Newsletter articles for Term 4 include ¨Learning German in Berlin: A Teacher’s Experience¨ Written by Jeff Smith, German Teacher, Palmerston North Intermediate School.
¨Power of Languages – Project for Year 8 Students¨ Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
"Stipendien des Goethe-Instituts: Großartige Möglichkeiten für Lernende und Lehrkräfte in Aotearoa" Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Written by Jeff Smith, German Teacher, Palmerston North Intermediate School.
Berlin - Catherdral
Taking part in a scholarship German language course at the Goethe Institute in Berlin has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I felt both excited and motivated to improve my language skills while at the same time, taking on the opportunity to explore and delve into other highlights and experiences.
Our course tutor (Hannes) made us feel welcome from the very start and we (students) got to know each other on the very first day. The course was structured at a good pace and Hannes had a very engaging and interactive teaching style which kept lessons challenging and lively whilst maintaining steady progress in my own (and others) language competence.
One highlight outside of the course, were the visits to two German primary schools, where I had the chance to observe teaching methods and interact with children. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of German education and daily life in the classroom. It was super interesting to see how their lessons were taught. I was even invited on several occasions to present aspects of my own New Zealand school in which I teach. I also was privileged to teach the kids there the well known Māori Te Aroha song.
Commuting to the Goethe Institut language school by underground train (the U-Bahn) was itself a great experience, efficient and easy, giving me a sense of independence and confidence in navigating a foreign city. Each day, I arrived at class feeling energised and revitalised, ready to absorb more of the language learning. Overall, the GI scholarship course was not only academically rewarding but also personally transformative. It expanded my horizons, strengthened my communication skills, and built friendships that will last far into the future. Berlin itself became a classroom without walls, and the experience has left me inspired to continue improving my German so that I can do my very best to provide rich learning experiences for the children in the German language classes at my New Zealand school.
Power of Languages – Project for Year 8 Students
Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Students from Leithfield School
The Power of Languages project travelled across Aotearoa during Terms 3 and 4, offering Year 8 students a welcoming introduction to the value and joy of learning other languages. The project aims to spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students a sense of how languages can shape communication, identity, and future pathways. To date, the initiative has reached around 800 students in schools of different sizes and regions. Each visit follows a simple, student-friendly structure. After a short introduction to the role of languages in our connected world, students move through five interactive stations. At each one, they explore a language commonly taught in New Zealand schools: German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.
The activities are hands-on and accessible. Students match phrases, explore small cultural tasks, or take part in playful vocabulary challenges. The focus is not on learning outcomes or accuracy, but on offering a first, low-pressure experience with new sounds, scripts, and cultural perspectives.
Schools have shared very positive feedback. Teachers note that the format raises the visibility of languages, encourages participation from a wide range of learners, and provides support for their own programmes. Several schools have already started planning follow-up activities such as language weeks or introductory sessions in the featured languages.
The Power of Languages project has been made possible through the support of Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Stipendien des Goethe-Instituts: Großartige Möglichkeiten für Lernende und Lehrkräfte in Aotearoa
Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Das Goethe-Institut Neuseeland öffnet auch 2026 wieder Türen in die Welt des Deutschlernens vor Ort und lädt Schülerinnen, Schüler und Lehrkräfte ein, sich für eine Reihe attraktiver Stipendienprogramme zu bewerben.
Für Jugendliche gibt es gleich mehrere Highlights. Das Goethe-Institut vergibt zwei Stipendien für die Teilnahme an der Internationalen Deutsch-Olympiade (IDO) vom 13 - 22. Juli 2026 in Mannheim. Die IDO 2026 steht unter dem Motto ZusammenWachsen und verbindet Sprache, Begegnung und internationale Zusammenarbeit. Jugendliche aus ungefähr 60 Ländern werden daran teilnehmen.
Weiterhin wird ein Stipendium für einen dreiwöchigen Deutschkurs in Deutschland vergeben. Die ausgewählte Schülerin oder der ausgewählte Schüler besucht einen PASCH-Kursort, trifft Jugendliche aus aller Welt und erlebt interkulturelles Lernen in besonderer Intensität.
Neu hinzu kommt eine Einladung für bis zu 15 Jugendliche aus ganz Neuseeland zu einem Deutsch-Theater-Wochenende in Auckland. Unter der Anleitung einer deutschsprachigen Schauspielerin aus Neuseeland arbeiten die Teilnehmenden kreativ, improvisieren und bringen Sprache auf die Bühne bzw. vor die Kamera. Anreise, Unterkunft, Verpflegung und Workshopteilnahme sind auch hier inklusive.
Auch für Lehrkräfte bietet das Goethe-Institut spannende Möglichkeiten: Mehrere Stipendien für PLD-Kurse und Fortbildungen in Deutschland, von methodisch-didaktischen Seminaren bis hin zu intensiven Sprachkursen. Diese Programme stärken den eigenen Unterricht, fördern Austausch und tragen zur Professionalisierung im Fach Deutsch bei.
Die Bewerbungsfristen variieren je nach Programm zwischen Ende 2025 und Anfang 2026. Es wäre toll, wenn ihr als Lehrkräfte geeignete Jugendliche informieren und zur Bewerbung zu motivieren könnt. Wir freuen uns auch in diesem Jahr wieder über viele Bewerbungen.
