
Partnership Program, was presented to Jeffrey Dyer,
award is sponsored by the Austrian Cultural Forum, the
Oregon High School, Oregon, Wisconsin.
Embassy of Switzerland, and the Embassy of Liechtenstein.
Goethe-Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit Five educators were recognized with the Goethe-Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit for their achievements in furthering the teaching of German: Britta Kallin, Associate Professor and Director of the German Program at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; Heidi Lechner, teacher of German at Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois; Pamela Scholz, teacher and language school director at the German American School of Palo Alto, California; Kathryn Sederberg, Assistant Professor of German at Kalamazoo College in Michigan; and Mark Wagner, teacher of German at Nicolet High School, Glendale, Wisconsin.
Britta Kallin
Heidi Lechner
Pamela Scholz
Kathryn Sederberg
Mark Wagner
Checkpoint Charlie Foundation Teacher Award Megan Brazle, Springdale High School, Springdale, Arkansas, and Jonathan Wipplinger, Associate Professor of German at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, received the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation Teacher Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers of German who strengthen intercultural understanding.
Megan Brazle
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Jonathan Wipplinger
Member Awards At the 2021 Awards Ceremony, the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) recognized four individuals for their contributions to the scholarly publications of the AATG.
Max Kade Prize for Best Article in The German Quarterly
The German Quarterly Graduate Student Paper Award
Recognized for her scholarly work is Patrizia McBride, Professor of German
Emir Yigit, Cornell University, New York, received The German Quarterly
Studies, Senior Associate Dean for Social and Interdisciplinary Programs,
Graduate Student Paper Award. His paper will be published in an
and Director of the Institute for German Cultural Studies at Cornell
upcoming issue of The German Quarterly.
University in New York. McBride received the Max Kade Prize for Best Article in The German Quarterly.
Best Article in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German Award Susanne M. Wagner, Associate Professor of German, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Gisela Hoecherl-Alden, Professor of the Practice in German and Assistant Dean & Director of Language Instruction at Boston University, Massachusetts, were recognized with the Best Article in Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German Award.
Susanne Wagner
Gisela Hoecherl-Alden
2021 Awards Presentation
With Special Thanks
Austrian Cultural Forum New York Austrian Bundesministerium für Bildung
German-American Partnership Program Goethe-Institut
Checkpoint Charlie Foundation Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Max Kade Foundation Schulamt des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
Embassy of Switzerland
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AATG Life Members A special THANK YOU to all Life Members! As an AATG Life Member, you get full access to AATG member benefits for the rest of your life. Invest in your future while supporting German at great savings.
New AATG Life Members in 2021 Cynthia Chalupa Shannon A. Dubenion Smith Glenn Ehrstine Jean E. Godsall-Myers Mark W. Himmelein Juan Carlos Morales Jonas Strecker
Honorary Members and Fellows of AATG Congratulations! Congratulations to Thomas Keith Cothrun, who at the 2021 Annual Membership Meeting of the AATG, held virtually on December 5, 2021, was named an Honorary Member of the organization by the assembled membership. Honorary Members are distinguished Germanists or specialists in second language acquisition with a focus on Deutsch als Fremdsprache. They are recognized scholars of international stature who have contributed to the advancement of Germanic studies
in the fields of literary studies, linguistics, second language acquisition, or pedagogy, or distinguished K-12 educators with significant regional and/or national impact.
In addition to this honor, Honorary Fellows of AATG are distinguished men and women of letters. Distinguished men and women of letters is to be interpreted in a broad sense. They may be distinguished scholars or professionals in German studies fields outside language and literature; or they may be creative writers or essayists. Nominations for Honorary Members and Honorary Fellows: Active AATG members may nominate persons to the committee chair. This may be done independently or through an AATG chapter. The last day to submit nominations is September 1, 2022. Find more information at www.aatg.org/page/HonoraryMembers .
Heidi Lechner
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Mark Wagner
How Teaching German Changed My Life Sharing your responses Andrew Richards, Pennsylvania Als ich jünger war, hatte ich wirklich keine Ahnung, was ich mit meinem Leben machen wollte. Selbst als ich an der Uni begann, war es mir noch unklar. Ich wusste, aber, dass ich schon seit vielen Jahren Deutsch gelernt und studiert hatte, so mein Plan begann, sich zu formen. Die meisten meiner Verwandten waren Lehrer und ich merkte als Kind, dass wir irgendwie immer den Sommer frei hatten. Dann begann der Plan klarer zu werden. Ich dachte, dass meine Deutschklassen immer relativ klein waren und hatten auch die besten Schüler. Diese Kombination von Sommerferien und kleine Klassen mit guten Schülern war unwiderstehlich. Die letzten 25 Jahren sind schnell gegangen. Ich arbeite seit 20 Jahren an einer der besten Schulen in Pennsylvania, wo ich AP
Deutsch unterrichte, sowie die Kleinen an der Mittelschule. In den früheren Jahren, war mein Leben von der Arbeit geprägt. Ich war auf dem ExCo von PSMLA, durfte oft nach ACTFL reisen und war Chapter President für WPWV. In 2005 habe ich ein Fulbright Austausch mit einer Schule in Berlin gemacht und für ungefähr 5 Jahre nachher, hatte ich ein Austausch mit meiner deutschen Schule. So, wie hat das Unterrichten von Deutsch mein Leben geändert? Sehr positiv, wenn ich ehrlich sein muss. Ich hatte die Chance, oft nach Deutschland zu reisen, ich durfte mit hochintelligenten jungen Menschen arbeiten, und mein Leben hat beruflich relativ wenig Stress, weil ich normalerweise nicht unter die Lupe komme.
