“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
German Language & Culture
German opens up a whole new world of interests and possibilities for the student. It offers a mixture of social experiences and opportunities for intellectual engagement in a direct and unfiltered manner combined with an exposure to a rich cultural and artistic heritage for those who have acquired the necessary language skills.
Even though German is not the most prominent foreign language in Canada, it has natural ties to English making the transition to learning a new language easier for students. English has its roots in the Germanic languages. Commonly used English words have a German root (fish and Fisch - same pronunciations; orange and Orange - different pronunciations). This strong resemblance makes German very accessible.
The German economy is among the strongest in the world and ranks first in the European Union providing improved career opportunities in business, law, engineering, science, and healthcare. It is home to numerous international corporations (think Siemens, BMV, Daimler, Volkswagen, etc.) and hosts some of the largest international trade fairs. Berlin is now called the “Silicon Valley” of Europe - a hub for innovative entrepreneurs. Germany has a long history of inventors and innovators. They are committed to research and development and are on the front line of new technologies.
German is the language of choice in the EU besides English. It is the official language in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. English, German, and French are the three official working languages of the EU. It is also a native language of significant portions of populations in Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Poland, and eastern European countries. German is the third most popular foreign language taught worldwide and the second most popular in Japan after English because of the business advantage German brings them. It is a language to be reckoned with.
German is the gateway to a world-class higher education and has an excellent international reputation. It offers postdoctoral studies for international scientists. University entrance costs may only be a registration fee. Tuition is very low (a couple of hundred dollars) or non-existent - even for foreigners. However, being conversant in oral and written German is an important key for successful admission. Many recipients of Nobel Prizes from other nations received their training at German universities.
Learning German is a good investment for your child’s future.
German Language Course
Ambleside Schoolhouse prioritizes verbal language instruction by engaging foreign language instructors and the progressive and integrated use of the target language in the home for launching fluency.
Level 1 is designed for children ages 7-9.
Level 2 will commence the fall of 2022 for children who have graduated from Level 1.
Level 3 and 4 will complete the elementary cycle with The Gouin Series Approach and Goethe Institut London primary curriculum.
Level 5 to Level 9 (Junior High and High School) courses will be announced during Level 4 for advancing students. Parents will be informed of the nature and content of curriculum and textbooks (for formal grammar study) in the spring of Level 4 for applicable students. The advanced courses will continue to emphasize pronunciation with a pure accent and conversational skills. In addition, they will also include various subjects with a more in-depth cultural perspective: German history, geography, and government; science and technology; classical and contemporary artists; recreational and national sports; poetry, literary works, and drama; travel within Germany and EU countries.
All classes will have an average class size of 3-4 students. A parent will participate with their child in the learning of German during Levels 1-3 when foundational skills (speaking, writing, reading) are established. Parents’ active engagement is necessary for the success of language acquisition. A Parent Home Action Plan is devised to support and assist the family in further absorbing the new language at home between Saturday classes in a pleasurable and relaxing way. In addition, a short weekly Zoom meeting (15-20 minutes) on Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. with parents and children (of the same class) will review the previous lesson and answer questions that have arisen during the course of the week.
Ambleside Schoolhouse is accepting students for Level 1 only.
Level 1 classes will be on Saturday mornings.
9:00 - 10:00 Level 1 (4 students/class)
10:30 - 11:30 Level 1 (4 students/class)
Level 2 classes will be on Saturday afternoons beginning the fall of 2022.
1:00 - 2:00 Level 2 (4 students/class)
2:30 - 3:30 Level 2 (4 students/class)
Classes for other levels will be announced in the spring of 2023
A four-day summer German immersion day camp is included in each course tuition for all students in Levels 1-4 where a wider range of activities and experiences will be offered. This will keep children in touch with the German language over the summer break. Times and dates TBA in the spring of 2022.
Other foreign languages being considered for future courses are French, Italian, and Latin.
A chart for AS Progression of Learning A Foreign Language provides a visual display of the Scope and Sequence details.