Weekly Email for German 101-231 – 13. September 2022

Hartmut Rastalsky Weekly Email Archive

Dear all,
 
This week, the Max Kade German Residence starts holding its regular “Deutschtisch” and “Kaffeestunde” in North Quad. Both events allow you to practice your German in an informal manner.
 
The German Club will hold its first weekly “Stammtisch“ on Wednesday, September 14, 7 p.m., Michigan League Underground.
 
Check out the Language Resource Center’s Open House and Movie Night in North Quad this Thursday (9/15) from 3-5 and 5:30-7:30. There will be an Open House from 3-5 pm where you can enjoy conversations, snacks, and games. From 5:30-7:30, there will be a screening of the movie Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, preceded by an introduction about Bhutan by John Beals.
 
If you are looking for a 10-hour/week position while taking courses here, you can apply as a Temporary Program Coordinator at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The application deadline is Monday, September 19.
 
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) has opened its annual photo contest: the top prize is a free return flight to Germany. The application deadline is Monday, October 10.
 
Reminders from prior emails:
 
Two regular conversation hours, “Schokoladenstunde” (Mondays 4-5 in the Language Resource Center) and “German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 6-7) will take place in person weekly. “Schokoladenstunde” will take place Mondays 4-5 p.m. in the Language Resource Center; the group will play games, chat, and enjoy some German chocolate. “German Convo on the Go” will meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell. This event happens ‘rain (or snow) or shine.’ All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.
 
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.
 
In addition, the German Peer Mentors would like to offer additional help, either as a conversation partner or help with grammar, to our beginning language learners. Catharina, who is a native speaker, has reserved Alcove B in the Language Resource Center (in North Quad), Thursdays 4-5pm, every week. Please take advantage of this great opportunity!
 
You have until September 21 to apply to participate in the International Center’s 3-part Intercultural Leadership Seminar. The Intercultural Leadership Seminar (ILS) is designed for international and U.S. students who want to learn how to be more effective in a global environment. ILS includes brief lectures, discussion, experiential activities, and small group work. It consists of the following three sessions:
  • Session 1: Intercultural Competency (October 7; 3:00-5:00PM)
  • Session 2: Intercultural Communication (November 11; 3:00-5:00PM)
  • Session 3: Intercultural Leadership (December 2, 3:00-5:00PM)
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 throughout the semester:
A link to their current office hours will always be 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.

Other highlights from this week’s email, and what section to check for more details:

  • Conversation Opportunities – Conversation Hours, German Lab
  • 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
  • Finding German Films and Series Online – Miscellaneous
  • Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles – Miscellaneous

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

 
German Conversation Opportunities – “German Convo on the Go“ (Tuesday, September 13, 6-7 p.m., Burton Tower) and “Schokoladenstunde“ (Monday, September 19, 4-5 p.m., Language Resource Center, North Quad)
 
Max Kade Events – “Deutschtisch“ (Wednesday, September 14, 6 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall) and “Kaffeestunde“ (Monday, September 19, 4 p.m., North Quad West Lounge – 3rd Floor)
 
German Club – “Stammtisch“ (Wednesday, September 14; 7 p.m., Michigan League Underground)
 
German Peer Mentors – Tutoring for Beginning Language Learners (Thursday, September 15; 4-5 p.m., Language Resource Center, Alcove B, North Quad)
 
Study Abroad in Germany – Tübingen – Winter 2023 (Thursday, September 15; Application Deadline)
 
 
 
German Alum Career Panel 2022 (Thursday, September 22; 3:30 p.m., Virtual)
 
Assistants Needed: Oktoberfest – Zion Lutheran Church (Saturday, October 1; 5-10 p.m., 1501 W Liberty Street)
 
Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship for Studying Abroad (Thursday, October 6; Application Deadline)
 
Seeing Double 2022 – DAAD Annual Photo Contest (Monday, October 10; Application Deadline)
 
CGIS Study Abroad Fair (Tuesday, October 11; 12-4 p.m., Rogel Ballroom, Michigan Union)
 
Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor Fellowship (Saturday, October 15; Application Deadline)

Conversation Hours, German Lab

Two regular conversation hours, “Schokoladenstunde” (Mondays 4-5 in the Language Resource Center) and “German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 6-7) will take place in person weekly. “Schokoladenstunde” will take place Mondays 4-5 p.m. in the Language Resource Center; the group will play games, chat, and enjoy some German chocolate. “German Convo on the Go” will meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell. This event happens ‘rain (or snow) or shine.’ All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.

In addition, all students are welcome to participate in the Max Kade German Residence’s weekly “Deutschtisch” (Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.) and “Kaffeestunde” (Mondays 4-5 p.m.) in North Quad. Both events allow you to practice your German in an informal manner. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending Max Kade events!
 
LRC Conversation Partner Site Check out this site to find a conversation partner, and/or register so others can find you on the site. 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!
 
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.
 
In addition, the German Peer Mentors would like to offer additional help, either as a conversation partner or help with grammar, to our beginning language learners. Catharina, who is a native speaker, has reserved a room in the Language Resource Center (in North Quad): Alcove B, Thursdays 4-5pm, every week beginning this week! Please take advantage of this great opportunity!
 
Ann Arbor Stammtisch
  • 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

Check the “Upcoming Deadlines and Events” section to see upcoming German Club events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending any of these events!
 
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. You are encouraged to come to as many or few events as you would like!

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.

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!

Finding German Films and Series

Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles

A German 101 student has found a Google Chrome extension that allows for subtitles in two languages, and has found this very helpful for watching e.g. “Dark” in German for his AMDs. I have not had time to try this, but if you find the dual language subtitles in the “Easy German” videos helpful, then this may be worth checking out. The extension is called Language Reactor.