Weekly Email for German 101-231 – 31. August 2020

Hartmut Rastalsky Weekly Email Archive

Dear all,
 
Welcome to a unique and challenging semester, in which I hope we can all help each other to learn, thrive, and enjoy German!
 
There are class email lists for all sections of German 101-231. I will send a message roughly once a week. These messages are usually quite long ==> they are divided into sections by general topic, with an outline of “highlights” at the top, so you can skip to what interests you and expand those sections. If you have time, I’d recommend clicking through all of the first couple of messages to get an idea of the various events going on in the department and around town, and the other kinds of info in the email. This is the first such message.
 
Two regular conversation hours, “German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 5-6) and “German Convo Home Edition” (Wednesdays 6-7) will take place weekly as of next week – look for more details in these weekly emails. “German Convo on the Go” will take place in person, outside; weather permitting, the group will go for a walk. “German Convo Home Edition” will take place remotely each week, regardless of the weather conditions on the internet (haha). All students at all levels are welcome to come and chat in German.
 
The “German Lab” is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. You can ask shorter and longer questions, come for conversation practice, help with homework etc. Here is more info about the German Lab – please take advantage of this great resource! Please sign up in advance on the German Lab Signup: instructors will check the signup at the beginning of their German Lab hour, and will leave the lab for that hour if no one has signed up.
 
The German Club works to connect students of all levels with a passion for German language and culture to opportunities for language practice, cultural events, and networking! This semester, its events have been adjusted to allow for fully remote participation, and you are encouraged to come to as many or few as you would like! In addition to virtual Stammtisch (German conversation table), the German Club will offer online game nights where you can win German Club swag, virtual German cook-alongs, tutoring, and more. The German Club will be present at FestiFall on Friday, September 4, 2-6 p.m. You can find German Club contact information here.
 
The application deadline for studying during Winter 2021 in Tübingen is September 15. As the regular Academic Year in Freiburg 2020/2021 program had to be cancelled, you can also participate in a special Winter 2021 term in Freiburg.  The application deadline for this program, which gives regular University of Michigan credits but does not charge regular Michigan tuition, is also September 15.
 
Advisor office hours and contact info: You can reach the German advisors through a general email: germanadvising@umich.edu. We have two advisors. They are available for advising hours this week and throughout the semester:
Their office hours are always included in the full text of these weekly emails, which you can find online:  scroll down to the section “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German.” You can schedule appointments with Mary and Kalli here.
 
Duolingo and HelloTalk: These two free apps are an ideal supplement to what you’ll be learning in class (and a great idea for AMDs, if you’re in 101, 102 or 221/231). Duolingo is an intentionally and permanently free app with the explicit goal of making language learning fun and addictive. HelloTalk is a free app for finding conversation partners around the world and at home. Click on the link for more info about Duolingo and HelloTalk.
 
Here is the list of German dept. classes offered in Spring/Summer/Fall 2020, including the instruction mode (courses listed twice at the same time are meeting in a hybrid in-person/remote format). Please note that even if you already know your plans for German language classes, the list also includes a wide variety of interesting courses in English. If you have questions please contact our advisors, Mary and Kalli. Mary and Kalli will continue to be available for virtual meetings. You may also be able to schedule virtual meetings with our Peer Advisors. See also the “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German” section below.
 
Other highlights from this week’s email, and what section to check for more details:
  • Conversation Opportunities – Conversation Hours, German Lab
  • Virtual International Summer Internships and Funding for them – Study Abroad/Internships/Scholarship Info
  • Study Abroad, Internships, Scholarship Deadlines – Study Abroad/Internships/Scholarship Info
  • Advising Info – German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German
  • Conversation Partner Options – Miscellaneous
  • International Center Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list – Miscellaneous
  • Student Resources for Learning Remotely; Virtual BlueCorps office hours for students – Miscellaneous
  • Study Advice: “Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID” – Miscellaneous
  • Finding German Films and Series Online – Miscellaneous

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

Winter 2021 Term in Freiburg (Tuesday, September 15; Application Deadline)
 
Winter 2021 Term in Tübingen (Tuesday, September 15; Application Deadline)
 
Fund for Education Abroad: Winter 2021 Scholarships (Wednesday, September 16; 12 p.m., Application Deadline)
 
#GermanyInMyFuture: 2020 Annual DAAD Photo Contest (Monday, September 7; 5 p.m., Application Deadline)

Conversation Hours, German Lab

“German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 5-6) and “German Convo Home Edition” (Wednesdays 6-7) will begin next week. More details:

  • “German Convo on the Go” will take place in person, outdoors, Tuesdays from 5-6, meet at the Bell Tower facing the League between 5-5:10 and then, weather permitting, we’ll head out from there for a chat and stroll. Email Mary Gell at magell@umich.edu if you are late and need to find the group.
  • “German Convo Home Edition” will take place remotely each week, regardless of the weather conditions on the internet (haha). Here is the Zoom link.
  • All students at all levels are welcome to come and chat in German at both meetings!

LRC Conversation Partner Site

Go to this page to sign up or find a conversation partner. Please notify the LRC if you notice problems (e.g. outdated records etc.). Don’t be shy: the more people sign up, the better the site will work!

