All posts by GERMAN SCHOOL campus

News GERMAN SCHOOL campus, Our Students

German School campus Parent Zoom meeting

Leave a comment

Saturday December 5th, 2020 11:00 am

Topics:

  • German School Academic courses 2021
  • Tests- Exams in Spring 2021 age groups 8/9 to age 18
  • NGA – National German Exam
  • A1 Vergleichsarbeit, A2 Exam
  • DSD I and DSDII
  • AP Accreditation ZfA, PASCH-net, WASC
  • Benefits of German Language
  • upcoming events
  • Questions by Parents

————————————————————————————–

Dear Parents,

Thank you for being here this morning and we do not want to take too much of your time.

My Name is Ursula Schoeneich. I am the founder and Principal of the German school campus. With me is Frau Kerstin Roche and Frau Alexandra Wuerfler.

Once a student is enrolled in school, you become a member of it.
Our core curriculum is in accordance with the CEFR – Common European Framework of References for Languages as a guideline for Learning, Teaching, Assessments.

Its main aim is to provide a method of learning, teaching, and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe and is widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency.

The European Framework Level is on our website. A1 – C1

”How do we teach German.”

https://www.germanschoolcampus.com/european-framework-level-a1-a2/

Our classes are structured in K/1st Grader-, 2nd Grader classes, Heritage speaker classes, Beginners of the German Language, Intermediate and Advanced German, AP German Language and Culture, High Advanced German class.

This gives the opportunity to grow into a Language assessment, get High School credit, receive Certificates, and Honors.

Our yearly curriculum is structured in accordance with the study books. We include special events like the German Reunification, we add short movies, speak about inventions and add Austria, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein as German-speaking countries.

We are a little bit limited with online classes right now rather than having action-oriented lessons with many activities in classroom settings.

We also teach German Culture in which we add to the following events in the calendar year, St.Martin, St. Nikolaus, Christmas, Fasching-Karneval, Easter Eggstravaganza.

I love to give students what they deserve especially when they work so hard in the extra afternoon hours or in between all their other classes, to learn German.

Therefore I founded the German school campus in 2015 and within these 5 years we reached ( I say we reached as there are also the teacher’s Frau Roche and Frau Wuerfler who create wonderful classes).

Tests-Exams in Spring 2021

ZfA A1 age 8 or 9 in March and A2 age 12/13 to 18

NGA age 12/13 to 18 Level 1,2,3,4

ZfA B1/DSD I at least age 14 and C1/DSDII age 16

We come now to the first AATG NGA National German Exam for High School students, in which we participate already with 6th graders Middle School level.

aatg.org/general/custom.asp?page=NGE

We do testing early to reach level 4 one day and to guide the students early enough to a test system. Every student on each level will be prepared.

Out of this membership we hold with AATG students receive certificates medals, honor roll letters, can become members of the Delta Epsilon Phi Honor Society.

We can start as early as Middle School.

It is time to enroll our students for this German Exam by next week the 10th on Level 2, 3, and 4, Exam by End of January.

Level 1 students will be enrolled in January, Exam Mid April.
For all testing, I need parents written acceptance. We let the parents know by email about the upcoming Exams.

Teachers have a Conference about the ZfA testing every year and the Exam days are set by the Ministry of Education in Berlin.

Testing A1 Vergleichsarbeit

Students will be in 3rd grade-9 years old up to 5th grade 11 years old.

It is an official Test we turn in to ZfA Central Agency of Schools Abroad
It is about 10 sentences reading, understanding, and answering questions with right and wrong. Then we read a part and students draw the elements of the story. They write an invitation to for sample a Birthday Party with words given. We have a conversation with all.

Students get really nice certificates with stars.

Mrs. Roche will tell you something about the A2 and DSDI Exam of the ZfA.

I will open the Powerpoint.

We get clear guidelines on what we have to do to cover these Exams. We are all trained in it by ZfA.

I will then take over again at the DSD II of the ZfA, which we were able to compete successfully in the Thanksgiving week.

DSDII PowerPoint

We have the AP German Language and Cultural class where we have the exam on May 5th by the College Board.

All these exams cumulate in the Seal of Biliteracy in which our students will get another great certificate and medal to stand out of the crowd once it comes to employment or university studies. These students earn much more money one day.

What do you the parents expect from a School like the German School campus?

Seeking student programs and contests that can demonstrate a level of quality in terms of its educational value, its operation.