Kristina Wassmann, Ohio Tja, ich wollte doch eigentlich nie Lehrerin werden, geschweige denn Deutschlehrerin. Aber so ist das Leben nunmal, voller Überraschungen. Seitdem ich Lehrerin geworden bin, habe ich mich Hals-über-Kopf in den Beruf verliebt.
Ich lache jeden Tag aus vollem Hals mit meinen Schülern. Ich freue mich tierisch, wenn meine SchülerInnen plötzlich einen tollen Dialog von sich geben, und wenn sie mir zeigen, wie viel Spaß ihnen der Unterricht macht. Deutschlehrerin sein? Hält mich jung, find ich cool, macht mich stolz!
Didn’t get a chance to submit your response? AATG members are welcome to complete the survey for a chance to be featured in a future AATG Aktuelles.
German Major at University of Alabama Chosen as Rhodes Scholar Congratulations to German major Nicholas Hayes, who was selected as one of 32 Americans to receive a Rhodes Scholarship and will study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom after graduating college. Hayes is a German and mathematics student at the University of Alabama (UA). Nick is the university’s 16th Rhodes Scholar. He is an “impressive student... the Germany faculty here were thrilled to support his candidacy. AATG members Matt Feminella, Doug Lightfoot, and Raegan Lemmond wrote letters of support,” said Corinne Crane, AATG member and German professor at UA. Here is UA’s press release: https://news.ua.edu/2021/11/ua-student-chosen-as-a-rhodes-scholar/ Submitted by Corinne Crane, AATG Member
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Member Spotlight Have a colleague you would like to highlight? Know a rising star in the German teaching community? Tell us about them. Submit content to our newsletter form for a chance to featured in a future AATG Aktuelles: aatg.org/page/newsletter
Award recipients for Indiana Teacher of the Year were submitted to AATG Aktuelles by the Indiana AATG chapter. The awards were presented at the Indiana AATG Annual Meeting in November 2021 during the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association Conference.
Jen William is the collegiate award winner for this year’s Indiana Teacher of the Year. Jen is a professor of German and currently serves as the Head of the School of Languages and Cultures at Purdue University, where she has been on the faculty for 19 years. She has thoroughly enjoyed teaching a range of undergraduate and graduate courses during this time, with some of her favorites being the Introduction to the Study Jen William with Indiana AATG President Tim Malchow of German Literature; German Cinema; and German Expressionism. Jen continues to teach while in her current administrative role, which keeps her grounded— while she really likes leading a large department consisting of 14 different languages, going to class to interact with her students remains her favorite part of any day. She also serves as faculty advisor to Purdue’s chapter of the German National Honor Society, Delta Phi Alpha. Her research specializations are 20th- and 21st-century German literature, film, and cognitive studies. Along with book chapters on these topics, and articles in journals such as The German Quarterly and German Studies Review, she has published two monographs and has coedited three scholarly essay volumes. Since 2008, she has served as a co-editor for the German literature entries in the comprehensive online resource The Literary Encyclopedia.
Corbin Mathias has been a teacher at Fishers High School for the past seven years, and is the 2021 secondary education award winner for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Corbin teaches levels 1-3 of German and has helped grow the German program and German Club at Fishers. He has co-led two GAPP international exchanges (2016, 2018) with his colleague, Robin Geisinger. Before Corbin Mathias with Indiana coming to Fishers, Corbin taught all levels of AATG President Tim Malchow German at Copley High School in Ohio, and taught English for a year at the Emil-PossehlSchule in Lübeck, Germany as part of the US Fulbright Program. Corbin would like to thank his students for many great memories, their incredible work and their creativity over the years. He is also grateful for the strong network of outstanding German teachers across Indiana, especially his former teacher, now colleague, Robin Geisinger. Of course, none of this would’ve been possible without his original source of inspiration and former teacher, Mary Ann Verkamp, who encouraged Mr. Mathias to study abroad on an AATG summer program in high school and who still inspires him in his work every day.
