German 1 for High Schoolers (Part 3 of 4)

Let’s get your child started on an exciting language-learning journey that will…
• prepare your child to meet college entrance requirements
• transform your child into a confident communicator
• open doors for a career in business, engineering, global health, communications, government, the arts…the sky’s the limit!

I know it might be tempting to go with a one-day-a-week class. Simply put: that’s not enough. Smaller-scale classes are great for exploration. But around the age of 13 or 14, it’s time to get serious. 

The German for High Schoolers curriculum will give you peace of mind and your child a rich, substantial learning experience.

+ ENROLL YOUR CHILD in German 1 today to secure a spot for 2025-2026.
+ SEND ME A MESSAGE for extra information, a link to my Sampler Class, and the chance to meet with me one-on-one.

--Jennifer Bjornstad, PhD

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INTERACTIVE LEARNING & CLASSROOM COMMUNITY
This class, designed especially for teen learners, uses a highly interactive approach to language-learning that will keep your child on their toes, learning more and more German each day. My teaching style focuses on getting everyone involved at the level they feel comfortable with, asking for lots of volunteers and giving everyone a chance to participate. Each student gets a lot of daily practice, and they learn quickly.

Class activities include a mix of whole-class discussions, small-group or partner activities, and individual work. A continually changing set of exercises and activities keeps things lively. We use break-out rooms, “whiteboard” presentations, and PowerPoint slides; we do activities from the textbook and activities I have created for the class; we play “Biographical Bingo,” perform role-plays, practice “shopping” for birthday gifts, discuss our favorite (and least favorite!) foods, sing songs, read books, and have great conversations together…auf Deutsch!

PRICING & CLASS VALUE
I know that the cost of this class represents a significant investment in your child’s education. 

The class price includes…
+ high-value, expert instruction, four days a week
+ instructor-created lesson plans, activities, & materials
+ once-a-week Family Letter
+ once-a-quarter individualized Quarterly Report
+ close instructor-parent communication

Teaching on Outschool is my full-time job. I take my work seriously and spend a lot of time thinking about how best to support each learner. I teach just a small number of students per year, so you can be sure your child is getting the personalized attention that builds confidence, honors each student’s unique abilities, and leads to language-learning success.


FAQ
Q: Do you teach the class in GERMAN or in ENGLISH?
A: Both! I use what you might call a “partial immersion” approach. Most of our class time is focused on reading, writing, listening, and speaking—in German. But I believe there is a role for English in the classroom, as well. A targeted use of English can really promote student confidence and increase learning efficiency.

Q: Are you a NATIVE SPEAKER of German?
A: I am what is called a “near-native” speaker of German. I have a BA, MA, and PhD in German and I have spent significant time in Germany, so my language skills are top-notch. As a near-native speaker, I offer students the best of both worlds: not only do I have clear pronunciation, advanced vocabulary, and excellent grammatical accuracy, but I also speak a standardized German that is easy to follow. I excel in adapting my speech to different ability levels.

Q: Does it matter that you are a TRAINED TEACHER?
A: I sure think it does! I have spent my career reading, thinking, and talking about how best to teach German and then putting those ideas into practice in the classroom. I am a member of the AATG (American Association of Teachers of German) and the MLA (Modern Language Association). I have attended and presented at dozens of teacher conferences and have published articles on pedagogical topics. All of this means that I am familiar with best practices and current thinking on effective teaching methods and that I’m able to use this knowledge to help lead your child to success.

Q: We have a SCHEDULING CONFLICT. Can my learner still take the class?
A: Absolutely. Your learner can always catch up on a missed class by watching the class video, posted automatically by Outschool after each class session. If, for example, you have a standing conflict on Tuesdays, your learner can attend in real-time on Mondays, watch the video Tuesday evening, and attend in real-time on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Q: Can we count this class for HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT?
A: Quite possibly. If you are a homeschooling family creating your own transcript, you can list German 1, Parts 1 – 4 as one full high school credit. If you are working with a high school guidance counselor, you can submit the class description, my credentials, and your learner’s exams scores and narrative reports for possible credit from your school.

Q: We missed the beginning of the school year! Is it TOO LATE TO START?
A: I’m often able to accommodate learners with a late start. Message me and let’s see if we can make it work. If, for example, your learner has already done some work with German, they may be able to jump right in.

Q: I don’t think we’ll be able to get the TEXTBOOK by the first day. Is that a problem?
A: No problem. Last-minute enrollments are welcome. I can provide scans of the first few pages until your book arrives.

Q: I have more questions. Can we GET TOGETHER to talk?
A: Yes, please! I love getting together with students and their families to learn about their particular questions, concerns, and needs. Send me a time that works for you, and we can do an Open House session: 
https://outschool.com/classes/german-placement-assessment-open-house-8GBQiwIM?refuid=zBNxOaog.