• The Tacoma German Language School strives to make the lesson relevant for the students. Classrooms are learner centered, with students learning by active participation.
• Students are taught in the target language
• Lessons are presented in a non-threatening atmosphere to foster learning.
• Students learn about German speaking countries and German culture. A goal for children of Austrian, German and Swiss backgrounds is to enhance an appreciation of their cultural heritage.
• Children are placed in age-based classrooms and will have different language proficiencies.  Since the target language is used for all classroom management, there is always something new for everyone to learn. True beginners are quickly caught up in seeing and doing and because they receive input from their peers, not just the teacher, they frequently progress at an accelerated rate. Currently, the school offers four children’s classes: Hasenstall (Ages 4-5),        Dinosaurierhalle (Ages 6-7), Waschbärenzimmer (Ages 8-10) and Denkmalstube (Ages 11-15).
• The Tacoma German Language School also offers classes for adult students at beginning level, intermediate level and advanced level. High school students attend adult classes. 

Hasenstall (Ages 4-5)

Emphasis on listening and functioning in an immersion classroom setting. Comprehesion of simple spoken German. Basic vocabulary with themes appropriate to the young child and hands on activities presented in the target language.

Dinosaurierhalle (Ages 6-7)

Emphasis on acting out vocabulary and concepts through games and Total Physical Response (TPR). Further development of basic vocabulary and emphasis on spoken sentences.

Waschbärenzimmer (Ages 8-10)

Emphasis on everyday spoken language and enhancement of oral comprehension. Vocabulary development through authentic activities. Students are encouraged to speak in sentences and to ask simple questions. Reading short texts and writing short sentences.

Denkmalstube (Ages 11-15)

Emphasis on speaking and oral comprehension exercises with authentic themes and materials. Further vocabulary development including idios and expressions, with students using language to describe and talk about themselves. The students begin to read short Geran texts and write short sentences. Introductory grammar related to tasks and activities.

Students in the Denkmalstube will have the opportunity to attend the AATG test administered in the month of December. (The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) is the official organization for German teachers in the USA). Every year they offer tests: Level 2 – Level 4. The student’s performance is rated on a national basis. Successful completion of the level 4 test may help students to be placed in a higher level language class in high school.)

Adult I (Beginning Level)

Adult II (Intermediate Level)

Adult III (Advanced Level)

The text “Themen aktuell” is used in all classes to provide continuity and progress in language development. The curriculum is formulated to meet the needs of learners of German with different proficiency levels, motivations and backgrounds. Adult students select the level most appropriate for them in consultation with the faculty and principal. High school students also have the opportunity to attend the AATG test (please see paragraph “Denkmalstube”).