Accreditation ZfA, PASCH-net, WASC

We are accredited by the Central Agency of Schools Abroad ZfA in which all student documents are registered with the Culture and Education Ministry in Berlin.

We are accredited by Pasch net de. In which many institutions work together like the Goethe Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD, and the Pedagogical Exchange Service PAD of the Secretariat of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.

We are WASC accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools and Colleges.

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States, works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. The mission is built upon these beliefs: 1) a school’s goal is successful student learning; 2) each school has a clear purpose and schoolwide learner outcomes; and (3) for ongoing school improvement, each school engages in collaborative self-reflection and analysis to assess progress in achieving its mission, vision, and schoolwide learner outcomes.

We are members of the WDA World Organisation of German Schools abroad. This is our speaking tube to Berlin directly.

Benefits of German Language

Higher pay rate in employment and free university studies in Germany.
Connections to family and friends abroad. We had students who left us as parents got employed overseas.

Upcoming events

Sunday afternoon is the Weihnachtsmarkt in Old World under the CDC guidelines.

We do the Gingerbread house competition, which we do every year as a fundraiser.

Please, visit our Facebook Page. All Infos and news are posted. There are always extra quizzes or new vocabulary to learn.

Now your questions ……………………

News GERMAN SCHOOL campus, Our Teacher

German School campus Parent Zoom meeting Saturday, December 5th, 2020 11:00 am

Leave a comment

Topics:
German School Academic courses 2021

  • Tests- Exams in Spring 2021 age groups 8/9 to age 18
  • NGA – National German Exam
  • A1 Vergleichsarbeit, A2 Exam
  • DSD I and DSD II
  • AP Accreditation ZfA, PASCH-net, WASC
  • Benefits of German Language
  • upcoming events

    Questions by Parents.
    ____________________________________
    Dear Parents,
    Thank you for being here this morning and we do not want to take too much of your time.
    My Name is Ursula Schoeneich. I am the founder and Principal of the German school campus. With me is Frau Kerstin Roche and Frau Alexandra Wuerfler.
    Once a student is enrolled in school, you become a member of it.
    Our core curriculum is in accordance with the CEFR – Common European Framework of References for Languages as a guideline for Learning, Teaching, Assessments.
    Its main aim is to provide a method of learning, teaching, and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe and is widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual Language proficiency.
    The European Framework Level is on our website. A1 – C1
    ”How do we teach German.”
    https://www.germanschoolcampus.com/european-framework-level-a1-a2/
    Our classes are structured in K/1st Grader-, 2nd Grader classes, Heritage speaker classes, Beginners of the German Language, Intermediate and Advanced German, AP German Language and Culture, High Advanced German class.
    This gives the opportunity to grow into a Language assessment, get High School credit, receive Certificates and Honors.
    Our yearly curriculum is structured in accordance with the study books. We include special events like the German Reunification, we add short movies, speak about inventions and add Austria, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein as German-speaking countries.
    We are a little bit limited with online classes right now rather than having action-oriented lessons with many activities in classroom settings.
    We also teach German Culture in which we add to the following events in the calendar year, St.Martin, St. Nikolaus, Christmas, Fasching-Karneval, Easter Eggstravaganza.
    I love to give students what they deserve especially when they work so hard in the extra afternoon hours or in between all their other classes, to learn German.
    Therefore I founded the German school campus in 2015 and within these 5 years we reached ( I say we reached as there are also the teacher’s Frau Roche and Frau Wuerfler who create wonderful classes).
    Tests-Exams in Spring 2021
    ZfA A1 age 8 or 9 in March and A2 age 12/13 to 18
    NGA age 12/13 to 18 Level 1,2,3,4
    ZfA B1/DSD I at least age 14 and C1/DSDII age 16.
    We come now to the first AATG NGA National German Exam for High School students, in which we participate already with 6th graders Middle School level.