Ann Arbor Stammtisch

  • We assume Stammtisch is on hiatus for now. Please let us know if you have information about virtual meetings of the Stammtisch, so we can include it here!
  • A German Stammtisch meets once a week, usually on Thursdays at 8:00 pm at Grizzly Peak or another bar near Main Street. Join the email list to stay up-to-date on where and when the group will meet.
  • There’s also a facebook page: look for “German Table / Stammtisch”
  • Alternatively, contact Mechthild Heerde-Olind at heerdeolind@yahoo.com for the current location and for more information.
  • This is NOT something you can do to make up an absence, but you can still go for fun and/or write about it for an AMD.

German Club

The German Club works to connect students of all levels with a passion for German language and culture to opportunities for language practice, cultural events, and networking! This semester, its events have been adjusted to allow for fully remote participation, and you are encouraged to come to as many or few as you would like! In addition to virtual Stammtisch (German conversation table), the German Club will offer online game nights where you can win German Club swag, virtual German cook-alongs, tutoring, and more. The German Club will be present at FestiFall on Friday, September 4, 2-6 p.m. You can find German Club contact information here.

Email germaneboard@umich.edu to get put on the email list, or “like” the club on Facebook at facebook.com/germanclubumich for updates!

German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German

Faculty Advisors Mary Rodena-Krasan & Kalli Federhofer

Contact our two faculty advisors, Mary or Kalli, for advice on study abroad, internships abroad, a German major/minor, upper-level German courses, career opportunities in German, study-abroad and work-abroad opportunities, etc.

    • Mary and Kalli will advise you remotely. Email them or see the info below to find out whether/when they are available to advise you in Spring/Summer.
    • Mary Rodena-Krasan (mkrasan@umich.edu):
      • Mary’s available office hours this week:
        Monday, August 31: 1:15-4:45 p.m.,
        Tuesday, September 1: 2:45-4:45 p.m.,
        Wednesday, September 2: 1:15-4:45 p.m.,
        Thursday, September 3: 1:15-4:45 p.m.,
        and by appointment
        Mary’s Zoom Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/756895194
    • Karl-Georg Federhofer (kallimz@umich.edu):
      • Kalli’s available office hours this week:
        Monday, August 31: 10-11 a.m., 1:30-6, 8-10 p.m.,
        Tuesday, September 1: 8-2 p.m., 4-6 p.m., 8-10 p.m.,
        Wednesday, September 2: 10-11 a.m., 1:30-6, 8-10 p.m.,
        Thursday, September 3: 1:30-3:30 p.m., 8-10 p.m.,
        Friday, September 4: 9-11 a.m., 1:30-6 p.m.,
        Sunday, September 6: 8-10 p.m.,
        and by appointment
        Kalli’s Zoom Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/909147087
    • To reach either advisor: germanadvising@umich.edu
    • You can also schedule appointments with Mary & Kalli by clicking here
    • …and you can contact Kalli via text message (734-277-7341) or via Facebook (Kalli Federhofer)

German Peer Advisors/Mentors

If you would like to get in touch with a peer mentor in our Department, please write to: germanmentors@umich.edu. Their expertise includes:

  • Current classes and potential courses
  • Study abroad, internship, and traveling in Germany
  • Academic requirements (major/minor, LSA language requirement) and combination (engineering, pre-health, etc.)
  • Max Kade House
  • Departmental scholarships/fellowships
  • On- and off-campus German opportunities (German Club, German Day, etc.)
  • Career/job search
  • Getting involved – enhancing your undergraduate experience with the German Department

Study Abroad/Internships/Scholarship Info

German-Related Jobs and Opportunities

This page will only include entries in this category when there is a job/internship etc. aimed at German students at all levels. To see more internship and job opportunities, scroll through Kalli’s blog, addressed to all upper-level German students

UofM German bei Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn und Blogger

There are two German Department facebook groups:

  • “German Advising at University of Michigan” [Read news here!]
    • Join this group to see much of the information you see in this email, as well as other relevant info, in the form of individual announcement posts.
  • “German Program at University of Michigan – Vorwärts Blau!” [Post things here!]
    • You are encouraged to join this group to in order to read and post interesting/fun items related to German language and culture. If you have trouble joining the group or posting something, please email Hartmut!

AND there is a German Department facebook page. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/umichGerman/

You can find weekly updates similar to this email but with lots more content on this blog.

We also encourage you to join us on our LinkedIn site: ‘University of Michigan German Department’

You can also follow us on Twitter: @umichGerman

Miscellaneous

Conversation Partner Options: Various options for finding conversation partners are listed on this page.

Sign up here for the International Center’s Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list. Weekly emails include info on workshops regarding travel and work abroad, conversation groups, cultural info sessions etc. SEHR interessant!

Study Advice: “Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID”

  • If you are looking for ways to structure studying under these new circumstances, here is some great advice for adjusting your study habits. VIELEN Dank to the German Club’s Paul Chamberlain for finding this. It is full of excellent advice. I am a big fan of the “Pomodoro method” for focussed “mono-tasking.”

Student Resources for Learning Remotely; Virtual BlueCorps office hours for students

Finding German Films and Series