Versions of popular folktales exist in all languages, illustrate cultural values and human desires, and are continuously reinvented in advertising, literature, media and art. Folklore-based activities allow learners to compare, contrast and analyze their own and German communities, gain insights, and perform, narrate, and interpret figurative language. Hands-on assignments for all proficiency levels range from grammar practice and intercultural analysis to creative writing and can be adapted to any instructional level. In German.
To adequately prepare students for the AP exam, teachers need to start exposing them to the style of the exam at the lower levels. In this session, participants will become familiar with the format of the exam and practice creating lower level assessments that compliment their curriculum and utilize the format of the exam.
In this session, teachers will learn the difference between proficiency and performance assessments and what that means in terms of speaking. Teachers will learn how to help their students bring their level of speaking up to match (or even exceed!) their level of writing at every level of language while still maintaining grammatical and contextual accuracy. Teachers will learn 4-5 different methods they can use and adapt for any and every level of language. Teachers will see examples performed as well as participate in speaking activities so that they will leave knowing exactly how to most effectively incorporate it into their lesson plans and classroom.
My name is Devon Ellis, and I have been teaching German and French at Wellesley High School for the past 12 years. I have been focusing on converting all of my classes over to a proficiency based learning environment, while maintaining high expectations and a rigorous curriculum... Read More →
In this session, participants will get to know energetic songs that have been especially written for learning German as a second language. The subjects are relevant, the verses short and quickly learned, new words are often repeated, and the melodies are catchy. Many studies have shown how important music is to brain development and everyone knows how much children love music. Come learn how to incorporate singing into the German class! In German.
Since Germany is a world leader in technology, students of German have the ideal context for simultaneously gaining language and STEM skills. The presenters will share their experiences in attending STEM / MINT workshops and in organizing week-long STEM / MINT projects in their schools. They will demonstrate how to integrate science, technology and math all in the target language into the German curriculum. Participants will acquire STEM mini-lessons and ideas for larger STEM projects. In German.
This session introduces a variety of Afro-German texts that can be used at different levels of German to teach about this important minority group in Germany. Session participants will get to know poems, short stories, novels, interviews, and other texts which can be included in units on multicultural Germany. Suggestions about the appropriate level for their inclusion will be given. The session concludes with summarizing a teaching unit on Afro-German poetry for intermediate German. In German.
Members meet with officers of our local AATG chapter and the German Cultural Institute of New England to make announcements, discuss upcoming events and strategies for keeping German vibrant in the schools and colleges in Massachusetts, air concerns, and network with colleagues. In addition, non-members are welcome to join us and find out about membership benefits. (Panel Discussion
