Overview

Interested in teaching German?

Wunderbar! Teaching German is a highly rewarding career. Many high schools across Illinois have World Language Departments with German programs. Maybe you experienced one first-hand as a student!

 

The job outlook for candidates is excellent. In fact, many schools in Illinois are actively searching for teachers. Principals contact our program regularly to inquire about soon-to-be graduates in Spanish, German, and French.

  

At EIU, dedicated faculty will mentor you throughout your coursework and licensure exams.

 

Get ready to PASS with excellence!

 

Prepared

Our teacher education program is nationally recognized and accredited by ACTFL/CAEP. You will take German language and culture courses in our program while also taking education courses in the College of Education. Experienced faculty will guide and advise you when preparing for the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Illinois licensure tests.  Our teaching methods follow the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to give you both linguistic and cultural proficiency.

 

Authentic

Our content courses will get you ready! You will be able to engage YOUR future students in exciting and meaningful ways. Master the basics of German grammar and conversation, then move on to advanced classes on culture and literature. Learn about the past and present of a constantly evolving Germany. Practice and polish your German by studying fairy tales, myths and legends. Delve into and discuss popular music, contemporary film, and the latest trends in the EU. Get to know some of Germany’s literary classics and find out more about their famous Dichter und Denker. 

 

And to gain the ultimate authenticity: Study abroad for a semester (or year) at our great partner universities in Würzburg or Lüneburg and immerse yourself in modern Germany.

 

Skilled

Can’t wait to get classroom experience? Get credits, gain confidence and put your passion for teaching to work in a real-world setting. Our candidates teach our after school program in Spanish, French, or German in area elementary schools. You will have your own group of about 10 young learners.  Want to practice your speaking skills? Our dynamic faculty and small classes will make sure that your interpersonal and presentational communication skills grow. Outside of class, practice your speaking at our weekly Stammtisch and German Club events.

 

Work as a German tutor in our lab and practice explaining those adjective endings to beginning German students…

 

Supported

Our faculty are master teachers who are engaged in professional teaching organizations statewide and nationwide, such as AATG, ICTFL and ACTFL. We guide you towards taking the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Illinois licensure tests. We mentor you while you are building your professional record. Participation in the ICTFL conference, EIU Foreign Language week, EIU’s Student Research and Creative Activity Conference, Culture Days, GlobalFest, and tutoring in our language lab will round off your resume. We also help with applications for scholarships to go abroad (such as DAAD). Teacher candidates can also apply for the prestigious Livingston Lord Scholarship and many other scholarships at EIU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Degree: BA

Accreditation: ACTFL/CAEP

Resources

- Degree Plan
- Program Information in EIU Catalog

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