Deutsches Eck
"German Corner" German Department News
OHS German Department
Check back here for updates on events and to see what we've been up to lately.
Email: jmd3@oregonsd.net
Location: Oregon High School, North Perry Parkway, Oregon, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 835-4340
Der Deutschlehrer
I am Jeff Dyer, the German teacher at Oregon High School. I have taught here since 2004. I am the advisor for German Club and Delta Epsilon Phi as well as the German Exchange Coordinator. I also serve as Global Education Program Co-coordinator and have served as World Language Department Chair and Equity Team member.
I am active in the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) serving as the Wisconsin Chapter Past President, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) serving on the executive board. I have been honored to receive the Recognition of Merit from WAFLT and the Outstanding GAPP Coordinator Award from the AATG / Goethe-Institut.
I hold degrees in German Education and Music Education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I began my teaching career as a vocal/general music teacher and transitioned to teaching German upon moving to Oregon. I have worked with students from age 5 to 95. In the summers, I am the Director at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Theater in the Woods during their annual AirVenture fly-in convention.
A resident of Oregon, I enjoy singing with the Madison Symphony Chorus, traveling, and spending time with my family.
OPPORTUNITIES IN OHS GERMAN
German Club
Delta Epsilon Phi
Student Eligibility: To be eligible for induction, students must have completed three semesters of German with a 3.6 grade point average in German and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Individual chapters may set additional eligibility requirements.
OHS German Exchange
The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) supports school partnerships and exchanges between high schools in the U.S. and secondary schools in Germany. In Germany, as well as in the U.S., students live with their host family and participate in school activities.
OHS has been partnered with Dreieichschule (Three Oaks School) since 1990. When not experiencing a global pandemic, OHS allows students completing German 2 the opportunity to live in and experience Germany for approximately 3 1/2 weeks. OHS students will stay with host families in the summer and travel to various regions of Germany in even years. German students from our partner school in Langen will visit OHS as well.
The plan for reuniting with our partner school, DSL, is below:
Fall 2023 - DSL Trip to Oregon
Summer 2024 - OHS Trip to Langen
Details for the summer trip will be announced soon!
UPCOMING GERMAN DEPARTMENT NEWS AND EVENTS
RECENT GERMAN DEPARTMENT EVENTS
2023 German Department Awards
The German Department has several awards it confers upon students including, but not limited to, the following:
- OHS German Department Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Excellence in Language Study Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Honors in Language Study Award
- American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Outstanding Senior in German Award
OHS German Department Award
The 2023 recipient is Sarah Dreher ('22), German VI.
2023 WAFLT Excellence in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Excellence in Language Study Award (Any Level) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated great achievement and progress in language study and who exhibit great potential for further achievement in the language. Students currently enrolled in a world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest in language study both within and beyond the classroom and a desire to continue with the language/plans to use the language.
The 2023 recipient is Erica Briski ('25), German III.
2023 WAFLT Honors in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Honors in Language Study Award (Top Student) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in and commitment to their school’s language programs. Students currently enrolled in the most advanced world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest and ongoing excellence in language study both within and beyond the classroom.
The 2023 recipient is Sarah Dreher ('23), German VI.
2023 AATG Outstanding Senior in German Award
The 2023 recipient is Jacob Worden ('23), German V.
PAST GERMAN DEPARTMENT EVENTS
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place this spring on Tuesday, March 7th (2:30-6:30) and Thursday, March 9th (4:30-8:00). The March 7th date will be online video conferences, while the March 9th date will be traditional in-person conferences.
I can be reached at jmd3@oregonsd.net if you have questions in advance.
WI-AATG Speaking Contest
Each year members of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German may enroll their students in the German Speaking Contest. Students in middle school and high school, Levels I, II, III and IV/V, learn a poem and present the poem in front of a judge or judges. They are evaluated on pronunciation, interpretation, memorization, etc. Then they present an extemporaneous talk or conversation with a partner on a topic they draw. Level III and level IV/V students may alternately retell one of three selected fairy tales in German. All students will complete these activities for class. This is a great way for our students to be recognized for high achievement. OHS German will cover the entry fees. Registration is due March 1st.
German Career Fair
German Embassy 2022 Essay Contest Winner!
- The Brothers Grimm published their first collection of fairy tales 210 years ago. Since then the stories have spread around the world and have been retold countless times.
- 75 years ago Secretary of State George C. Marshall announced a plan for a comprehensive program to rebuild Europe after the devastation of World War II. It became commonly known as the Marshall Plan and was the key to the economic recovery of Europe and unprecedented growth in the postwar years.
- For the past 40 years the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program has focused on strengthening ties between Germany and the United States through citizen diplomacy.
This year's high school winner was OHS German's very own Anna Martin ('22). Her essay on the success of the Marshall Plan after World War II and its lasting effects today received first place nationwide. Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Anna!
Junior Allison Langteau also received an Honorable Mention for her essay on the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales and Stephen Sondheim's musical Into the Woods.
2022 German Department Awards
- OHS German Department Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Excellence in Language Study Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Honors in Language Study Award
- American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Outstanding Senior in German Award
OHS German Department Award
The 2022 recipient is Miller Stang ('22), German V.
2022 WAFLT Excellence in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Excellence in Language Study Award (Any Level) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated great achievement and progress in language study and who exhibit great potential for further achievement in the language. Students currently enrolled in a world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest in language study both within and beyond the classroom and a desire to continue with the language/plans to use the language.