    We do testing early to reach level 4 one day and to guide the students early enough to a test system. Every student on each level will be prepared.
    Out of this membership we hold with AATG students receive certificates medals, honor roll letters, can become members of the Delta Epsilon Phi Honor Society.
    We can start as early as Middle School.
    It is time to enroll our students for this German Exam by next week the 10th on Level 2, 3, and 4, Exam by End of January.
    Level 1 students will be enrolled in January, Exam Mid April.
    For all testing, I need parents written acceptance. We let the parents know by email about the upcoming Exams.
    Teachers have a Conference about the ZfA testing every year and the Exam days are set by the Ministry of Education in Berlin.
    Testing A1 Vergleichsarbeit
    Students will be in 3rd-grade years old up to 5th grade 11 years old.
    It is an official Test we turn in to ZfA Central Agency of Schools Abroad
    It is about 10 sentences reading, understanding, and answering questions with right and wrong. Then we read a part and students draw the elements of the story. They write an invitation to for sample a Birthday Party with words given. We have a conversation with all.
    Students get really nice certificates with stars.
    Mrs. Roche will tell you something about the A2 and DSDI Exam of the ZfA.
    I will open the Powerpoint.
    We get clear guidelines on what we have to do to cover these Exams. We are all trained in it by ZfA.
    I will then take over again at the DSD II of the ZfA, which we were able to compete successfully in the Thanksgiving week.
    DSDII PowerPoint
    We have the AP German Language and Cultural class where we have the exam on May 5th by the College Board.
    All these exams cumulate in the Seal of Biliteracy in which our students will get another great certificate and medal to stand out of the crowd once it comes to employment or university studies. These students earn much more money one day.
    What do you the parents expect from a School like the German School campus?
    seeking student programs and contests that can demonstrate a level of quality in terms of its educational value, its operation.
    Accreditation ZfA, PASCH-net, WASC
    We are accredited by the Central Agency of Schools Abroad ZfA in which all student documents are registered with the Culture and Education Ministry in Berlin.
    We are accredited by Pasch net de. In which many institutions work together like the Goethe Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD, and the Pedagogical Exchange Service PAD of the Secretariat of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.
    We are WASC accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools and Colleges.
    The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States, works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. The mission is built upon these beliefs: 1) a school’s goal is successful student learning; 2) each school has a clear purpose and schoolwide learner outcomes; and (3) for ongoing school improvement, each school engages in collaborative self-reflection and analysis to assess progress in achieving its mission, vision, and schoolwide learner outcomes.
    We are members of the WDA World Organisation of German Schools abroad. This is our speaking tube to Berlin directly.

Benefits of German Language
Higher pay rate in employment and free university studies in Germany.
Connections to family and friends abroad.We had students who left us as parents got employed overseas.

Upcoming events
Sunday afternoon is the Weihnachtsmarkt in Old World under the CDC guidelines.
We do the Gingerbread house competition, we do every year as fundraiser.

Pls visit our Facebook. All infos and news are posted. There are always extra quizzes or new vocabularies to learn.

Now your questions……………………

Events, Traditionen, Traditionen in Germany, Traditionen in Oesterreich

It’s a Tradition! Christmas Markets are around Germany

Leave a comment

Dated back to 1434 the first Dresdner “Striezelmarkt,” as so called

“Weihnachtsmarkt,” was opened as street market.

These markets are open during the December months in German cities as well as Austria and Switzerland. Traditionally held in the town square, the market has food, drinks, and seasonal items from open-air stalls accompanied by traditional singing. Popular attractions at the markets include the Nativity Scene, Nussknacker (carved nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen, and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread) and Printen.

Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. More regional food specialties include Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of bread with candied fruit and hot Apfelwein (apple cider) come from different areas in Germany.

Pls come with your family and join this year “Weihnachtsmarkt,” in Old World courtyard, at 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA.

Get your Gingerbread House reserved through Eventbrite. Buy Tickets!

Days open on Sunday, December 6th, 13th, and 20th time 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Saturday’s December 12th and 19th time 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Christmas Market OLD WORL flyer

Gingerbread House
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Enjoy one of our most popular school events for all kids and visit the Christmas Market

German School campus will work with children on the famous Gingerbread house Decorating contest on all the market days.

News GERMAN SCHOOL campus

GERMAN SCHOOL CAMPUS WASC ACCREDITED

Leave a comment

Accreditation News – We reached a milestone!

Besides the accreditation by the ZfA ( Central Agency of German School Abroad) on November 2019 and Pasch-net on October 20th, we received on November 3rd, the letter to be accredited by:

533 Airport Blvd, Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010

Ursula Schoeneich, Principal
GERMAN SCHOOL campus Inc

Dear Ursula Schoeneich:

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announces that the Executive Committee of the Accrediting Commission for Schools has approved Initial Accreditation for The German School, Inc, through June 30, 2024…..

