This spring, four German high school teachers from the Eugene area got together to collaborate and exchange ideas for teaching German. We had a lot of fun sharing the newest Apps related to German language learning and the culture of the German speaking countries. Germany has welcomed many immigrants in the recent past, which sparked a wave of new materials for German as a second language. Many of these materials can be adapted to our classroom teaching, and they provide a great addition to our textbooks. The textbooks and the curricula we use were another topic we discussed. Many of us are working with old textbooks while eagerly waiting for ODE to approve new, 21 st century materials that will match today’s technology. We shared our experiences of using IPads and Chromebooks, along with Google Classroom. We want to thank the Center for Languages and International Collaboration at Pacific University for sponsoring this event. In the World Language departments at our schools we sometimes get lonely, as the only ones teaching German. Sharing materials that are specific to our language was very helpful and enriching.
Ideas Exchange for Teachers of German in Eugene
1. Media Apps for following German current news
2. Ideas for teaching the topic of immigration: have students share their family stories before they discuss the topic Incorporating grammar structure of the Genitiv: die Familie meiner Mutter.
3. Textbooks being used: Team Deutsch: Textbook; Deutsch Aktuell;
4. App: Gothe Institut und ARD: Ankommen,
5. Green Screen App to produce videos.