German Language Classes for Children and Teens (Fall 2024)

The academic year 2024/2025 for children and youths at the German Institute for the Southwest consists of three Terms:
Fall: August 17 – November 2, 2024 (no classes on Aug 31, Oct 19; Makeup Day Nov 9)
Winter: November 16 – February 8, 2025 (no classes on Nov 30, Dec 21-28, 2025; Makeup Day Feb 15, 2025)
Last day of School in 2024: Dec 14; First Day of School in 2025: Jan 4, 2025
Spring: February 22 – May 17, 2025 (no classes on Mar 8 and 15, Apr 19; Makeup Day May 24)
Additional classes or workshops may be offered during the Summer.

Our Fall Term starts on August 17, 2024, for Saturday In-Person Classes in The Woodlands. There is an ONLINE OPTION on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those students who cannot make it to the in-person class. It is the same registration as in-person classes; you just need to indicate that you wish to participate in the online course. Special classes and workshops also continue online, beginning on August 26, 2024.

Please mark angelika@germansouthwest.org as an accepted and acceptable mail sender address in your email program.

Location. Our in-person classes for children and youths take place at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, 7550 Crownridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX  77382.

Online Classes. All online classes are held via Zoom.  You will need access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone connected to the internet.  If you have not downloaded Zoom, you can do so at zoom.us, or if you are outside the U.S., at the Zoom website for your country.

Click here to register and pay for all child/youth courses

We welcome all children, pre-teens and teens, age of 5 to 16 years, interested in learning and exploring the language and culture of German-speaking countries. We offer classes for students with little or no previous knowledge in German, and intermediate and advanced courses for students able to cope in a German-speaking environment or who speak German at home.All our teachers are native speakers or have comparable skills in German. A particular emphasis is placed on seasonal traditions and special events in German-speaking countries throughout each current school year. German Unity Day, St. Martin’s Day, St. Nikolaus Eve/Weihnachten, Fasching/Karneval, Ostern and Maifest are among the real highlights for our students.

Language Tests. We are affiliated with the Goethe-Institut, the official German cultural organization, and we are licensed to offer and administer the prestigious Goethe language exams, which are recognized world-wide as proof of language skills in German. For more detailed information see: https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/kup/prf/prf.html

Class Locations. Courses are available online or as in-person instruction on our campus in The Woodlands at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, 7550 Crownridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX  77382.  Classes in Cinco Ranch/Katy and Fort Bend County are currently postponed while we search for a suitable location for our school.  Online classes are conducted via Zoom, and you can install a basic, free version of the program at zoom.us or the one available in your country.

Course Materials.  Except as noted, there will be a material fee of $35 for in-person classes, and intermediate and upper level classes will require purchase of books.

Proficiency Levels. Our students often have different levels of experience in the German language.  In order for proper placement of each student, we determine the level of proficiency on the first day of a course, and form the classes accordingly. For a description of our various classes and levels, please check this post on our website.

Age Indication for Classes. We indicate the approximate age level of the students in the class in our course descriptions. However, if your child has a birthday during the Fall through Summer Terms and no longer falls in the age group, the student will remain with the teacher with whom the classes started in the fall.

Tuition Discounts. Returning students receive a discount of ten percent for 10-week classes, and there usually is an early registration discount for each session (see below).

Cancellation. We reserve the right to cancel a course that does not have the requisite number of students enrolled.

2024 FALL YOUTH CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Unlock a World of Opportunities – Learn German – the Language of Innovation and Culture – German Courses for Children, Pre-Teens and Teens – All Levels – Small Classes – Individualized Learning – Registration Below

In-Person – 10-Week Standard German Courses for Children, Pre-Teens, and Teenagers, age 5 – 16 years, Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Aug 17 – Nov 2, 2024, $495 (Winter Term Begins Nov. 16, 2024)

25 Hours of Instruction – fuer Muttersprachler und nicht Deutsch sprechende Kinder – for heritage speakers and learners of German! OR

Online – 10-Week German Standard Classes for Children, Pre-Teens, and Teenagers, age 8 – 15 years, Tue/Thu, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m., Aug 27 – Nov 21, 2024), $495 (Winter Term Begins Dec 3, 2024)

25 Hours of Instruction – For busy students or those unable to attend the in-person classes on Saturdays, we offer equally engaging online classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Participants learn from the same enriching curriculum as the in-person classes from the comfort of your home. To join our online classes, simply indicate your preference during registration.

Discover German through the World’s Most Famous Paintings – 10-Week Online Introductory German Class for Beginning Pre-Teens and Teenagers, age 10-15 years, Mondays, 5:15 – 6:15 p.m., Sep 9 – Nov 11, 2023, $205

Inspired by ten of the most important masterpieces in art history, participants with no prior experience in German learn basic vocabulary and grammar structures in a very creative, multi-sensory and thus very enjoyable way. Encouraging and interactive activities foster their interest in the new language and introduce them to German pronunciation, sound patterns, and equip them with important tools for successful communication in everyday situations.
Course Material:
Students only need to have paper, pencil, crayons, scissors, and glue ready during each session.

Improve Your German with “The Sound of Music” – 10-Week Online German Class for Beginners with Basic Previous Knowledge, age 9-15 years, Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:15 p.m., Sep 11 – Nov 13, 2024, $205

Participants who have already learned basic vocabulary and simple grammar topics of the German language use music and appealing song texts to review and expand their vocabulary and communication skills to the rhythm of the music covering important everyday topics for this age group.
Course Material:
Students only need to have paper, pencil, crayons, scissors, and glue ready during each session.