Class Descriptions

Each week consists of direct and interactive instruction, singing German songs, reading stories, and learning through play.  Each week we will introduce an exciting new theme.  Students will complete worksheets, and art projects, and view videos that reinforce the week's theme. 

Level 1 and 2 Students  participate in textbook activities and practice reading and conversation. The emphasis is on simple German language and basic conversation topics such as clothing, time, colours, musicians, weather, seasons, days, European authors and more. Special topics may include table etiquette lessons as done in the German speaking lands, writing simple cards or letters, reading elementary German books, doing short reports, and learning songs and poetry.

This course is designed for advanced students who have passed our 4th level, students from the Milwaukee German Immersion School, or those who have had German Language training from other sources.  We integrate all four language domains of reading, listening, speaking and writing for a balanced learning experience.  As we do this, students will continue to progress in their German language learning journey via typical/popular German foods, stories, news, songs, hands-on projects and stories of all genres (short stories, mysteries, magazine and news articles, etc.); anything and everything to make language learning fun!

Students will review basic grammar structures such as nouns, adjectives, verb conjugations, prepositions, etc. and learn about more complex structures such as past tense forms and subordinate clauses. Overall emphasis will be on conversational German and each week students have opportunities to practice speaking the language. Occasional sessions will be combined with other classes for special lessons or feature presentations by guest speakers.

At this age, children are generally beginning to read and write English and have varied exposure to German. They learn language quickly through songs, games, and stories. Classes include a story, learning vocabulary, and a game or activity. At the end of this class, the children will have learned vocabulary and phrases related to various topics, including Alphabet, Numbers, Colors, Shapes, School, Family, House, Clothing, Body, Opposites, Animals, Food, Weather, and Culture.  

Advanced students who have passed our 2nd levelbor those who have had German Language training from other sources. Students share their daily "Tagebuch" or Journal, review homework and have a reading or grammar lesson. We have Special Projects such as creating a German Menu, Family Genealogy, Staatswappen Project (Picking a state in Germany and reporting on it), and writing your own German Fairy Tale. Lessons may also include recognizing German holidays, historical events or online videos.

The learning targets include: learning phrases, vocabulary, verb conjugations, sentence structuring, easy reading for practice and being able to hold a simple, yet meaningful conversation. This instructor also focuses on cultural studies and is very open to student requests. Herr Alex strives to connect with his students and works with the pace of the class. He expects students to work toward the class goals, to participate and to communicate any difficulties they may be having.