Community-Based Heritage Language Schools (CBHL)
Languages:
German
Independent non-profit school
German School of Connecticut
Stamford/Hartford, Connecticut 06905
Bridging Cultures - German School of Connecticut, a community based heritage language school Institute Background
GSC is the perfect fit for students of all ages (PreK - 12, adults) and all language levels (novice - advanced) offering creative German language instruction, also experiences of the culture and traditions of the German-speaking countries. Students can take the AATG National German examinations, will be prepared for the German AP, or take the German Language Diploma examinations (levels B2-C1) which are language prerequisites for university study in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Saturday Classes are from 9:30am - 12:15pm, 31 weeks per year, summer school available. Adult Online Classes are weeknights.
- Access
- Excellence
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Percentage of types Students
Heritage Language Learners 75%
Multilingual Learners 25%
Learners who speak a language that is linguistically related to the target language %
Learners who speak a language that is culturally (but not linguistically) related to the target language %
Types of language learners are enrolled
- Heritage language learners (second generation or more)
- Recent immigrants
Programs available in your school
- Continuous program from grades Pre-K to 12 (novice to advanced)
How do the programs identified above meet the needs of learners of different ages in your school
HL and L2 learners of all ages and diverse proficiency levels register and attend GSC each year. Experience has shown that classes that more homogeneous are most effective. All classes have less than 15 students and accommodate, as much as possible, students close in age , language ability, interest and learning needs.
What additional activities do you implement at your school to attract and maintain enrollment of students in different groups
Attracting enrollment: GSC uses all types of media, word of mouth, open house evens, the support of German speaking and interested agencies and organizations, the parents.
Maintaining enrollment: Excellent instruction, motivating atmosphere and environment.
Main reasons students attend your school
- To connect with their heritage in a meaningful way
- To gain literacy in the language, in addition to oral communication skills
- To communicate with relatives in the home country
- To learn and use a language that is not offered in high school
- To attend university in the home country
- To earn credits for high school or university studies in the U.S.
- To gain bilingual proficiency for future professional use
How does your school strive to provide incentives for students to enroll in the language programs?
- Community and/or parent outreach
- Financial support
- Credit transfer to K-12 schools
- Community functions (e.g. culture events, clubs, etc.)
- Enrollment is often determined (and paid for) by parents.
Types of instructional formats your school offer
- In-person
How the instructional formats available at your school enable learners from different geographical areas and other distance-related constraints to receive instruction
The school only serves persons who live in driving distance. No school busses are available. Students from the states of NY and MA also attend GSC. Some parents drive up to over 90 minutes or more (one way) to the school. As they wait for the classes to finish, they stay in the cafeteria/library area in the (rented) school location. They get to know each other and routinely assist with administrative tasks or volunteer for Saturday morning activities, do hall-way monitor duty, or other. Parents form friendships that carry over into non-school life which creates cohesion and a positive school environment.
Please describe other ways in which your school excels with respect to this factor.
If interest exists, the school offers online instruction.
What are the main sources of financial support for your school
- Tuition
- Home/heritage country
- Private donations from individuals
- Private donations from businesses
- Fundraising events
Does your school offer financial assistance to students?
Yes
How important is the impact of the financial assistance on student enrollment at your school
1
Which of these common competing commitments faced by the learners most negatively impact student enrollment and/or attendance
Name
After-school activities in the mainstream schoo
Homework and other academic pursuits
Extra-curricular activities (sports, music, hobbies)
Religious obligations
Family obligations
Work
Field name
Attendance
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Enrollment
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
How has your school been able to accommodate your students’ competing commitments so that they can attend your school?
This is a difficult situation and is carefully being handled as needed. GSC regularly reports to parents/students the class content and expects homework to be done (if possible). At times parents pay for (additional) private tutoring.
How has your school been able to accommodate your students’ competing commitments so that they can attend your school?
This is a difficult situation and is carefully being handled as needed. GSC regularly reports to parents/students the class content and expects homework to be done (if possible). At times parents pay for (additional) private tutoring.
Does your school provide information to parents and other stakeholders about essential school information?
Yes
What are the most effective communications methods with parents and stakeholders?
GSC communicates in English and/or German, in-person or virtually, formally or informally to individuals or groups of persons, depending on circumstances or issues.
What aspects of these methods or strategies for reaching out to parents create effective means of sharing information?
Depending on the information to be shared (to school administration, teachers, parents, community, other), all of the different aspects of these methods or strategies mentioned above create effective means of sharing information.
Does your school communicate with the community at large about events and other information?
Yes
Please describe any educational and cultural activities, seasonal events, as well as other programs and opportunities that your school makes available to the community at large.
At times, communication in person, via e-mail or telephone is appropriate.
How do these activities create linkages to your community of students, teachers, stakeholders?
All GSC educational programs are open to the public at large.
Cultural events (religious, seasonal, traditional) are available to the public at large, if appropriate and space, time and interest exists. At times, there is cooperation between GSC and an outside organization (church, club, school), homeland organizations or agencies (embassy, consulates) or stakeholders.
List the percentage of students by age group
PreK-K students 15%
Kindergarten students 15 %
Elementary school students 25 %
Middle school students (grades 6-8) 15 %
High school students (grades 9-12) 10 %
Adults 20 %
Excellence through transparency and accountability
Curriculum and instruction
- Curriculum and instruction that build on the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge that learners bring to the classroom
Outcomes
- A focus on measuring and supporting learning through the strategic use of data on learner performance (including but not limited to standardized U.S. tests and tests from the homeland)
Professional Development
- Recruitment of skilled educators and other personnel
- Provision of ongoing professional development for educators and other personnel
- Regular faculty meetings and opportunities to work in professional clusters
- Facilitation of and support for participation in specialty courses offered by universities, homeland consultants, HL experts, etc., if available
- Facilitation of and support for attendance at professional conferences in the U.S. and/or in the HL country or internationally
Vision, Strategic Planning, and Priorities
- A publicized vision statement, strategic plan, and priorities for serving learners from immigrant, refugee, heritage, as well as other underserved students from outside these communities interested in learning an additional language/languages
Transparency, Accountability, and Outreach
- Professional and consistent engagement with the HL community and the larger community to recruit students and teachers and motivate parents and stakeholders to support and advance the aims of the CBHLS
Institution Information
Year School was Established
1978
Languages taught at your school
German
Average Number of Students
250
Average Number of Teachers
26
Saturday or Sunday Classes
Number of weeks per year: 3
Number of hours per week: 32
Summer Classes
Number of weeks per year:
Number of hours per week: 3