We cannot be prouder of it as the “Visiting Summary Report” indicates the Strengths of German School campus:

“The German School campus provided a very throughout the initial visiting report, including supporting evidence. During the initial visit, there was the opportunity for meaningful dialogue with the stakeholders, observations of students engaged in learning, and examinations of additional evidence. The VC found many positive aspects of the program.

GERMAN_SCHOOL_CAMPUS_Newport_Beach_learn_German
  1. The program has a highly qualified teaching staff who are native speakers of German and Spanish.
  2. The Director/CEO is very supportive of her staff, students, and families.
  3. A rigorous German and Spanish curriculum filled with cultural and historical lessons.
  4. Opportunities for students in the German program to take the German National Exam (DSD) and qualify to study in Germany.
  5. Strong partnerships with foreign language associations and the Federal Republic of Germany’s Central Office of Schools Abroad.
  6. Various internship opportunities for all language students.
  7. Many community partnerships in Southern California.
  8. Full Online Platform Google Grant Recipient.
  9. Google Grant Recipient to further ists growth opportunity.”

The purpose of the ACS-WASC Commission is to foster excellence in elementary, secondary, adult, and postsecondary institutions, and supplementary education programs. The Commission encourages school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation and recognizes institutions through granting accreditation to the schools that meet an acceptable level of quality in accordance with the established criteria.
ACS WASC accreditation is important because:

  1. ACS WASC accreditation is recognized worldwide.
  2. Certifies to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning.
  3. Validates the integrity of a school’s program and student transcripts.
  4. Fosters improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning.
  5. Assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program.
  6. Provides a way to manage change through regular assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reassessment.
  7. The University of California requires a school to be accredited in order to establish and maintain an accreditation “a-g” course list.
  8. The United States military application process requires that applicants graduate from an accredited secondary school to qualify as a high school graduate.
  9. College students must matriculate from a high school that is fully accredited by ACS WASC to qualify for Cal Grants from the California Student Aid Commission.
  10. Schools want to assure quality to students, their families, and the public; accreditation status assures that schools meet at least the threshold standards required.
  11. Many public safety organizations require a diploma from an accredited secondary school as a minimum standard for their job application.
  12. Schools use ACS WASC to help them articulate with their partner feeder schools.
  13. Accreditation ensures to employers that graduates have successfully passed the requirements of an accredited institution.
  14. California charter schools must be ACS WASC accredited to apply for charter school building funds.
  15. Private, independent, charter, and parochial schools must be accredited to access California state student teachers.
  16. Accreditation is important to ensure that courses are easily transferred among member institutions.
  17. Some private individuals and institutions look for evidence of accreditation in approving school grants.
  18. Accreditation is an achievement that is used in marketing to prospective families.
  19. Foreign students must be enrolled in an accredited institution in order to be eligible to receive an I-20 U.S. Visa.
  20. The ACS WASC process helps schools increase students’ achievements through the continuous improvement process.

If parents would like to know more about German School campus, Inc and the road to success in foreign language learning and opportunities for their son/daughters,
pls contact: [email protected]

Events, Traditionen

GERMAN SCHOOL campus Martin’s Day

Leave a comment

Event at Old World Huntington Beach

About this Event

GERMANSCHOOLcampus will perform the “St.Martin” story, we’ll sing the songs with the children, participate in arts and crafts, kids will bring their lanterns. We host a drawing contest, for small prizes to win.

GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com

The Lantern Parade will be in the courtyard with a 6-foot distance to each other. We will not miss it and hope to have it all back in a bigger style by next year.

Please reserve your table here, we have only limited places available, first come first server: YES Please I like to reserve a space.

We will celebrate St. Martin’s Day differently this year under the CDC guidelines. Make your reservation to a table at Old World Restaurant in advance. Face masks required.

When:
Wednesday, November 11th, 6 PM
Where:
Old World Restaurant (Outside Courtyard)
7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Cost: Free

Event Produced by GERMANSCHOOLcampus
For more information: 949.285,0829
mailto:[email protected]

Martin’s Day is celebrated the same way as in Germany. The nights before and on the night of Nov. 11. Children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing Martin songs.

News, News GERMAN SCHOOL campus

GERMAN SCHOOL now PASCH Member

Leave a comment

German School campus is now an official partner school in initiative PASCH

We are very proud of it.

Awakening interest and enthusiasm for Germany, motivating young people to learn German, and creating a worldwide network of schools are the goals of the PASCH initiative. PASCH stands for “Schools: Partners for the Future.”