The 2022 recipient is Kallie Hoernemann ('24), German III.
2022 WAFLT Honors in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Honors in Language Study Award (Top Student) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in and commitment to their school’s language programs. Students currently enrolled in the most advanced world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest and ongoing excellence in language study both within and beyond the classroom.
The 2022 recipient is Lily Gebauer ('22), German V.
2022 AATG Outstanding Senior in German Award
The 2022 recipient is Eli Lehmann ('22), German V.
Pathways to Germany: Study and Apprenticeship
THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 9-10:30 a.m.
Young people today have many more options for studying in Germany beyond traditional exchange programs. Those interested in studying in Germany can learn about visa requirements, the application process, health insurance, and other logistics. We will also present pathways such as the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange vocational scholarship and new university programs for non-German speakers. For families with upper middle school to high school students.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. (See link below.)
Meet-a-German by Fulbright Germany
Meet-a-German is part of Fulbright Germany Day, October 6, 2021, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program. Meet-a-German offers American schools the wonderful opportunity to have a native speaker or someone with first-hand experience of German culture join their classroom. It also provides speakers with the chance to contribute to international understanding and to connect with local communities.
This year Meet-a-German events took place online via video conferencing platforms -- it was a great way to utilize digital tools to support cultural exchange.
Will Sanford, a 2015 alumnus of Oregon High School and Fulbright Scholar, lives and teaches English in Leipzig, Germany.
During his time at OHS, he was on the Tennis and Cross Country teams. He was Class President, an Eagle Scout, German Club member and a participant in the German Exchange Program.
He went on to study at the University of Wisconsin - Madison earning a degree in Business and Marketing with a minor in German.
Get more perspective on Will and his Germany experience by reading this August 29, 2019 article in the Oregon Observer entitled, "Returning to Germany: Q&A with Fulbright scholar, OHS Graduate Will Sanford."
He highlighted some of his accomplishments and the importance of getting involved and making connections at school. His most significant exposure to German at OHS was his participation in the 2012 German Exchange when he hosted Nora from our partner school, Dreieichschule, in Langen, Hesse. They remain friends to this day. Will traveled when he was only a freshman. Little did he know that it would affect the trajectory of his life.
He also touched on some important aspects of German culture like German bread, Johann Sebastian Bach, and German Christmas Markets. His first-hand experience and visuals brought the topic to life.
Zuckertüten
Deutsches Brot
Thomaskirche
Christmas Decorations
Will and Mary
2016 German Exchange participant
Christkindlmarkt
Lederhosen with Basti
OHS Exchange Student from Germany
Reuniting with Nora
OHS 2012 German Exchange guest/host
Scheller Family X-mas
2021 German Awards
- OHS German Department Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Excellence in Language Study Award
- Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) Honors in Language Study Award
- American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Outstanding Senior in German Award
OHS German Department Award
The 2021 recipient is Angela Hessler ('21), German V.
2021 WAFLT Excellence in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Excellence in Language Study Award (Any Level) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated great achievement and progress in language study and who exhibit great potential for further achievement in the language. Students currently enrolled in a world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest in language study both within and beyond the classroom and a desire to continue with the language/plans to use the language.
The 2021 recipient is Ben Foffel ('21), German IV.
2021 WAFLT Honors in Language Study Award
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers Honors in Language Study Award (Top Student) may be conferred on students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in and commitment to their school’s language programs. Students currently enrolled in the most advanced world language course offered at their school are eligible. Selection Criteria: Evidence of interest and ongoing excellence in language study both within and beyond the classroom.
The 2021 recipient is Katie Kisely ('21), German V.
2021 AATG Outstanding Senior in German Award
The 2021 recipient is Seth Hakes ('21), German V.
German Embassy 2020 Essay Contest Winner!
The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven's birth. Germany is also known for its many inventors throughout history.
This year's high school winner was OHS German's very own Claire MIchaels ('20). Her essay comparing the influence of Beethoven in his time to American rapper Lil Nas X today put her at the top. Gratuliere, Claire!
UW-Madison German Day 2020: Alles klar!
Edgar Knecht Trio 2019
On his 2010 debut album “Good Morning Lilofee”, Edgar Knecht demonstrated that dusty German folk songs could be brought back to life if interpreted with empathy and passion. It gained his ensemble invitations to some of the most renowned inter- national festivals, playing alongside established stars like John Scofield, Buena Vista Social Club, Pat Metheny and Dave Holland. And wherever they went, they turned both the public and critics into fans.
The Edgar Knecht Trio performed for an audience of OHS music and German students on September 19th and met with advanced German students for some conversation in German afterward. The trio hails from Kassel in Dane County's sister-county of the same name and Wisconsin's sister-state of Hesse. OHS' sister-school is in Langen, also in Hesse.
UW-Madison German Day 2019: 30 Jahre stärker zusammen!
Andreas und Gottfried
Freshman
Hans
Gandolf
Ute
Renate und Andreas
Karneval/Fasching 2019
This year German students engaged in stations to learn about this tradition:
Station 1 - Depp! (The Fool!)
- A German circle game, concentrate or you're out!
Station 2 - Tatsachen über Fasching (Facts about Fasching )
- Students read an article and compete against each other on Kahoot!
- Students play German Pictionary
And, of course, everyone gets a jelly doughnut!
German II makes Leberkäs und Apfelschorle
Apfelschorle is simply sparkling apple juice, which is easy enough to make at home and is very popular in Germany.