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Explore the Taos Area

June 24-July 25, 2008

About the Program

taos valley The Deutsche Sommerschule von New Mexico is located in the Taos Ski Valley, a picturesque village nestled in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of Northern New Mexico. In close proximity to Taos and Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley has the charm of an Alpine village. This secluded and beautiful site allows students to focus on participating fully in a German-speaking environment.

The Deutsche Sommerschule von New Mexico welcomes students of all ages, backgrounds, and interests dedicated to expanding their knowledge of the German language and culture. During the entire 4-1/2 week stay, all participants pledge to speak only German, both inside and outside the classroom. Due to this total immersion approach, students often gain near-native fluency or advance an entire level. While attending the Deutsche Sommerschule, faculty and students live and work in the beautifully renovated Snakedance Condominiums.

class Our broad curriculum consists of undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as workshops on many aspects of German language and culture. Participants can focus on literature, culture, history, politics, or performing arts. Students choose courses appropriate to their level and interest, from third-year language classes to graduate seminars. In addition, we offer a lecture series with changing themes that emulates study at a German university. The 2013 lecture series is on Zwischenräume – Grenzen und Möglichkeiten, and presents current trends in German-speaking countries. Our curriculum is further complemented by evening presentations and lectures by visiting scholars, authors-in-residence, artists-in-residence, and guest lecturers.

Our two-week Teacher Training Seminars are of interest to anybody currently teaching German or preparing for a teaching career in German. They offer hands-on advice to teachers at all levels who want to earn advanced credits, increase their oral proficiency, and enhance their overall teaching efficiency. Teachers may attend the whole session or just the second half of the program from July 10-26, 2013.

volley ball game Extra-curricular activities complement the learning experience at this summer school. Students can hike the Wheeler Peak trail to more than 13,000 feet, explore the beauty of the Rio Grande River, visit Taos Pueblo, stroll through the art galleries, visit the Santa Fe Opera, attend concerts of the internationally acclaimed Taos School of Music, or just play volley ball. While a traditional Frühschoppen marks the transition to the second-half of the program, the end of the program is celebrated with a Talentabend, a fun-filled evening of student skits and performances.

Students may also obtain Language Proficiency Certification. Administered by the Goethe-Institut, these exams satisfy admission requirements of various German universities. Depending on their level, participants can take the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (basic level), the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 (basic intermediate level), the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (intermediate advanced level), or the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (advanced level).

Students can earn a Master of Arts degree in German Studies, within four to five summer sessions, or one to three summer sessions in addition to course work taken on campus. With the approval of the student's graduate unit, a maximum of 50 percent of course work required for a M.A. degree may consist of a combination of applied/transfer credits, but can not include more than six credit hours in non-degree status.

band The German Summer School was founded in 1975 by Peter Pabisch and George F. Peters — with the support of Ernest H. Blake, A. Leslie Wilson, the University of New Mexico, and the Goethe House New York.

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