Kinderwerkstatt (Kinder Workshop)
registration forms: Click here to view and download registration forms
KINDERWERKSTATT (KINDER WORKSHOP)
28 Lessons, a holiday performance and a summer picnic
A German immersion language and cultural program for all ages
Learn German while participating in many different and fun activities such as:
songs, games, stories, crafts, and much more!
dive into german language, traditions, and culture!
Ein Deutsches (Immersion) Sprach- und Kulturprogramm für Kinder und Jugendliche.
Lern die Sprache durch tolle Aktivitäten wie zum Beispiel Lieder, Geschichten, Musik, Spiele, Basteln und mehr!
Tauch in die deutsche Sprache und Kultur ein!
Click here to learn more about the Kinderwerkstatt (informational flyer)
testimonials from parents of kinderwerkstatt students
We were looking for an activity where our daughter could learn German in a fun environment with other kids her age and find new friends that are in a similar situation, growing up with different languages. She loved it from the start and became much more confident with her German skills. The teachers were very good at allowing all the kids to learn at their own pace. I appreciated how they celebrated all the traditional holidays like St.Martin, Nikolaus, Christmas and Carnival with crafts and songs and special activities. We very much enjoyed being part of this group.
— Ulrike Geissinger-Flores 2019/2020.
We're a German/Swiss family and speak English and German at home. We were looking for a German speaking community and a setting in which our 4yo son could learn German through play. We found both through the Kinderwerkstatt and were impressed how fast his interest in German grew and how fast he advanced! Heather and Christiane are wonderful teachers for any age and it was great to meet other German speaking kids and their families. We also enjoy borrowing books from the library and celebrating St. Martin, Christmas and Karneval with German/Austrian/Swiss traditions in the community.
— Family Kramer, 2019/2020.
Why your child will benefit from joining the Kinderwerkstatt:
Since my wife speaks very little German, English is our family language. Despite German being my native tongue and the fact that I speak German with my 5-year old son most of the time, he continues to respond almost exclusively in English. In an attempt to change this, we thought that finding a few German-speaking playmates for him might make him want to speak German more. Having only one parent as the sole source of German is not enough for a child to grow linguistically. As they say " it takes a village", additional people must be involved.
Our search for German speaking playmates led us to the Kinderwerkstatt, which we joined 2 years ago.
Because he was only 4 years old at the time and one of the youngest, the first couple of times at the Kinderwerkstatt were a bit challenging. He had to get used to being in a new environment where everything was in German and to being separated from his parents. He overcame his anxiety quickly and now he really looks forward to attending class every week, where he interacts and socializes with his friends and the teacher, in German.
Last year all of the classes were immersive and fully in German as they are now online. The children learn about German vocabulary and grammar without realizing it because they are so busy hearing German stories, singing German songs and participating in German cultural events. One such event was the St. Martin lantern festival, for which the children made their own lanterns last year. The kids and their families walked in a small procession through the school yard with their lanterns and sang the typical St Martin songs “Laterne, laterne” und “Ich geh mit meiner Laterne”. Afterwards everyone enjoyed soup that the kids had cooked during class and drank hot cider. A good time was had by everyone. This year, we are looking forward to the lantern walk again, although we will follow social distancing rules.
The kids also are listening to "Die Jahresuhr" and "Kling Glöckchen kling" and other German kids' songs. My son likes to sing these songs at home with me. He is learning German the fun way!
Guido Hamacher 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021
My 5 year old tried the Froeschling Class and he loved it. It kept him engaged, he laughed frequently , so obviously the teacher was skilled. My son is hard to please because hi German is pretty good as he speaks it with my husband. This class was on par with other online zoom classes we have done wth the DANK HAUS in Chicago and Goethe Institute in Chicago.
Stef Walsh 2019/2020, 2020/20212019/2020/2021
My 7 year old son Elijah and I lived in Germany for 8 months in 2018 while I was playing professional basketball. Upon returning the the States, I was happy to enroll him in Kinderwerkstatt. The teachers are passionate, patient and supportive of Elijah’s needs. Elijah’s German skills continue to improve. I’m looking forward to next year’s class!
Maya Hood 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021
Die Knirpse: Our tots group is for our youngest students. In this class we will play games, sing songs, learn vocabulary and become familiar with the beginning principles of reading and writing in German. In this class we spend a lot of time learning about special German holidays, festivities and customs.
Die Springfrösche: The leapfrog class is a learning group especially designed for young elementary grade students. This class dives into the concepts of the German language through stories, songs and play, while celebrating German holidays and traditions. .
Mittelstufe: In our Mittelstufe class our students will improve upon the German language skills that they learned in their primary years or from their family, by reading, writing and speaking in the German language. This class is always fun and upbeat. Whether studying for an exam or just wishing to improve your German – this is the class for you.
This year Frau Susanne will be supporting 8th grade students who are working towards their DSD1. She is looking forward to helping her students achieve a high level of proficiency in a motivating and fun environment.) This class will be offered in an online format. In the Kinderwerkstatt DSD1 online class students will be supported using official DSD1 work material. They will be guided to build their vocabulary while reading texts and watchin and listening to German shows and music daily. They will be encouraged to speak about what they read and hear as well as learning how to write in an essay format.
Erwachsene: Our adult class is especially designed to support anyone wishing to learn German in a fun relaxed way. Perhaps you are the only person in your family who does not speak any German, perhaps you would like to be able to help your children with their homework or perhaps you have an opportunity to work in Germany but need to get a beginners knowledge base quickly. This is your class! We start at the beginning and work at a pace that fits the needs and abilities of our students.
OUR TEACHERS:
[Click on teacher’s name for biography]
Die Knirpse – Frau Anna Johnson
Elementary Klassik - Balboa Park - Frau Sabine Starr and Frau Nourhen Haouas
Elementary Klassik Class - Clairmont - Frau Heather Sander-Heinz and Frau Nourhen Haouas
Elementary Klassik Class - Poway - Frau Marion Von Ehrenstein-Smith
Erwachsene - Frau Christiane Koenemund
Film Club - Frau Heather Sander-Heinz
Middle School/Mittelstufe - Frau Nourhen Haouas
OUR CLASSES:
Each class will be full immersion. To maximuize individual attention each class will have between 5-9 students. Each class will comprise 28 lessons and all students are invited to attend our holiday luncheon, St. Martin’s procession and our end of year picnic.
We intend to offer almost all of our classes in-person. Should the health guidelines change and require distance learning, we are prepared to do so.
We will be offering one or more online classes. This means you do not need to live in San Diego or even California, for that matter, to learn German in our small boutique language and culture classes!
HOUSE OF GERMANY - Membership
You are not just joining a language class but you and your family are also becoming members of the esteemed Balboa Park, House of Germany. Your membership with the House of Germany pays for the Kinderwerkstatt insurance and grants you access to the benefits of membership. As a member you will be asked to volunteer once a year in our cottage. We also would invite you to join our Choir, or to drop in to our Kaffeeklatsch, celebrate with us at or spring and winter concert luncheons, and visit our Balboa Park German Lawn Program. We are thrilled to have you join our German community and language class.
kinderwerkstatt photo gallery