A native of Germany, Michaela Houldieson is the K-8 award recipient for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Michaela graduated from Valparaiso University and began teaching that year at the Middlebury High School. The following year, she began teaching at Valparaiso High School, where she taught German 1 through 5, including AP and IB for 15 years. She moved to the middle schools in Valparaiso in 2020, and this is her second year teaching at that level. Michaela’s teaching style is very European in that she wants students to learn how to think for themselves and learn through trial and error, herself taking on the role of a guide rather than a lecturer, whenever possible. Michaela’s biggest current goal is to regrow the German program at Valparaiso Middle Schools to where it was ten years ago. Michaela Houldieson with Indiana AATG President Tim Malchow
Justin Martinson is Indiana’s Rising Star. Justin earned a B.A. in Communication and Culture from Indiana University with minors in German and studio art. After studying for a semester abroad at Leuphana Universität in Lüneburg, he returned to Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, the site of his first experience in Germany as a high school GAPP exchange student. There he spent two years living and working in the local hospital. While training to teach English in Munich with CELTA, he found his calling to teach and enrolled in Calumet College of St. Joseph’s Transition to Teaching program where he also went on to earn a MA in teaching. He taught second grade for two years at Liberty Elementary School in Chesterton, IN where he also introduced the German language and culture to his students. For the past four years, he has taught German at Chesterton High School and continues to travel to Pfaffenhofen, his home away from home, now alongside his own students through the GAPP exchange. He is also the director of CHS’s children’s theater productions.
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Why Study Abroad
in Germany?
DEVELOP YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS Learn to speak German like the locals do and immerse yourself in the culture and daily life.
FUN FACTS:
91%
of alumni report that studying abroad reinforced their commitment to foreign language study
48%
of alumni state that they still use a language other than English regularly
48%
GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES Broaden your horizons by learning more about different cultures, and experience authentic life abroad firsthand. 98%
FUN FACT:
98%
of study abroad alumni say their experience has helped them better understand their own cultural values and biases
INCREASE YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE Studying abroad doesn’t just teach you more about a foreign country and its people, it can help you learn more about yourself and your own background.
FUN FACT:
MAKE NEW FRIENDS Connect with your German host sibling and classmates, and bond with your fellow American students while you’re traveling.
DID YOU KNOW? Most participants stay in touch with their host families and friends abroad and go back to visit them for years to come!
96%
of study abroad alumni report that it increased self-confidence
BOOST YOUR RESUME Studies show that experience studying abroad leads to increased chances of scoring an internship, makes your college application more competitive, and may even earn you a higher salary. Source: iesabroad.org/study-abroad/benefits/alumni-survey-results
Interested in learning more about our programs in Germany or in planning your own custom program? 856-795-5553 | info@aatg.org www.aatg.org 112 Haddontowne Court #104, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Scan the QR Code to get started or contact veronika@aatg.org
We’re going back to Germany in 2022! Updates from the AATG Director of Programs
Travel to Germany Our AATG Summer Study Abroad Program for High School Students is back - with new locations, new schools, and new adventures and opportunities for students and teachers! The AATG German Summer Study Program provides an excellent opportunity for students to travel to Germany for a language study and homestay experience. Students attend classes at a Gesamtschule (high school), live with the family of a host sibling who attends the
school, visit regional attractions, and experience the German language and culture firsthand. Students return speaking German better - with a greater sense of confidence, maturity, and independence. The program, started in 1978, is sponsored in cooperation with the German government's Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD). Applications for students interested in the 2022 Summer Study Abroad Program are now open on our website. Scholarship applications are available as well. Get started by
scanning the QR code!
Interested in being a chaperone? AATG is looking for dedicated German teachers to serve as chaperones for the AATG German Summer Study Program for High School Students. The American chaperone is the main point of contact for the American students and helps lead the group on excursions. As a chaperone, you will travel to and from Germany with a group of approximately 15 students. While in Germany, you will serve as one of two chaperones, the second being your German KursleiterIn, teach at least two hours of classes daily, and act as the liaison between the KursleiterIn, the school, the host families, and the students. AATG covers round-trip airfare to Germany, professional liability insurance, a per diem to cover expenses on site and a small stipend for the chaperone. Chaperones usually live with a German host who provides room and board, or in private accommodations. Apply now and join the students on their trip! More information and chaperone applications are available online now. Get started at https://www.aatg.org/ page/SummerStudyTeachers
Questions? Contact Director of Programs Veronika Burney at veronika@aatg.org. Veronika is a German native who first studied abroad in the US in 2005. Veronika received her Ph.D. in German Studies from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, in 2015. She has taught German at colleges across the US for over a decade, most recently at William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
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Executive Director Report Your support, in action
Dear AATG Colleagues, I would like to extend my gratitude for all the support that you have offered to programs and students in 2021 and during the AATG Week of Giving. The reason why I give to AATG is to directly support students, programs, and teachers of German nationwide. We can already see the impact in action of the support you provide today. Through donations, matching funds, and partners, we will offer the equivalent of 80 student scholarships to Germany in the summer of 2022. For teachers, we will offer 20 scholarships to Germany through our Mit Deutsch in die Zukunft program. And for 2022, we will offer our first scholarship to teachers from the AATG Professional Development fund. If you ever wonder how to access these support programs, just reach out to one of our staff members and we'll be happy to show you! https://www.aatg.org/page/StaffList I'm fortunate to work with so many great people and partners who are committed to the same goal of educating transnational, transcultural learners and active, multilingual participants in a globalized world. I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year and wish you a wonderful holiday season.
