2025-2026 Events for Utah DLI German Teachers

January 19, 2026: ACTFL Proposal submission deadline

January 23, 2026: German Bridge Fall Workshop at Clearfield High School Library Conference Room

January 29, 2026: Secondary German DLI PD

January 30-31, 2026: AATG Utah Retreat

January 31, 2026: Presentation proposal submission deadline for German Immersion Language Education Conference on May 30-31, 2025

February 5, 2026: Elementary German DLI PD

February 19-21, 2026: SWCOLT Conference in Broomfield, CO

March 5, 2026 @1:00pm: GIST Webinar: Instructional Walls (optional; recording will be available)

March 12, 2026: UFLA @ UVU

April 15, 2026: German Fair at BYU

May 30-31, 2026: German Immersion Language Education Conference (GIEC) in St. Paul, MN

July 11-14, 2026: AATG Conference in Boston

November 20-22, 2026: ACTFL Conference in San Antonio, TX

German Bridge Students Bring

Storytelling to Life

Utah German Bridge students from Summit Academy High School and Tooele High School recently brought storytelling to life by writing and presenting their own original fairy tales to 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade elementary students. Through creative language use, expressive reading, and engaging performances, the Bridge students modeled what it looks like to reach the highest levels of immersion education while still having fun with German. For the younger learners, seeing older immersion students confidently use the language made their own goals feel achievable and exciting. These cross-grade connections inspired curiosity, motivation, and a sense of belonging, encouraging elementary students to continue their German studies and imagine themselves one day standing on the same stage as confident, creative German speakers.

Call for Proposals

German Immersion Language Education Conference, St. Paul, MN

From the desk of Dr. Katrin Erdmann, DaF and Testing Specialist at the Germanic-American Institute, and Kathrin Gillhoff, TCGIS Middle School DaF Koordinatorin at Twin Cities German Immersion School:

Dear German Immersion Language Education Professionals, 

We are pleased to send out the "Call for Proposals" for our second pre-K to 12  "German Immersion Language Education Conference" (GIEC) organized by and to be held at the  Germanic-American Institute in St Paul, MN on May 30-31, 2026.

At this time, we ask you to consider holding a workshop, giving a presentation on best practices, or presenting an academic paper in the field of German immersion education.  We are explicitly including but not limiting it to our pre-K colleagues as well as those who are working on the admin and governance side. The uploading deadline for your contributions is January 31st, 2026. The uploading form can be found here.

The cost for participation in this conference is $150,  with an early bird discount of $30 when registered before January 31st.

Articles Worth Reading

Elementary: Want a joyful, student-centered way to build literacy, language, and community in your classroom? This Edutopia piece highlights story-acting: a two-step routine where young learners dictate their own stories and then act them out with classmates. Teachers scribe student narratives word-for-word, honor each child as an author, and create a simple “stage” where classmates bring the tales to life. The process strengthens oral language skills, boosts confidence, and turns everyday storytelling into powerful curriculum-based play. Story-acting also gives teachers insights into students’ thinking and builds richer connections with families when you share students’ stories home. Click here to get step-by-step instructions on how to implement this method.

Elementary: Struggling to squeeze meaningful math fact practice into your busy day? This Edutopia article shows how math fact fluency isn’t about rote drills and speed alone—it’s about helping students solve facts accurately, efficiently, and flexiblythrough strategic practice and playful routines that fit naturally into your schedule. Games like Fast & Slow Piles, Ball Toss, and Four in a Row turn fluency work into conversation and collaboration, while low-pressure progress monitoring helps students track growth and build confidence. These routines give learners practice with purpose and are easy to weave into morning meetings, small groups, or math workshop transitions—supporting both number sense and deeper learning. Click here to read up on all the ideas.

Elementary: Standardized testing can feel like a high-pressure sprint—but success doesn’t come from last-minute cramming. According to Edutopia, the real key is helping students transfer what they learn every day into the specific thinking the tests demand. That means shifting from “teaching to the test” toward developing test-specific thinking: strategic reasoning, question navigation, and mental stamina to manage complex tasks. Using released items and weaving strategic practice into units gives students familiarity with formats like multi-step, tech-enhanced items while strengthening their content and confidence. When students know what to expect and have practiced the underlying thinking skills, they’re better prepared to show what they truly know—without sacrificing rich instruction. Click here to read the full article and download sample materials.