German School campus is now an official partner school in initiative PASCH

PASCH is an initiative of the Federal Foreign Office, in cooperation with the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), the Goethe Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) of the Secretariat of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.

The initiative networks more than 2,000 schools in 120 worldwide counties, where German is a particularly high priority. The PASCH partners advise school administrations, ministries, and schools on the development of German language teaching. Second, experts from the PASCH partners supervise the schools on-site and support the expansion of German lessons. The exchange between international and German PASCH schools is particularly encouraged. The School Partner Exchange contributes to the development of school partnerships.

Our Teacher

MEET A GERMAN

Leave a comment

By Hannah Goerlich sponsored by Fullbright

Dank Fulbright Germany hatte ich die Chance am 06.10. bei Meet-a-German mich mit drei Klassen des German School Campus auszutauschen. Ich hatte eine kleine Präsentation über meine Heimatstadt Heidelberg und meinem jetzigen Studienwohnort Stuttgart vorbereitet, um in diesem Rahmen auch ein bisschen über das deutsche Schul- und Uni-System sprechen zu können.

Ich startete in der A1 Klasse. In einem Deutsch-Englisch-Mix tauschten wir uns aus und ich erfuhr dabei, dass eine der Schülerinnen bereits in Heidelberg gelebt hat – wie schön!

Meet a German Klasse A2.2

Danach ging es direkt weiter in die A2.2 Klasse. Hier hatten sich die Schülerinnen auf unser Treffen vorbereitet und waren mit Deutschland-charakteristischen Accessoires vor der Kamera. Von Lederhose, über Armee-Uniform bis hin zum Bayern-München-Trikot hatten wir die unterschiedlichsten Bilder Deutschlands mit dabei. In der AP/B2 Klasse stellten die Schülerinnen super spannende Fragen, die von „warum deutsche Unis umsonst sind“ bis hin zu „warum in Deutschland die Länden am Sonntag schließen“ gingen. Ich habe von ihnen mal wieder gelernt, dass das was für mich ganz normal scheint, nicht einfach gegeben und für andere besonders ist!

Meet a German Klasse AP

Es war sehr schön zu erfahren, warum die Schülerinnen Deutsch lernen, und sogar von einigen zu hören, dass sie sich vorstellen können später mal in Deutschland zu studieren. Dies hat mir nochmal gezeigt wie vielfältig die deutsch-amerikanischen Verbindungen sind und was für eine großartige Zukunft unsere Freundschaft mit solchen jungen Menschen haben wird! Bei allen Klassen wäre ich gerne noch länger geblieben, um mich mit den Schülerinnen zu unterhalten und mehr über sie zu erfahren. Vielleicht ist das ja bei einem nächsten Treffen möglich, wer weiß, wenn die Situation es zulässt, vielleicht auch in Person.

—————————————————————————————-

Thanks to Fulbright Germany, I had the chance on October 6th with Meet-A-German in three German classes on the German School Campus. I had a little presentation about my hometown Heidelberg and the city I study, Stuttgart. In this context, I would also like to speak a little bit about the German school- , and university system.

I started with the presentation in the A1 class. In a German-English mix, we exchanged ideas found out that one of the students had already lived in Heidelberg – how nice!

Then it went straight to the A2.2 class. Here the students had to rely on our preparation for the meeting and were provided with Germany-specific accessories before camera. From “Lederhosen” to army uniforms to Bayern Munich jerseys we have the most diverse images of Germany with us.

In the AP / B2 class, the students asked really exciting questions, starting with “why German universities are tuition-free ”to“ why are Germany the stores closed on Sunday. I once again learned from them that this what is completely normal for me seems not simply given and is special to others! It was very nice to hear why the students are learning German, and even to hear from some that they can imagine studying in Germany one day. This showed me again how diverse the German-American connections are and what a great future our friendship with such young people has become! #WunderbarTogether

I would have loved to stay longer in all of the classes to talk to the students and entertain and learn more about them. Maybe that will be at the next meeting possible, who knows, if the situation allows, maybe in person.