Herzlichst
Michael R. Shaughnessy Executive Director AATG mike@aatg.org
News from the National Office Fröhliche Feiertage! Frohe Weihnachten! Chanukka Sameach! Frohes Neues Jahr! From the national office, we wish our friends a happy and healthy holiday season! Our office will close starting Thursday, December 23 for the winter holidays and reopen on Monday, January 3.
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Liebe Kolleg*innen, mit dem Winter-Newsletter neigt sich ein turbulentes Jahr zu Ende, das wie schon das Vorjahr auch stark durch die COVID19-Pandemie beeinflusst wurde. Nichtsdestotrotz freuten wir
uns, wie jedes Jahr an der ACTFL teilnehmen zu können. Ein Highlight des ACTFL Virtual 2021 Wochenendes war es, zusammen mit dem AATG besonders engagierten Deutschlehrkräfte das Certificate of Merit zu überreichen. Insbesondere bei solchen Feierlichkeiten werden wir in unserer Aufgabe bestärkt, Deutschlehrer*innen in den USA zu unterstützen, wo wir können, und das ist uns allen eine große Freude und Ehre. Mit dem baldigen Ende des Jahres steigt für uns die Vorfreude auf ein Jubiläumsjahr: 2022 feiert das GoetheInstitut 70 Jahre Kultur- und Spracharbeit, 70 Jahre Ideen, Initiativen, Begegnungen und 70 Jahre beständige
Wandlungsfähigkeit. Als Orte für künstlerische Freiheit und Pluralismus fördern die weltweit 158 GoetheInstitute den kulturellen Austausch, das Erlernen der deutschen Sprache und die Zusammenarbeit mit Künstler*innen, Kulturschaffenden und Partnern der Zivilgesellschaft an ihren Standorten und darüber hinaus. Jubiläen sind ein willkommener Anlass, um einen Blick in die Vergangenheit zu werfen. Wie hat sich das Goethe-Institut in den letzten gewandelt? Was waren und sind die Herausforderungen und Lösungen, die gefunden wurden? Was können wir für die Zukunft lernen? Schauen Sie vorbei auf unserer Jubiläumswebseite www.goethe.de/70jahre. Und nicht nur für das Goethe-Institut ist es ein Jubiläumsjahr: GAPP feiert nächstes Jahr das 50. Jubiläum! Mehr als 400.000 Schüler*innen hat GAPP seit 1972 bei Austauschen in die Vereinigten Staaten oder nach Deutschland unterstützt und dadurch eindrucksvolle Geschichten und Begegnungen ermöglicht.
Viel Freude beim Erkunden der Angebote des Goethe-Instituts und beim Lesen des Newsletters wünscht Ihnen herzlichst
Anne Schönhagen
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Coding with the Digital JuniorUni It’s never too early to start learning how to code! With the learning platform #JuniorUni USA, teens (14-16 years old) can learn about robotics, coding, space, sustainability, natural sciences, and technologies. Short videos with embedded basic German words combine STEM with language learning (CLIL Content and Language Integrated Learning). The professors are teenagers who introduce the engaging lectures together with “JOWO”, an animated drone. Learning at and graduating from the JuniorUni USA is free! Sign up today: Link in bio./Goethe.de/usa/junioruni
➡ For teachers in the US: Inquire about a Calliope-set for your classroom and schedule a workshop with the JuniorUni USA team at the Goethe-Institut Washington DC. Email: junioruni-usa@goethe.de
➡ Fun fact: German #astronaut Matthias Maurer (@esamatthiasmaurer) is currently on the #ISS and will broadcast student-programmed experiments with a Calliope mini-computer. There is still time to send in coded experiments to the @calliope_mini team. #CalliopEO
Find out more by visiting our website: Goethe.de/usa/junioruni
Book a GEM (German Educational Multiplier)! GEMs are a group of dedicated German educators who are passionate about teaching and learning German in the US: Sarah Buckliew, Christine Connor, Cindi Hodgdon, Ute Hoefel, Dr. Berit Jany, Heidi Lechner, Sara Lee, Dr. Bridget Levine-West, Melanie Mello, Jasmin Root-Joswig, and Dr. Julia Ruck. This energetic, knowledgeable, and experienced group of teachers look forward to working with colleagues, administrators, and the community. GEMs offer customized workshops and professional training to strengthen existing programs and to build new capacity so that all students who wish to learn German and connect with the German-speaking world have access to high-quality language education in German. All workshops are offered free of charge. Take a look at our website, book a GEM here (include LINK) or get in touch with the Program Director, Dr. Susanne Rinner at susanne.rinner@goethe.de.
