Information for Middle School Students

Why take German at Cherry Hill East?

* You can skim the information below, and/or scroll to the bottom for a longer welcome video. -- 

*  You should take the language you want to take, be it German or another language - colleges and employers want to see young people who are enthusiastic about their own interests and curious about the world outside of their hometown.  If you are enthusiastic about German, it's so much more likely that you will end up proficient (i.e.: you'll be able to show off that you can communicate in the language!)

*  You'll know that you will have Herr Graff all four years; there is no question of different expectations from different teachers from year to year.

*  You can take part in our Exchange with Gymnasium Puchheim, our partner school just outside of Munich.  As well, Herr Graff is pursuing relationships with other schools, so eventually (hopefully sooner rather than later), we might have an exchange each year! (In the past, students who hosted German students in the fall have travelled in the following summer to complete the exchange.  Note: the travel portion does not fall under the rubric of a district-supported event.)  The combination of fun&educational travel, comradery with fellow CHE students, and the bonds you make with your host sibling and host family: these are unique and precious experiences.  See: https://sites.google.com/view/german-with-herr-graff/exchange-program

*  You can participate in competitions and field trips that bring German language and culture to life.  See: https://twitter.com/CHEast_German/status/1375922556444803073/photo/1 ; in the past, Herr Graff has organized field trips to United Nations and other destinations in New York City, to the local German restaurant Sebastian's Schnitzelhaus, and to the Philadelphia Winter Market.

* There is a National German Exam for levels 1-4, and students who score 90% and above on the national percentile get the opportunity to interview for a free, expenses-paid summer homestay, school-experience and travel trip in Germany.  In 2017 and 2020, respectively, students from Cherry Hill East won the South Jersey nomination for this trip.  Matty Liebman, alumnus of Beck, spent the summer of 2017 in Germany.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented Thomas Ji, alumnus of Rosa, from being able to do the same.

*  If you stay in the program and really engage in class, there is a great chance of you being able to earn the Seal of Bilteracy for German on your diploma when you graduate.

*  "But I am doing well in Spanish already..." -- Then keep going!  And add German (or whatever other language you want to add.)  I am a little biased as the German teacher, of course, but the earlier you start with German, the more chances you have to gain proficiency.  Mandarin Chinese and German also make an excellent combination!

* Specifically: if you are interested in pursuing Engineering or any STEM fields, German is an obvious first or second choice for a learning another language, as many jobs can in these field are with Germany-based companies.  Many colleges and universities have STEM-concentration within their German majors and minors, as well.

SEE BELOW FOR A SOMEWHAT LONG (-WINDED?) (or perhaps just: very detailed) WELCOME VIDEO WITH REASONS TO TAKE GERMAN AT EAST