2024-2025 Events for Utah DLI German Teachers

September 16, 2024: Elementary German DLI Professional Development

@ Utah State Capitol in the Beehive Room of  the East Building. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

September 23, 2024: Secondary German DLI Professional Development

@ Utah State Capitol in the Beehive Room of  the East Building. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

October 2-5, 2024: 9th International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education @ Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City

October 15, 2024: German Bridge Fall Professional Development @ Clearfield High School Library

October 17 - December 2, 2024: AAPPL Testing Window

November 15, 2024: Deutscher Vorlesetag

November 22-24, 2024: ACTFL Convention @ Philadelphia Conference Center in Philadelphia

January 21, 2025: German Bridge Spring Professional Development @ Clearfield High School Library

January 22, 2025: Elementary German DLI Professional Development

@ USBE Basement West Room. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

January 23, 2025: Secondary German DLI Professional Development

@ USBE Basement West Room. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

January 23-25, 2025: SWCOLT Conference @ Gila River Resort & Casino at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ

February 21, 2025: Utah Foreign Language Association (UFLA) Conference @ Utah Tech University in St. George

Welcome Back!

New in 2024-2025

Let's Celebrate! We Received DSD Approval!

The German Language Diploma (DSD) from the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) certifies knowledge of German at schools abroad. It is intended for students who have successfully completed a German language program and a rigorous examination. There are two levels of exams: the DSD I (usually in 8th grade) and the DSD II (usually in 11th grade).  The DSD I of the KMK – level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) – is considered proof of the language skills required for admission to a preparatory college in Germany. The DSD II - level B2/C1 of the CEFRL - is considered proof of the language skills required to study at a German university.

In late July 2024, we received the phenomenal news that our applications with the Zentralstelle fuer das Auslandsschulwesen in Germany were approved. Summit Academy Independence and Tooele Junior High School were approved to  give the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) I exam. Summit Academy High School and Tooele High School were approved to give the DSD II exams. 

The application process is comprehensive, requiring several steps including approval from the German Consulate General Los Angeles. They supported our application unanimously.

There are many advantages of the DSD designation for German programs. They become part of the so-called PASCH network inclduing schools with successful German programs all around the world. There are more than 2000 PASCH-schools in 120 nations with more than 600,000 German students.

Other benefits include:

●Official recognition and plaque from the KMK

●Scholarships for students & alumni and teachers

●Competitions for students

●Professional development for German teachers

●Resources for German teachers

●Financial support

●Opportunities for visiting teachers & interns

●Partnerships with other PASCH-schools worldwide

Congratulations to Summit Academy Independence, Summit Academy High School, Tooele Junior High School, and Tooele High School! We are looking forward to many opportunities for our German students to shine!

New German Curriculum Maps

During the spring 2024 German Professional Development day, German teachers provided input on our grade-level German Language Arts Curriculum Maps. Draft versions are now published on our website. We will continue working on the curriculum maps this year, developing performance assessments for each unit and adding additional resources. The first page of each curriculum map is also meant to be an advocacy piece for stakeholders that want to know what immersion students are learning in their German classrooms. Stay tuned for more and thank you for all your feedback and hard work.

Updated Utah DLI Pie Charts

Please see our Utah German DLI website here for the most updated DLI instructional pie charts. There is a change in the 6th grade pie chart.

German Thematic Read Alouds

We are working on compiling a repository of German children books for interactive read alouds. Currently, there are several hundreds of books on this google spreadsheet. It is a work in progress and we encourage you to submit any great read alouds that you come across and that are not listed yet. Just send Michaela an email and I will add it. You can search the repository by level or theme. The goal for this year is to identify great interactive read alouds that go with our new unit themes to complement our main resource. Send me your suggestions and ideas!

Second Year German Bridge Program

In 2024-2025, German Bridge will be taught for the second time. This school year, GER 3118 is centered all around Germany's capital, Berlin. At Summit Academy High School, Dr. Jeff Packer from UVU and Frau Maria Andrae co-teach the course.  At Tooele High School, the course is taught by Mrs. Claus-Nix from USU and Herr Simeon Walther. Students have to pass the AP German Language and Culture exam with a score of 3 or higher to be eligible to enter the course and earn concurrent enrollment credits. The Utah Bridge Program is unique in the country because it awards 3000 level college credits for $5/credit. It is an amazing opportunity for German DLI students to get a  headstart on their college career and be a few courses shy of earning a minor in German when they actually enter college. In the Bridge Program, we focus on college and career readiness skills like critical thinking, independent learning, and and advanced level of proficiency in the German language.

Articles Worth Reading

How do we prepare ourselves mentally for the upcoming school year? Intentional, planned breaks are not only good for students but also for us teachers. This article has great tips to visualize the upcoming school year and keep calm every day. Click here to read the article.

"Habit stacking" is a way to prepare for the upcoming school year without getting overwhelmed. Click here to read an article with ideas how to mentally prepare for the fast-paced school year and how to stay on top of things once we welcome students into our buildings.

As teachers, we are always learning. There is not status quo in teaching - you adapt and improve or you decline. One important practice is reflection. This article has many great ideas how to incorporate reflective practices into your day. Click here to read the article.

A goal in our upper level DLI classrooms is to increase the complexity and accuracy of language production. This includes asking different kind of questions and expecting more complex answers. Click here for an article on increasing classroom discourse and click here for an article on how to increase the complexity of sentences in  students' language production.

It is a new school year and there are so many new names to learn. Click here to read an article with tips on how to commit students' names to memory. Some ideas sound like fun ideas for the classroom!

Lernmaterialien vom PASCH Netzwerk

Wie viele Leute lernen Deutsch in der Welt? Hier ist eine Erhebung aus Deutschland. 

B2/C1 Text zum Thema Medizinische Forschung in Deutschland. Hier geht es zum Text, Arbeitsblättern und Audiodateien.

Videos und Unterrichtsmaterialien zum Thema "Umwelten" - Umweltschutz in Australien, der Ukraine und Usbekistan. Hier geht es zu den Materialien.

Would You and Your Students Like to Be Featured in the September Newsletter?

Send pictures and blurbs to Michaela at mclaus-nix@utahdli.org by August 30, 2024.

Please share your hard work and the accomplishments of your students so that we can celebrate you!

Contact:

Michaela Claus-Nix, Ed.S.

German DLI Coordinator

Utah State Board of Education

mclaus-nix@utahdli.org