Would you like to host a workshop or professional development at your next AATG chapter meeting, for your colleagues in your district or region, or at your state or regional language conference?
Do you teach German and would like to learn more about programs, projects, and events that support the excellence of teaching and learning German in the US?
Would you like to learn more about how to start or extend your German program?
Are you a representative of a community that is interested in connecting with German via STEM and other topics? Book a workshop with a GEM. (LINK: )
Competence Development/Knowledge Management/Networking A joint project of the AATG and the Goethe-Institut
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STEP INTO GERMAN: Award of Excellence 2021/22 Ziel 1 der Agenda 2030 der UNO lautet, Armut in jeglicher Form zu bekämpfen. "Armut" ist daher auch das Thema unseres Wettbewerbs Award of Excellence 2021/22. Wir möchten eure Schüler*innen dazu aufrufen, sich mit diesem wichtigen Thema zu befassen und unsere Quizfragen zu beantworten. Die Gewinner*innen erwartet ein Sprachkurs in Deutschland. *vorausgesetzt die Covid-Situation lässt es zu. Von 15. Dezember 2021 bis 15. März auf STEP INTO GERMAN. https://www.goethe.de/ prj/stg/en/deu/aoe.html
U-HÄPPCHEN: INKLUSION „Der Fortschritt lebt vom Austausch des Wissens.“ (Albert Einstein) Austausch des Wissens wird hier durch das Teilen Ihrer selbstgestalteten Unterrichtsmaterialien geschaffen. Unsere Kolleg*innen aus New York erstellen monatlich die sogenannten U-Häppchen. Das sind interaktive PDFs zum Herunterladen, die man direkt in der Klasse anwenden kann. Das Sprachniveau der Lernenden sollte dabei mindestens A2 sein. Im Monat November geht es um Inklusion. Was ist Inklusion und wie sieht eine Gesellschaft, die Inklusion lebt, aus? Gestalten Sie eine Unterrichtsstunde mit den interaktiven Arbeitsblättern rund um dieses aktuelle Thema. Hier geht es zum U-Häppchen.
#NEUES AUS DEUTSCHLAND Was gibt's Neues in Deutschland und wie sieht der Alltag aus? Was bewegt die Menschen? Laden Sie eine:n unserer jungen „German for Hire“ Botschafter:innen ein, um mit Ihren Schüler:innen über ein Thema Ihrer Wahl zu sprechen. Beliebte Themen sind Leben und Trends in Deutschland, Jugend - und Pop Kultur, das Bildungssystem oder Feiertage! Melden Sie sich jetzt für
einen kostenlosen virtuellen Besuch an. Besuche sind landesweit möglich. https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/wsh/ser/ghf.html
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GAPP feiert Geburtstag… und braucht eure Hilfe! Mehr als 400.000 ehemalige Schüler*innen hat GAPP seit 1972 bei ihrem Austausch in die Vereinigten Staaten oder nach Deutschland unterstützt. Das sind zahlreiche eindrucksvolle Geschichten und Begegnungen, die zu lebenslangen Freundschaften geführt haben! Anlässlich des 50. Jubiläums sucht GAPP ehemalige Austauschschüler und Koordinatoren, die von ihren
persönlichen Erfahrungen im Rahmen eines Alumni Portraits erzählen möchten. Gibt es außerdem tolle Fotos aus eurem GAPP Austausch, die du gern mit uns teilen möchtest? Dann kontaktiere bitte Sandra Niggemann (Sandra.Niggemann.extern@goethe.de). Wir freuen uns von dir zu hören! Save the Date: Am 10. März 2022 findet unser erstes GAPP Alumni Event am Goethe-Institut in New York statt. Weitere Infos folgen. GAPP Grant Application Wir freuen uns riesig zu hören, dass viele von Ihnen bereits planen, mit Ihren Schüler*innen im Jahr 2022 nach Deutschland zu reisen. Unser Stipendienantrag ist jetzt online auf unserer Website.
