"Research

shows that early learners have a much easier time with the pronunciation

of foreign sounds and with memorization of patterns. This is why I approached

Hood Avenue which houses grades K-2 instead of Fayetteville Intermediate

with grades 3-5," explained Vogt.

This is the

first time that the German program at the high school has attempted to

work with younger students to expose them to the language. German students

participating in the program must have an overall grade point average

of 3.0 and a German average of 3.6. Initially, four classes at the primary

school have agreed to pilot the program this year and teachers report

that it is going exceptionally well.

"The teachers

and children are very pleased. It is fun to go through the halls and hear

the children using the German phrases they have learned such as 'Guten

tag' as opposed to hello," stated Teer. "The children are very

excited when Friday rolls around because they know the German students

are coming. Anything we can do to keep children excited about school is

an absolute plus."

Vogt says the

program has a twofold benefit. Not only does it expose the younger students

to another language and culture, but it also helps to motivate the older

ones and reinforces the learning experience.

"What

you have taught, you know much better. Maybe one or the other of my students

will like the experience so much that he or she may think of a teaching

career, and we desperately need good teachers in foreign language and

in virtually all other fields," said Vogt.

Vogt's students

have to learn by trial and error as to how much material they can cover

in one session and how much repetition is necessary from week to week.

They incorporate songs and teach through games in order to keep the attention

of the younger students.

All lessons

are taught orally so as to not confuse the younger students with two different

spelling and pronunciation systems since foreign language is not part

of their regular curriculum.

"It's

really great working with the second-graders. They're so into the lesson

that it's absolutely amazing. Though by the end you're a little worn out,

the feeling you come out of the room with is worth it," said Elizabeth

Haren about her teaching experiences at Hood.

Vogt says she

hopes that this program is not a one-time experiment and that it will

continue for the remainder of this school year as well as the next.

"We will

be limited by the number of students I have in the German Honor Society

and in the advanced classes but this experience is invaluable for my students

and hopefully also for the students at Hood Avenue," she said.