Meet-a-German-Hannah_pdf-2

German Government, News GERMAN SCHOOL campus

Wanderbus

Leave a comment

Wanderbus by Goethe Institute Washington

We had the opportunity to bring our students on a virtual field trip with the Wanderbus, organised by Goethe Institute Washington. https://www.wanderbus.de/#/

It was an amazing program in which German learning students could explore different activities on the following topics:

  1. Tourplan – maps of Germany and the USA (learn about cities and participating schools)
  2. German – Culture – Soccer, Wurst, Müll (don’t we all admire the German system of garbage separation…)
  3. German Science – DIY experiments with famous german scientists (air pressure, light, materials)
  4. German Games – of course, all language and culture related
  5. German history and politics – historical locations, messages from politicians
  6. Guestbook – students can leave messages for fellow students touring the bus after them

We toured for about 1 h and got then invited to the famous Kahoot game to compete with other German students in High School.

We did not do bad at all and rang 5th place out of 13 .

What an experience, what a fun class for our German learners.

We thank Goethe Institut Washington for this opportunity.

Our Students

essay from german school campus student

Leave a comment

Why German is Important to me

Hunter Ruebsamen – German School Campus – September 5, 2020

A language helps us express our feelings, desires, and queries with the world around us; with the proper use of language, you can touch someone’s heart, help a child grow, describe the mathematical foundations of the universe, or work to make society a better place. We often overlook the importance that language has on our everyday lives. When I began exploring the German language I started as a reluctant learner, but have since come to appreciate its importance and how German will play a significant role in my future. Mastering German not only has personal meaning for me but will also allow me to help others in my home country and across the world.

My family has its origins in the Westerwald region of Germany with my ancestors emigrating to the United States in the late 18th century and I still have family in the region. The German language helps me express emotions and form lasting bonds with both my family in Germany and new people I meet along the way, allowing me to broaden my horizons on a global scale. Communicating with my distant relatives, many of whom are the same age as I am, is an important consideration for me. We have so many things in common, yet we live separate lives across the Atlantic and the German language is the bridge between us.

The rich cultural aspects of the German language also appeal to me on a very personal level. The words, gestures, and tone of a language can portray a broad spectrum of emotion. Since I was a child, I’ve loved and been inspired by classical music. When I hear Für Elise by Beethoven or Mozart’s Requiem, I feel like the composer is speaking to me and am reminded of the powerful role that the German-speaking countries played in classical music. Years ago, I had the fortune of visiting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth house in Salzburg. As I walked the same streets as the great musician and heard the locals communicating in German, I knew I wanted to be fluent in the language.

Germany is often described as the country of poets and thinkers and this is evidenced by the over one-hundred Nobel prizes that have gone to brilliant Germans for accomplishments in physics, medicine, chemistry, literature, and other fields. From Goethe to Einstein, some of the most brilliant minds have spoken German. For most of the 20th century, Germany had more Nobel Prizes in the sciences than any other nation and today the raw output of German scientific research consistently ranks among the world’s best. This idea to be the best in science and technology is the same one that drives me to learn German. My interest in helping people has led me to choose a career path in biotechnology. Ever since losing my grandfather to leukemia, I have wanted to help eradicate diseases such as cancer and this makes the German language very important to me from an academic standpoint. World-renowned universities, such as Humboldt University of Berlin and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin offer degrees that I am interested in pursuing when I complete my High School studies. Exploring these prestigious Universities further reinforced my desire to help others who are suffering.

The German language is very important to me for numerous reasons: Everything from academics to be able to research medicines to help others. As a future scientist, it is important that I am able to effectively explain my findings and communicate them to my peers in their native tongue. Multiple studies have further demonstrated that multilingual speakers enjoy both intellectual and financial benefits and strong language skills in German are an asset that will allow me to promote a lifetime of effective communication. Finally, the German language will help me to become a good global citizen: An individual who not only works for and helps his own country but also helps promote and uplift all of humanity. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” Having German language skills will help me achieve my goal of helping mankind treat terrible diseases such as cancers. By allowing me to study and research on the European continent and thus offer communication with NGOs and nonprofits who share a similar passion for helping those less fortunate.

News GERMAN SCHOOL campus

AATG outstanding award

Leave a comment

Outstanding Senior in German Award

recipients are selected for their excellent academic achievement, exceptional commitment to the study of German, and participation in extracurricular activities related to German.

The student will receive a special certificate and medal acknowledging their award, a press release to distribute to local media; a congratulatory letter will be sent to the principal, and the student’s name will be placed on the AATG Outstanding Senior Honor Roll on the AATG website. Only one student per school may be honored with this award. Available only to students of AATG members.

AATG Award GERMAN SCHOOL campus