Hier finden Sie den Link: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/unt/com/gpp/ste/app.html
GAVE Der German American Virtual Exchange (GAVE) ermöglicht es Lehrer*innen, ihren Schüler*innen einen reichhaltigen kulturellen Austausch mit einer Partnerschule in Deutschland zu bieten, ohne die USA zu verlassen. In diesem kostenlosen Programm bieten wir:
einen Fahrplan, der Sie durch den Prozess eines Online-Austauschs führt
Austauschmaterialien zu schülerzentrierten Themen, in Deutsch und Englisch
Zugang zur datenschutzsicheren Austauschplattform, Immerse-U
ein Technologiestipendium von bis zu $1000 für den Kauf von Geräten oder Programmabonnements, die Ihren Austausch bereichern
Für alle Infos und zur Registrierung: www.goethe.de/GAVE
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Neues von der Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA)
Liebe Kolleginnen, liebe Kollegen, das neue Schuljahr hat begonnen und wir freuen uns über erfolgreich durchgeführte Online- und Präsenzveranstaltungen zum Jugend debattiert-Wettbwerb, zur weiteren Ausbildung von DSD-Expert:innen, die Aufnahme weiterer DSD-Schulen und ein persönliches Beispiel, das aufzeigt, welche Möglichkeiten das DSD bietet. Wir wünschen allen Kolleginnen und Kollegen einen guten Verlauf des neuen Schuljahres! Herzlichst, Susanne Dreyer, houston@auslandsschulwesen.de
Spannende Debatten bei den ersten JD-Regionalfinals in Nordamerika Nachdem im vergangenen Jahr die Pandemie alle Bemühungen zunichte gemacht hatte, in den USA erstmals einen Wettbewerb Jugend debattiert durchzuführen, unternahmen die Fachberatungen in diesem Jahr einen neuen Anlauf, den Wettbewerb zu etablieren. Befürchtungen, neben dem Distanzunterricht würde sich bei den Schüler:innen eine Zoom-Müdigkeit einstellen, bewahrheiteten sich nicht. Im Gegenteil: Die Erwartungen wurden bei Weitem übertroffen, denn am Ende meldeten sich knapp einhundert Schüler:innen von über dreißig Schulen für den aus zehn Sitzungen umfassenden Workshop an. Neben Schüler:innen aus allen Teilen der USA nahmen auch Jugendliche aus Kanada und Mexico teil. Parallel dazu wurden vierzig Lehrkräfte ausgebildet, damit sie ab dem kommenden Schuljahr ihre Schüler:innen selbst trainieren können. Vor dem Wettbewerb wurden die Lehrkräfte zu Juror:innen ausgebildet. Am 22. und 23. Mai war es schließlich soweit: In zwei Regionalwettbewerben redeten sich 56 Debattant:innen die Köpfe heiß. Es wurde kontrovers, aber fair gestritten, und zwar über Themen wie: „Soll das Verbreiten von Verschwörungstheorien strafbar sein“ oder „Soll der Verkauf von zuckerhaltigen Getränken und Schokoriegeln in der Schule grundsätzlich verboten werden?“ In zwei Sprach- und Herkunftsgruppen und zwei Debattenrunden wurden die sechzehn talentiertesten Redner:innen für das erste Nordamerika-Finale in San Francisco ermittelt. Die Jurys hatten bei so vielen talentierten Redner:innen eine schwere Entscheidung zu treffen. Aber sie wurden tatkräftig unterstützt von vielen meist jugendlichen Juror:innen, die in Deutschland selbst schon als Teilnehmende in Landesfinals oder sogar in der Endrunde in Berlin vertreten waren. Nach den Kriterien Sachkenntnis, Ausdrucksvermögen, Gesprächsfähigkeit und Überzeugungskraft wurden schließlich die Sieger:innen ermittelt. In der Gruppe der DAF/ DAZ- Schüler:innen gewannen Stacy Jane Kornelsen vom Colegio Obregon in Chihuahua (Mexico) und Sinead Roché vom German School Campus (Kalifornien). Bei den Muttersprachler:innen und Heritage Speakers überzeugten Mathilda Grosse von der German Pacific School of San Diego (Kalifornien) und Elliot Atherton von der British International School of Houston (Texas) die Jurys besonders. Im November lernen sich die Nordamerika-Finalist:innen persönlich in San Francisco kennen, wenn es die Pandemie erlaubt. Neben den Redeschlachten wird hoffentlich auch Zeit sein, die Stadt zu erkunden und die Freundschaften, die in den Workshops entstanden sind, zu vertiefen. Die Gewinnerin oder der Gewinner des Finales, das im Generalkonsulat in San Francisco ausgetragen wird, wird im Juni 2022 als Gast zum deutschen Bundesfinale nach Berlin eingeladen. Bericht: Ingo Matthias, sanfrancisco@auslandsschulwesen.de & Gabi Maiss Minkler, seattle@auslandsschulwesen.de
Neues von der Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA)
Größtes DSD I Gold Präsenzseminar Am 25. und 26. September fand in New York das zweitägige DSD GOLD Kurs DSD I Präsenzseminar statt. Höhepunkt war die feierliche Verleihung der Zertifikate an 31 Lehrkräfte durch die Kulturreferentin Yasemin Pamuk des Generalkonsulats New York. Die Lehrkräfte kamen aus 17 Schulen der Regionen der Fachberatungen für Deutsch Houston und New York. Besonders anregend in diesem Kurs war die unterschiedliche Zusammensetzung der Schulen. Es waren Lehrkräfte aus Samstagsschulen, High Schools und einer Deutschen Schule vertreten. Insbesondere die Samstagsschulen haben ein sehr schwieriges Schuljahr hinter sich, da sie ausschließlich Online-Unterricht anbieten konnten. Die Bearbeitung der Online-Module des Kurses über mehr als ein halbes Jahr war eine zusätzliche Herausforderung für alle Lehrkräfte, die sie aber bravourös gemeistert haben. Die Möglichkeit endlich einmal alle Teilnehmer:innen Die Teilnehmer des DSD Gold-Präsenzseminars Foto: Helmut Kehlenbeck aus dem Kurs persönlich kennenzulernen wurde als besonders bedeutsam erlebt. Nicht nur die beiden Kursleitungen Susanne Dreyer (FB Houston) und Helmut Kehlenbeck (FB New York) sind überzeugt, dass durch diesen Kurs wichtige Impulse für die Verbesserung der schulübergreifenden Zusammenarbeit und für die Qualitätsentwicklung des DSD gesetzt wurden. Auch die Lehrkräfte zeigten sich angesichts der erarbeiteten Fachgebiete begeistert und verabredeten eine gemeinsame WhatsApp-Gruppe namens „mehrgliedrige Hypotaxen“, um die äußerst erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit fortzusetzen. Der laue Septemberabend im Bryant Park mit Gesprächen ohne Maske hat sicherlich ebenfalls dazu beigetragen, dass dieser Kurs ein voller Erfolg geworden ist.