Secondary: Struggling to get students focused right after the bell? This 60-Second Strategy from Edutopia highlights Board Splash, a quick, low-pressure warm-up that gets learners engaged with content the moment they walk in. Teachers post a prompt on the board, students anonymously add responses, and soon you have a vibrant classwide brainstorm. A brief read-aloud and a turn-and-talk help students connect ideas and get ready for the day’s lesson—all with minimal prep and just a board and markers. It’s an easy way to boost speaking, thinking, and curiosity in any classroom (and a great fit for language learners too!). Click here to watch the video and read the full article.

Secondary: Looking for a low-prep, high-engagement routine that builds student voice, critical thinking, and academic language? Philosophical Chairs gives students structured space to take a stance, listen to peers, and even switch sides as their thinking evolves—all through lively whole-class discussion. This versatile strategy pairs beautifully with any content area: use it as a quick anticipatory set, an exit ticket, or a rich end-of-unit performance task. With clear norms and thoughtful prompts, Philosophical Chairs boosts classroom energy, strengthens evidence-based reasoning, and invites learners to reflect on how and why their ideas change. Click here to read the full article.

Lernmaterialien

Lernmaterialien vom PASCH-Netzwerk

Alle PASCH Materialien im Überblick gibt es hier. Man kann es nach Themenbereich oder Sprachniveau filtern. Eine wunderbare Ressource, wenn man auf der Jagd nach authentischem Material ist.

Das PASCH-Lernmaterial „Coole Mode – das geht auch nachhaltig!“ bietet einen authentischen, jugendnahen Text auf A2-Niveau über nachhaltige Kleidung und Mode aus der Perspektive von Schüler/innen aus verschiedenen Ländern. Die Lernenden erfahren, wie Jugendliche in Spanien, Indien, Deutschland, der Slowakei, Korea, den USA und Chile Second-Hand-Mode, Upcycling, selbstgemachte Kleidung und ökofreundliche Materialien leben und reflektieren, warum nachhaltige Mode wichtig ist – sowohl für die Umwelt als auch für soziale Gerechtigkeit. Das Material eignet sich hervorragend zur Förderung von Leseverständnis, Wortschatz und interkulturellem Austausch und kann mit Bildern und Arbeitsblättern direkt im Unterricht eingesetzt werden. Hier geht's zum Lernmaterial.

Dieses B2/C1-Material lädt Lernende ein, sich mit alternativen Wohnformen auseinanderzusetzen – weg vom klassischen Einfamilienhaus hin zu gemeinschaftlichen, naturnahen und flexiblen Konzepten. Jugendliche lesen und hören authentische Beispiele wie gemeinschaftliches Wohnen auf einem umgebauten Gutshof, die Planung von Baugruppen in der Stadt oder das Leben im Tiny House. Dabei reflektieren sie nicht nur Vorteile und Herausforderungen dieser Wohnmodelle, sondern erweitern auch ihren Wortschatz zu Stadt- und Lebensfragen und üben tiefere Sprachfertigkeiten. Das Material enthält Texte mit Bildern, Wortschatzhilfen, Audios und Arbeitsblätter, ideal für themenorientierten, kommunikativen Unterricht zu Wohnen, Gesellschaft und Zukunft. Hier geht's zum Lernmaterial.

DAAD Updates

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has a website with lots of information for U.S. students that are interested in studying in Germany. The website is in English and German: https://www.study-in-germany.de. Please share with interested students!

Grants and Scholarships

AATG Grants and Scholarships

AATG has multiple grants and scholarships opportunities. Please click here to see them all.

ACTFL Classroom Microgrants

This grant opportunity is available to K-12 language educators in any teaching setting. Up to 100 microgrants of US $300 each will be awarded during the 2025-26 academic year (September 2025 to May 2026). Funds may support projects such as: cultural events or activities, partnerships with community organizations, and initiatives that develop cultural competence or diverse perspectives in language instruction. 

There are three funding cycles:

• August 4 – November 12 (awards announced November 17)

• November 13 – February 4 (awards announced February 9)

• February 5 – April 29 (awards announced May 4)

Applicants must include a clear description of need, purpose, and a detailed budget (the maximum award is $300). Basic classroom supplies (e.g., markers, pencils) are excluded.  Award recipients are required to submit a short promotional video (30-45 seconds) within one week of notification.

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

Send pictures and blurbs to Michaela at mclaus-nix@utahdli.org by January  31, 2026.

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