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2025 – German - Term 4 Newsletter Articles
Learning German in Berlin: A Teacher’s Experience
Written by Jeff Smith, German Teacher, Palmerston North Intermediate School.
Berlin - Catherdral
Taking part in a scholarship German language course at the Goethe Institute in Berlin has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I felt both excited and motivated to improve my language skills while at the same time, taking on the opportunity to explore and delve into other highlights and experiences.
Our course tutor (Hannes) made us feel welcome from the very start and we (students) got to know each other on the very first day. The course was structured at a good pace and Hannes had a very engaging and interactive teaching style which kept lessons challenging and lively whilst maintaining steady progress in my own (and others) language competence.
One highlight outside of the course, were the visits to two German primary schools, where I had the chance to observe teaching methods and interact with children. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of German education and daily life in the classroom. It was super interesting to see how their lessons were taught. I was even invited on several occasions to present aspects of my own New Zealand school in which I teach. I also was privileged to teach the kids there the well known Māori Te Aroha song.
Commuting to the Goethe Institut language school by underground train (the U-Bahn) was itself a great experience, efficient and easy, giving me a sense of independence and confidence in navigating a foreign city. Each day, I arrived at class feeling energised and revitalised, ready to absorb more of the language learning. Overall, the GI scholarship course was not only academically rewarding but also personally transformative. It expanded my horizons, strengthened my communication skills, and built friendships that will last far into the future. Berlin itself became a classroom without walls, and the experience has left me inspired to continue improving my German so that I can do my very best to provide rich learning experiences for the children in the German language classes at my New Zealand school.
Power of Languages – Project for Year 8 Students
Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Students from Leithfield School
The Power of Languages project travelled across Aotearoa during Terms 3 and 4, offering Year 8 students a welcoming introduction to the value and joy of learning other languages. The project aims to spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students a sense of how languages can shape communication, identity, and future pathways. To date, the initiative has reached around 800 students in schools of different sizes and regions. Each visit follows a simple, student-friendly structure. After a short introduction to the role of languages in our connected world, students move through five interactive stations. At each one, they explore a language commonly taught in New Zealand schools: German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.
The activities are hands-on and accessible. Students match phrases, explore small cultural tasks, or take part in playful vocabulary challenges. The focus is not on learning outcomes or accuracy, but on offering a first, low-pressure experience with new sounds, scripts, and cultural perspectives.
Schools have shared very positive feedback. Teachers note that the format raises the visibility of languages, encourages participation from a wide range of learners, and provides support for their own programmes. Several schools have already started planning follow-up activities such as language weeks or introductory sessions in the featured languages.
The Power of Languages project has been made possible through the support of Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Stipendien des Goethe-Instituts: Großartige Möglichkeiten für Lernende und Lehrkräfte in Aotearoa
Written by Beate Weinhardt, German National Language Adviser, Tui Tuia | Learning Circle.
Das Goethe-Institut Neuseeland öffnet auch 2026 wieder Türen in die Welt des Deutschlernens vor Ort und lädt Schülerinnen, Schüler und Lehrkräfte ein, sich für eine Reihe attraktiver Stipendienprogramme zu bewerben.
Für Jugendliche gibt es gleich mehrere Highlights. Das Goethe-Institut vergibt zwei Stipendien für die Teilnahme an der Internationalen Deutsch-Olympiade (IDO) vom 13 - 22. Juli 2026 in Mannheim. Die IDO 2026 steht unter dem Motto ZusammenWachsen und verbindet Sprache, Begegnung und internationale Zusammenarbeit. Jugendliche aus ungefähr 60 Ländern werden daran teilnehmen.
Weiterhin wird ein Stipendium für einen dreiwöchigen Deutschkurs in Deutschland vergeben. Die ausgewählte Schülerin oder der ausgewählte Schüler besucht einen PASCH-Kursort, trifft Jugendliche aus aller Welt und erlebt interkulturelles Lernen in besonderer Intensität.
Neu hinzu kommt eine Einladung für bis zu 15 Jugendliche aus ganz Neuseeland zu einem Deutsch-Theater-Wochenende in Auckland. Unter der Anleitung einer deutschsprachigen Schauspielerin aus Neuseeland arbeiten die Teilnehmenden kreativ, improvisieren und bringen Sprache auf die Bühne bzw. vor die Kamera. Anreise, Unterkunft, Verpflegung und Workshopteilnahme sind auch hier inklusive.
Auch für Lehrkräfte bietet das Goethe-Institut spannende Möglichkeiten: Mehrere Stipendien für PLD-Kurse und Fortbildungen in Deutschland, von methodisch-didaktischen Seminaren bis hin zu intensiven Sprachkursen. Diese Programme stärken den eigenen Unterricht, fördern Austausch und tragen zur Professionalisierung im Fach Deutsch bei.
Die Bewerbungsfristen variieren je nach Programm zwischen Ende 2025 und Anfang 2026. Es wäre toll, wenn ihr als Lehrkräfte geeignete Jugendliche informieren und zur Bewerbung zu motivieren könnt. Wir freuen uns auch in diesem Jahr wieder über viele Bewerbungen.
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