Treffen im Bryant Park Foto: Helmut Kehlenbeck
Mit dem Prüferzertifikat DSD GOLD können auch einheimische Lehrkräfte den Prüfungsvorsitz beim DSD I übernehmen.
Bericht: Helmut Kehlenbeck, newyork@auslandsschulwesen.de & Susanne Dreyer, houston@auslandsschulwesen.de
Neues von der Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA)
So soll‘s sein – mit dem DSD II an die Universität nach Deutschland inklusive Stipendium Als Ethan Rotnem in der 8. Klasse an der Chamblee Middle School in Atlanta Georgia begann Deutsch zu lernen, hätte er sich nicht träumen lassen, dass er einmal in Deutschland eine Universität besuchen wird. Aber, so soll es sein, denn mit dem DSD I kann der Weg direkt ans Studienkolleg und mit dem DSD II durch das Studienticket DSD direkt an eine Universität oder Fachhochschule in Deutschland führen. Ethan Rotnem hatte das Glück im DSD-Programm der Chamblee Middle School und der Chamblee Charter High School von sehr motivierten und hochqualifizierten Deutschlehrern unterrichtet zu werden, so dass er das DSD aufgrund seines außergewöhnlich hohen persönlichen Einsatzes sehr gut bestand und anschließend Deutsch am College weiterführen konnte. Auch am College verschafften ihm die bestandenen DSD Prüfungen einen großen Vorteil, da er hierfür eine große Anzahl von „Credits“ schon zu Beginn seines Studiums erhielt, was in Bezug auf das DSD an vielen amerikanischen Universitäten so gehandhabt wird. Das Erstaunliche an Ethans Werdegang ist, dass Ethan keine deutschen Vorfahren in seiner Familie hat, sondern nur durch seinen eigenen Einsatz als Schüler innerhalb der anspruchsvollen Deutschprogramme der DSD-Schulen zum Erwerb der Deutschen Sprache gelangt ist. Ethan vor seiner Forschungseinrichtung an der RWTH Aachen in Deutschland Foto: Ethan Rotnem
Da Ethan seine Deutschkenntnisse während seines Studiums am Georgia Tech College weiter vertiefen konnte, ist es ihm nun gelungen mit einem DAAD Rise Stipendium an die RWTH Aachen zu gehen. Was für ein großartiger Erfolg für Ethan Rotnem. Lieber Ethan, wir, deine ehemaligen DSD-Lehrkräfte und Prüfer gratulieren dir, wünschen dir eine spannende Zeit an der RWTH Aachen und freuen uns auch zukünftig auf interessante Berichte von dir. Bericht: Nicolette Gahleitner, atlanta@auslandsschulwesen.de
Diplomübergabe und Tag der deutschen Einheit an Deutscher Samstagsschule in Houston Am Samstag, 2.Oktober 2021 wurden an der DSS Houston nicht nur die DSD-Diplome verliehen, sondern es wurde mit der gesamten Schulgemeinschaft der Tag der deutschen Einheit gefeiert. Die kleinen Schüler:innen wurden durch die hervorragende Ausstellung geführt, die OberstufenSchüler:innen präsentierten alle deutschen Altkanzler:innen und stellten die gerade stattgefundene Bundestagswahl äußerst treffend nach.
