The Importance of Culture in Amplifying Student Language Learning Online
One of the reasons I founded germanschoolonline.com in 2009 was the pedagogical approach that provides language learning through authentic cultural materials. With my German heritage, I value this approach, because it not only helps students learn the language but also gain a better understanding of the richness of the German culture. As principal and lead online German teacher at germanschoolonline.com, I continually look for new ways to leverage my cross-cultural background bridging US and German cultures to spark students’ interests in learning the German language.
Young people will live and work in a globalized, internationally focused world. They need to be equipped to participate and thrive in a society and economy that is increasingly connected to the rest of the world and to take responsibility as global citizens. This can be achieved by developing their: ability to communicate effectively across cultures and boundaries knowledge about the world and our interdependence ability to speak a second or third language. As classrooms change with the evolution of mobile technology, classroom management strategies must adjust to walk the line between keeping students on task and giving students freedom to use their mobile devices for learning. Sixty percent of today’s students will have careers that don’t exist yet, which speaks to the challenge schools face in preparing them for their future. So, what are the skills they will need to be successful? Experts generally agree that the “4 Cs”—communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity—and a strong foundation in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math are the keys to success in a technology-rich, information-based economy.
Why German is the Language of the Future
German is spoken by over 100 million people worldwide. It was the language of the first printed book from Gutenberg as well as the language of such famous people as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Beethoven, and Einstein. Germanonlineschool offers an extensive portfolio of German courses that reinforce listening, speaking reading and writing skills, while exposing students to authentic cultural materials.
Basic A1.1 German
This introductory German course provides a fun, interactive experience for a student’s first exposure to the German language. The content for each week is based on an online course which has 35 Sections Instructions are given in English-German. All work sheets will be provided prior to each class. Although the course focuses principally on vocabulary acquisition, basic grammar , speaking and writing and listening to songs for children. Lessons are about the family, hobbies, school, your city and transportation. Lessons are presented through students engage in language learning in a rewarding, low-stress environment; get comfortable with the sounds and rhythms of German; comprehend about 200 +vocabulary words; begin to read, write easy sentences, a postcard, small letter, speak and listen for meaning in German; recognize distinctive practices and products of Germany. The course is aligned to national standards as set forth by DaF and ZFA through “Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen” successful completion of about 200 lessons provides the foundation and path for continued learning.
Basic A1.2 German
Students continue their language-learning adventure during their second year German . The content for each week is based on a study book to focus on the German Grammatik in the beginning. Instructions are given in English-German. Although the course focuses principally on vocabulary acquisition, basic grammar principles are intuitively grasped through provided work-sheets and material., stories, games, activities, and assessments. Culture lessons are presented through online videos, pictures, covering cultural aspects of major German-speaking areas in such of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.. Students engage in language learning in a rewarding, low-stress environment; get comfortable with the sounds and rhythms of German; expand their listening and reading comprehension with more than 400 vocabulary words; expand their ability to read, write, speak, and listen for meaning in German; and recognize distinctive practices and products of various German-speaking countries. The course is aligned to national standards as set forth by DaF and ZFA through “Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen” successful completion of about 100 lessons provides the foundation and path for continued learning.
Intermediate A2 German
This German course is a highly interactive and engaging introductory course designed for students in Middle School and structured around the four key language skills:: language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Instructions are given only in German. Extensive use of authentic materials along with opportunities to apply language in common situations helps motivate students and build their learning confidence. Through a diverse range of multimedia activities and exercises, students are introduced to vocabulary themes, German grammar concepts and sentence structure. They participate in simple conversations and respond to basic conversational prompts. Students are actively engaged in their own learning throughout the course. Introduction to German-speaking countries, as well as history, food, and literature, heightens cultural awareness and appreciation of the German-speaking world. A2 German utilizes guided learning and explicit instruction as an effective way to acquire language proficiency. The course is aligned to national standards as set forth by DaF and ZFA through “Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen” successful completion of about 200 lessons provides the foundation and path for continued learning.
Advanced A2 / B1 German
This German course is the second level of A2 reaching B1. A highly interactive and engaging course. Instructions are given only in German. It is structured around the four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Extensive use of authentic materials along with opportunities to apply language in a broad range of situations helps motivate students and builds their learning confidence. Through a diverse range of multimedia activities and exercises, students are introduced to new vocabulary themes, grammar concepts and sentence structure. Students learn how to present a topic through multimedia or pin wall .They participate in real-life conversations and respond to conversational prompts. They can describe and introduce, give their own opinion on topics . Students are actively engaged in their own learning through homework assignments. They take frequent assessments and are increasingly aware of individual progress. Introduction to German-speaking countries, as well as history, food, and literature, heightens cultural awareness and appreciation of the German-speaking world. This course is guided learning and explicit instruction as an effective way to acquire language proficiency. The course is aligned to national standards as set forth by DaF and ZFA through “Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen” successful completion of about 400 lessons provides the foundation and path for continued learning.
Advanced B1 / B2 German
This German course is a highly interactive and engaging introductory course designed for students in grades 9-12 and structured around the four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Extensive use of authentic materials along with opportunities to apply language in common situations helps motivate students and build their learning confidence. Through a diverse range of multimedia activities and exercises, students are introduced to vocabulary themes. Students expand their knowledge of key vocabulary topics and grammar concepts. They begin to fully comprehend listening and reading passages while expressing themselves more meaningfully in both writing and speaking. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, with a focus on reading and listening comprehension, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive activities. Students learn how to present a topic through multimedia or pin wall. Students are actively engaged in their own learning through homework assignments . Students understand common vocabulary terms and phrases, use a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in conversations and respond appropriately to conversational prompts. They also analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives of various German-speaking countries, read and listen to news and take frequent assessments where their language progression can be monitored. The course is aligned to national standards as set forth by DaF and ZFA through “Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen” successful completion of about 600 lessons provides the foundation and path for continued learning.
High Advanced C1 / C2 German
Students can understand virtually everything with ease, express themselves very fluently and spontaneously and differentiates finer shades of meaning even when commenting on more complex issues.
Students can recognize implicit meaning and express themselves fluently and spontaneously. They can comment on complex subjects, using organizational patterns and cohesive devices.
This course is on College or business level. Extensive use of authentic materials along with opportunities to apply language in common situations helps motivate students and build their learning confidence. Through a diverse range of multimedia activities and exercises, students are introduced to vocabulary themes. Students expand their knowledge of key vocabulary topics and grammar concepts. Magazines will be read and discussed as well as news and movies. Students can choose between an economic course or technical and engineering course. These courses are on business level.
Get help for your Advanced Placement / AP course
This German course allow students to expand their cognitive, analytical and communicative skills, it includes cultural practices, practice exams, grammar explanations and vocabulary review.