A New German Program For The Youngest Language Learners At German School Campus.

The 2017/18 academic year rings in our first ‘Vorschul-Klasse’ for the 4-6 year olds.

Knowing how important it is for our children to be introduced to a new language as early as possible, we realized the significance of designing a special class for our youngest German language learners. We listened to our parents, and created German School campus’ brand new ‘Voschul-Klasse’ (4-6 years old)!

Learning German at our school right on the Newport Beach Bay has always been an exciting adventure but this year marks the first year, where we make it possible for students to join us at German School campus already at four years of age!

New at German School campus for the academic year 2017/18?

Here is what you need to know: We are expanding our course offering for the upcoming academic school year by adding two new programs:

• Our new German ‘Vorschul-Klasse’ for ages 4-6 will cater to our youngest learners within the preschool to Kindergarten age.
• Our new Advanced Learner Class will prepare for the B2/C1 Exam / DSDII Deutsches Sprachdiplom, a prerequisite for anyone, who would like to take advantage of going to university for free in Germany!

We will continue having our traditional Beginner Class that prepares students for the AATG 1 exam in their first year, and we will have our popular Intermediate Class, which culminates in taking the A2 Exam according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), (The A2 Exam is a necessary step towards the B1, and finally B2 /C1 exams). Our Intermediate class takes also the AATG 2 exam in spring 2018, which can count towards credits for foreign language studies at a high school.

Acquiring an early taste for German at German School campus’ new ‘Vorschul-Klasse’

Countless studies show how beneficial it is for children to start learning a foreign language as early as possible. Not only is learning a foreign language happening more naturally and playfully then, but research demonstrates that language learning has also many cognitive benefits. It enhances critical thinking and problem solving skills, and provides our children with greater mental flexibility and makes them better multi-taskers.

Our ‘Vorschul-Klasse’ program for our youngest learners is taught by Livia Wielath, a gifted educator, who has a BA in Education and a Masters Certification in the Dalcroze-Method for Music & Movement from the Conservatory in Stuttgart. Livia has been teaching young children in Germany and Orange County for the past 27 years. She currently teaches Orff Music classes and also German Language Circles at a school in Laguna Beach.

At German School campus she’ll use her experience with the Dalcroze-Method and teach our 4-6 year olds the German language through songs and rhythm. Children will learn numbers, the days of the week, the calendar, seasons and much more through fun songs and plays. As it is tradition in our school, also our youngest members will learn how to introduce themselves and will be able to hold up a small and simple conversation by the end of the year. You’ll be surprised by their success!

Our engaging teaching method benefits all 4-6 year olds in our ‘Vorschul-Klasse’. While we focus more on the spoken word with our youngest ones in class, we start introducing simple writing and reading in German to our 5-6 year olds. Working on art projects and doing crafts further enhances the German language immersion.

Learning about German Culture by celebrating German Traditions

Throughout the year all classes at German School campus participate in celebrating German traditions and prepare for festivities in an age-appropriate way. Highlights are:

• In November, we have our much loved lantern parade.
• In December, we have several celebrations: Our Saint Nicholas celebration, a Gingerbread House Decorating contest, as well as a Family Christmas celebration, in which our students traditionally present a play and sing German Christmas carols.
• In spring around February we have our Karneval.
• Around Easter in late March or April our kids enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt.
• In the first weeks of summer our Science STEM Summer Camp takes place.

One of our recent post explains more in detail how else we make learning German a fun adventure at German School campus.

Registration for all German Classes has started – Classes will begin August 28th

The new school year is just about to begin and we are already in the middle of planning out all our classes.

Be part of our school and enroll your child at our school today! We look forward to welcoming you and your family!