Veranschaulichung der ehemaligen Teilung Deutschlands Foto: Susanne Dreyer
Neues von der Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA)
Diplomvergabe durch Susanne Dreyer, Fachberatung für Deutsch und Dr. Ute Eisele, Schulleiterin der DSS Houston Foto: Denise Larsson
Insgesamt eine sehr gelungene Veranstaltung, die in der Diplomübergabe ihren Höhepunkt fand. Bericht: Susanne Dreyer, houston@auslandsschulwesen.de
Neue DSD Schule in Alexandria, Virginia, USA Am 17. September wurde die Absichtserklärung zum Einsatz des Programms und der Prüfungen zum Deutschen Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz zwischen dem Zentralen Ausschuss und der Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology unterschrieben.Mit der Unterzeichnung der gemeinsamen Absichtserklärung wurde eine weitere Schule als DSD Schule in den USA aufgenommen. Im Rahmen eines Schulbesuchs durch Katharina Grüninger als Vertreterin der Deutschen Botschaft in Washington und der Fachberatung Helmut Kehlenbeck unterzeichnete die Schulleiterin Dr. Ann Bonitatibus die gemeinsame Absichtserklärung. Die Thomas Jefferson High School für Science and TechnoVordere Reihe: Katharina Grüninger, Dr. Ann Bonitatibus und logy wurde 2019 als beste öffentliche High School in den Helmut Kehlenbeck. USA ausgezeichnet. Die Schülerinnen und Schüler zeichCopyright: Thomas Jefferson High School nen sich über hohe Kompetenzen im mathematischen und naturwissenschaftlichen Bereich aus. Die High School verfügt außerdem über ein breites Fremdsprachenangebot. Die Aufnahme eines Studiums in Deutschland ist für einen Teil der Schülerinnen und Schüler eine Option. Die Einführung des DSD an der Schule ist ein wichtiger Baustein auf diesem Weg. An der Schule lernen 100 Schülerinnen und Schüler Deutsch. Im Rahmen des German American Partnership Program (GAPP) gibt es einen regelmäßigen Schulaustausch mit einer deutschen Schule. Bericht: Helmut Kehlenbeck, newyork@auslandsschulwesen.de
Sorgt für Gesprächsstoff Das neue Prima aktiv Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Jugendliche von 12 bis 18 Jahren
Das ist ein echter Grund zur Freude: Prima aktiv, der Nachfolger des beliebten Prima plus steht in den Startlöchern! Der bewährte kommunikative Ansatz des Vorgängers wurde um aktivierende, digitale und kooperative Inhalte ergänzt – und bietet so alles, was Sie für einen motivierenden und jugendgerechten Unterricht benötigen. • Weckt Lust auf das Deutschsprechen durch einen hohen kommunikativen Anteil, kooperative Aufgaben, Spiele, Projektarbeiten, Filme und vieles mehr. • Moderne Landeskunde, die Tradition und Moderne verbindet: Kuriositäten und Wissenswertes der DACH-Welt sowie aktuelle Themen, die die Jugendlichen interessieren • Umfangreiches Material: Songs, Audios, Filme, interaktive Übungen, Lesetexte und Spiele für den Unterricht und zuhause in der kostenlosen PagePlayer-App sowie iem Webcode-Portal • Auf dem neuesten methodisch-didaktischen Stand: Setzt die Anforderungen des neuen Begleitbandes zum Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens um und bietet optionale CLIL-Inhalte, die unkompliziert in den Unterricht eingebaut werden können. • Praktischer Helfer für Unterrichtsvorbereitung und -durchführung: Der digitale Unterrichtsmanager Plus inkl. einer Lehrerfassung des E-Books mit Lösungen, neuen Redemitteln und Hinweisen für den Unterricht. • Prüfungsvorbereitung von Anfang an: Ausgewiesene Aufgaben in Kursbüchern und Modelltests in den Arbeitsbüchern bereiten schrittweise auf die Sprachprüfungen (Goethe-Zertifikate und DSD) vor. Seien Sie gespannt: Anfang 2022 geht Prima aktiv mit den Bänden A1.1 und A1.2 an den Start! Haben Sie Fragen zum Lehrwerk? Laure Périsse, unsere International Business Managerin, hilft Ihnen gern weiter unter Laure.Perisse@cornelsen.de
Die Bestandteile des Lehrwerks • Kursbücher und Arbeitsbücher (auch als E-Book) • Kursbücher und interaktive Arbeitsbücher als E-Books auf BlinkLearning.com • LTI-Lizenz für Lernplattformen (LMS) • Kostenlose PagePlayer-App • Digitaler Unterrichtsmanager Plus • Testheft als Download • Handreichungen für den Unterricht als Download • Kostenlose interaktive Übungen
AATG al sion s e f o Pr er Partn
1 e A1. Bänd 1.2 und A nen ei ersch 2022 g n a Anf
Neugierig geworden? Dann entdecken Sie Prima aktiv gleich selbst! Eine Probeeinheit aus dem Kursbuch Prima aktiv A1.1 können Sie sich auf unserer Webseite anschauen und herunterladen!
cornelsen.de/prima-aktiv
American Association of Teachers of German, Inc. 112 Haddontowne Court, #104 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034