Intermediate German I

Student Qualifications

Students enrolling in GER 1003 must be juniors or seniors in high school who have completed two or three years of high school German, or have instructor approval. Qualified ninth- or tenth-grade students may apply if they have instructor approval.

Instructor Qualifications

Instructors apply and are selected by faculty in accordance with the U of M policy governing Academic Appointments with Teaching Functions. Once approved, an instructor is appointed as a Teaching Specialist 9754 (University Job Title and Code) in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Instructor qualifications are determined by the sponsoring University department.

View the Instructor Applicant Handbook for course-specific qualifications and application steps. 

Textbooks

German 1003 and 1004 use course packets created by members of the Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch. Interested teachers can get information by emailing Ginny Steinhagen, faculty coordinator of the CIS German program, at stein093@umn.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all of the texts and readings specified or mandated by the University of Minnesota? If not, what are some of the choices?
German teachers offering U of M courses through College in the Schools use the same materials as their counterparts teaching on the U of M campus. Teachers have choices in the supplementary materials, such as readers, films, and internet exercises.

Do teachers have a choice in assignments? Are there required assignments?
Teachers are required to teach the material, but they have flexibility in how they do this. Individual teachers adjust the syllabus to fit their school’s schedule.

Who creates the exams?
Quizzes, exams, exercises, and classroom activities for each course are posted on a secure website. Teachers are free to modify the materials to fit their teaching styles and program needs.

Is there a training and mentoring system for German teachers new to CIS?
Yes. Experienced instructors help new teachers get accustomed to the system. Teachers frequently email one another with questions and share materials with the whole group. New teachers also benefit from workshops that focus on course content and University processes, as well as an orientation to College in the Schools that will familiarize them with the support available through CIS and prepare them for administrative tasks such as registering students and posting grades.

High school class schedules vary: can a teacher in the block system teach U of M German?
Yes. Although the fast pace is a challenge, several teachers offer German on the block schedule and can provide insight into how to make the course a successful learning experience for the students. All CIS courses have the same minimum number of contact hours as the on-campus sections.

What happens at typical teacher workshops?
Typical activities at CIS workshops include sharing best practices, discussing particular content, pedagogy, or assessment of the University course; reviewing and/or developing student assessment tools; sharing instructional materials; planning field days; receiving updates on CIS program policies and practices.

What happens at typical student field days?
Student field days provide an opportunity for CIS students to meet their peers, practice skills they have learned in class, and explore the Twin Cities campus. The German fall field day includes classroom visits, campus tours, and panel discussions with undergraduate and graduate students majoring in German. A highlight of the German spring field day is the video competition; each CIS class enters one video in the competition and everyone enjoys viewing the winning videos.