Children's Classes: A cultural learning experience for all ages
German Saturday School Houston offers a comprehensive and carefully designed program for students of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. Our School is unique because we offer two immersion tracks:
Classes for native speakers and students with advanced familiarity of German
Beginner classes for students with little or no background in German
This school structure allows us to integrate learning with creative activities appropriate for each age level. It is our goal to provide a wide range of German language opportunities starting at an early age and fostering a lifelong interest of the German language and its culture.
Program for Young Children
Our classes for young children are modeled after kindergarten programs in Germany. Creative play encourages language development and communication skills. School and class festivities introduce the child to the German speaking community.
Spielkreis and Spielgruppe: German language knowledge required
Learning a language is second nature to two and three year olds. Preschoolers may begin the Spielkreisprogram at age 2 ½ and advance to the Spielgruppe class at age 3. We teach our children through a variety of multi-sensory activities: expressive art, music, simple stories, rhythmic games and seasonal themes. Parents are invited to participate in class and get a first- hand lesson on how to teach German to their young child during the week.
Kindergarten: Morning program – previous German required
Our immersion program is taught in German by native German-speaking teachers. Children gain pre-literacy skills, explore topics of the world around them and express themselves artistically and musically. Seasonal themes, songs, and stories all reinforce the child’s progress toward formal education in German. Parent teaching during the week is required.
Vorschule: Morning Program – Previous German required
Our materials are designed to introduce and develop German language skills. At this grade level we emphasize communication. Our communicative approach to the German language and culture entails incorporating songs, poems, rhymes, and many group exercises that encourage creativity and independent learning. We develop pre-literacy skills with the program Sprachexpert and Minilück.
Kinderkreis I/II: Afternoon Program – No previous German required
Children will learn the alphabet, their names, numbers, and some basic counting. The kids will learn to ask questions and practice phonetic exercises that will enhance their listening skills. They will also begin to learn basic writing, and acquire some core verb vocabulary. Learning German songs and customs will continue to be a primary activity at this level.
Elementary: 1st – 5th grades – advanced German required
Our immersion program is taught in German, by native German-speaking teachers. Our students learn to read fluently and to express themselves clearly in both written and spoken German.
The school uses the educational standards of the federal states of Germany for fulfilling the curriculum K-5. Our program Schulexpert, Basis, a certified teaching material for young children, is recommended by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accompanies the students for 5 years. After successful completion of each grade students receive a report card (Zeugnis) that is recognized in Germany.
Elementary: Deutschkreis I and II- Basic German required
Prerequisites for the course: our Kinderkreis program or equivalent. The course will build on and advance the language skills. We continue to develop a basic understanding of German cultures, values, attitudes and traditions of the German-speaking countries. Our teaching materials are designed to introduce and develop German language skills in four areas: speaking, writing, listening, and reading. At this grade level we continue to emphasize communication as well as attention to some basic formal accuracy. They will talso takethe A1 exam.
Middle School: Mittelstufe – Advanced German required
While we still are focusing on grammar and vocabulary expansion, students now are starting to write their own short essays on relevant topics of their choice. Emphasis is toward developing independent writing and communication skills. Students will prepare short presentations and discuss them with their teachers and classmates. These are crucial steps for preparing for the national language exams like the AATG and Deutschexamen A2.
Middle School: Deutsch II – Good Understanding of German
This German course for older elementary and middle school students requires some prior knowledge of the German language. We emphasize comprehension that includes building grammar and conversation skills related to everyday topics such as the family, sports, shopping, daily routines and life in Germany. Multimedia is an important teaching tool for this age group.
Students will prepare for the A1 German Exam.
Middle School for Beginners: No Previous German required
The course will introduce teens to the German language and help to develop a general understanding of the cultures, attitudes and traditions of the German-speaking countries. We provide many opportunities for students to practice realistic German on topics dealing with everyday events. The materials and activities in this course are designed to introduce and develop German language skills in four areas: speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
High School: Oberstufe -Strong Background of German required
We have designed these classes for students with a strong background in German who are interested in improving their skills in order to study or work in Germany. While we are still focusing on grammar, vocabulary, oral presentations and writing skills, the students also explore the culture and history of German-speaking countries and get an insight into the Germany of today. These are important steps for preparing for the Advanced Placement Exam (AP) as well as the final German language exam Sprachdiplom DSD I and II. These prestigious exams are designed by the German Ministry of Education and satisfy the language requirements for entrance at German universities.
High School: Deutsch V – Good Understanding of German
Prerequisite for this course is a good understanding of the German language.
At this level we review and expand the knowledge of the German language structure. The primary emphasis is to extend comprehension, communicative and writing abilities. As an intermediate communication and composition course students will be given many opportunities to improve their conversational skills by speaking and reading about specific topic such as friends, vacation, sport and environment. The students will prepare for the AATG and A2 Exams of the German Sprachdiplom.
High School Beginner: No Previous German required
The course will introduce teens to the German language and help to develop a general understanding of the cultures, attitudes and traditions of the German-speaking countries. We provide many opportunities for students to practice realistic German on topics dealing with everyday events. The materials and activities in this course are designed to introduce and develop German language skills in four areas: speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
Timetables
Saturday classes for German speakers: 8:45 – 11:30 am
Saturday classes for German learners: 12:00 – 2:15 pm
Saturday for young German speaking children:(2.5 to 3.5 years)
Session 1: 8:45 -10:15am, Session 2: 10: 30 – 12pm