“If all of college were like this, I would love it and learn so much.”
– Montclair State SPARK Participant
Since Fall 2021, Montclair State University’s German Program has run a SPARK Lab as part of a fast-growing national network of SPARK Labs, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German and the Goethe-Institut.
There are currently over 120 SPARK Labs nationally.
At our SPARK Lab, a team of about 15 student volunteers work in an after-school program in a local school, teaching elementary school children for about 6 weeks per semester, one hour per week.
Our curriculum is always changing, and we have taught enrichment courses on topics such as “Little Einsteins,” “LEGO Medieval Castle Building + Deutsch,” and “KinderUni Deutsch.” Typically, the topic combines STEM topics with language learning, songs, movement games, soccer, yoga, crafts, and other hands-on activities aiming to increase global awareness, multilingual curiosity, and intercultural openness. We also like to celebrate Laternenfest and Fasching!
Students have many responsibilities, including lesson planning, teaching material creation, song performance, technical coordination, photography, team leading, and small-group facilitation.
Most students have at least intermediate proficiency, but some motivated 101 and 102 students are also successful leaders in the program. We are especially fortunate to frequently have our Austrian exchange students join our teaching team.
Click on an image below to enlarge photo.
Students have used their qualifications to:
- Take discounted Goethe-Institut courses
- Participate in national SPARK seminars
- Win prizes such as the Northeastern Conference of Teachers of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) Future Language Educator Scholarship
- Receive scholarships at Middlebury German School
- Gain valuable experience for careers, Fulbright and USTA applications, and graduate school.
Here’s What Our Students Say
As a German beginner, I have not only learned a lot about the language, but have also been able to practice my German speaking. Outside of that, my experience with SPARK has been very fulfilling. Die Kinder lernen über Deutsch und haben viel Spaß!
From an Austrian exchange student: Es war definitiv eine erfrischende Abwechselung mit Kindern zu arbeiten und vor allem zu erleben, wie schnell Kinder neue Inhalte lernen können.
Kids really love it and are learning about multiculturalism through the German language.
As a beginner when it comes to speaking German, the SPARK program was very fun! It was always the best when I would also learn something new with the kids.
Fantastic! As a German 101 student this was a great opportunity to learn certain things right along with the students. Additionally, shadow puppets were a fun and engaging way to learn animals!
Machen Sie mit! To join us or receive more information, contact Dr. Pascale LaFountain.