This Samstagsschule program is for youth/teens ages 12 to 16 with all levels of German proficiency. Students will acquire basic communication skills and vocabulary related to everyday life. The emphasis of our Samstagsschule programs for kids is the natural acquisition of language in an interactive, fun, and age-appropriate environment. German learners will build on their skills and deepen their understanding of the German language and Germanic cultures.
Language Requirement(s):
We offer two "level" tracks:
On the first day of Samstagsschule, students will be evaluated (short German discussion with teacher/peers) to get an idea of their German ability. From there (if there are enough participants), we will split the class into the following sections/levels:
1. Learners of German: Little to no exposure to German. Complete beginners and intermediate German learners are welcome!
2. Current Speakers of German: Extensive exposure through an extended stay in a German-speaking country, a German-speaking parent, or attendance of a German immersion school. This is a full immersion program for children who can already understand and communicate in German. For example, TCGIS students, teenage students who go to Central High School and are taking German there, etc.
Spring Semester 2026 Dates:
1.) 01/10/2026
2.) 01/17/2026
3.) 01/24/2026
4.) 01/31/2026
5.) 02/07/2026
6.) 02/14/2026
NO CLASS 02/21/2026 (mid-semester break)
7.) 02/28/2026
8.) 03/07/2026
9.) 03/14/2026
10.) 03/21/2026
11.) 03/28/2026
NO CLASS 04/04/2026 (Spring/Easter break)
12.) 04/11/2026
13.) 04/18/2026
14.) 04/25/2026
**Please Note**
This registration option is only for 2026 Spring Semester (14 meeting dates). If you registered your child for the full year in fall 2025, you do not need to register again.
01/10/2026, 01/17/2026, 01/24/2026, 01/31/2026, 02/07/2026, 02/14/2026, 02/21/2026, 02/28/2026, 03/07/2026, 03/14/2026, 03/21/2026, 03/28/2026, 04/04/2026, 04/11/2026, 04/18/2026, 04/25/2026
Participants must be 11 years and 10 months to 17 years old when the program starts.
Minimum: 6
Maximum: 35
Registration starts on 11/15/2025 and ends on 01/31/2026.
Please contact Germanic American Institute if you have any questions.