American Association of Teachers of German

Die Entwicklung von interkultureller Kompetenz im Kontext DaF:
Lernziele, didaktische Ansätze und Evaluierung
July 18 - August 1, 2009, Leipzig
Target Audience: High School and College/University Teachers 

The AATG is pleased to announce funding for a seminar designed to develop knowledge and skills in the teaching of intercultural competence for active high school and college/university faculty to take place at the University of Leipzig from July 18 – August 1, 2009.  This seminar was also offered in 2008.  This program is generously supported by the German government’s Transatlantic Program, through funds from the European Recovery Plan (ERP) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie.

Deadline for application materials via e-mail is February 2, 2009.

This two-week seminar, conducted in German, will focus on the development of goals, teaching models and evaluation in the field of intercultural competence and intercultural understanding.  Themes include: What is intercultural competence? How and why do we engage ourselves with it in DaF instruction? How can intercultural competence and the ability to engage in intercultural communication be taught/transmitted? How can intercultural competence be documented and assessed?

The seminar includes all program costs and materials, and room and breakfast for the two-week program. Also covered are excursions and cultural events, a city tour, and transportation costs in Leipzig. Participants will receive a stipend of $400 toward transportation from the United States to Leipzig. Participants are encouraged to attend the Internationale Tagung der Deutschlehrerinnen und Deutschlehrer, which begins in Jena/Weimar on August 3 (see http://www.idt-2009.de).

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of AATG.
• Demonstrate an interest and previous experience in the teaching of intercultural competence to their students.
• Submit a 200 to 300 word essay in German that explains why you wish to participate in the program and what you expect to get out of this program.
• Proficiency in German, at Advanced Low level or higher, according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, or equivalent – see:  http://www.languagetesting.com/scale.htm
• Submit one letter of recommendation from a current or recent professor of German or someone who is familiar with your interest in intercultural competence and intercultural understanding.
• Participants will be expected to bring along a lesson plan on a intercultural theme based on a text you are using (detailed information will be sent to those selected for this seminar)
• Successful applicants must show that they are fully insured for health, accident, and liability on arrival at the course site.
• Participants will be expected to present a teaching unit or related presentation at a professional meeting based on their experience in the program.
• Participants may obtain 1-3 graduate credits from the University of Arizona. For further details, contact Mary Wildner-Bassett at: wildnerb@u.arizona.edu

Further details and application information will be posted on the AATG Web site at: http://www.aatg.org/content/category/8/28/34/

Selection committees review applications for all seminars with stipends or grants. 

Please send a two-page resume which includes the following information:

• Your name, complete home and work mailing addresses and preferred email address
• Academic degrees and institutions
• AATG membership history
• Current and past teaching positions in the US, at what level(s) and years of experience
• Experience studying, living, working in a German-speaking country
• Your proficiency level in German, according to the ACTFL OPI or equivalent.  See:  http://www.languagetesting.com/scale.htm. Because of the anticipated level of discussions and tasks, participants should be Advanced Low or above, or equivalent.
• Answer the following questions in a 200-300 word essay in German: Why do you wish to participate in this seminar and how will it benefit you professionally? What are the cultural and communicative goals of your teaching?
• Submit a letter of recommendation from someone who knows your work.  In your essay, indicate the name and institution of the person who will submit the letter of recommendation. Please have this letter submitted by February 2, 2009 with the family name of the applicant and “EIKK recommendation” in the subject line to: mercedes@aatg.org.

Submit applications by email (include your family name and “EIKK Application” in the subject line) to: mercedes@aatg.org.  Application deadline:  February 2, 2009