SPARK for German is the network for the Bildungskooperation Deutsch (Educational Cooperation in German) of the Goethe-Institut USA. SPARK is a joint project of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) and the Goethe-Institut. SPARK stands for Structured Program for the Acquistion of German in the U.S. - Resources and Know-how. The SPARK network supports German teachers and learners nation-wide in all 50 states. SPARK addresses new target audiences and enables early access to learning German. SPARK provides comprehensive professional development for future German teachers and creates space for exchange with decision-makers. Through its programming, the network strengthens German programs, promotes the quality of German teaching, and fosters transatlantic dialogue in classrooms and the community.

The German program at Oregon State University is an official SPARK lab. Interested students enroll in GER 410 Internship (offered via Ecampus and in Corvallis) and are either paired with schools in Albany, Corvallis, and Philomath for in-person teaching, or with schools students find themselves. OSU provides teaching material, pedagogical training and student support during the internship. Students may receive up to 16 credits, depending on the number of hours they teach.

We accept “visiting” students via our Ecampus program who would like to participate in SPARK but are unable to do so at their home institution. For further information on how to register, see https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/admissions/nondegree-students/.

We accept schools interested in offering a short-term experience in German, or an after-school program. SPARK is free of charge for schools.

Contact Dr. Sebastian Heiduschke (Sebastian.heiduschke@oregonstate.edu) for more information.