Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to offer Yiddish language courses at all levels in 2026–27, from beginner to advanced. YIDDISH is the language of bagels, the Borscht Belt, and your Bubbie’s best gossip. It’s the ultimate mashup of German, Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic, and a whole lot of chutzpah. Yiddish Language Course Overview GER261H Elementary Yiddish 1 SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Fall 2026Monday 10-12 & Wednesday 10-11TBA Yiddish has got more personality than a deli counter on a Sunday. One word can mean ten different things – just depends on your tone, your eyebrows, and your grandmother’s opinion. In Elementary Yiddish, you’ll learn to read, write, and speak a language once heard from Bialystok to Brooklyn, Lublin to LA – and still spoken around the world today. We’ll explore Yiddish through stories, poetry, music, and real conversation. Along the way, you’ll gain the tools to express yourself in a language that shaped the lives – and humor, heart, and worldview – of Eastern European Jews for nearly a thousand years. GER262H1 Elementary Yiddish 2 SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Winter 2027Monday 10-12 & Wednesday 10-11Caleb Sher GER360H1 Intermediate Yiddish SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Fall 2026Tuesday 11-1 & Thursday 11-12Miriam Borden GER460H Advanced Yiddish SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Winter 2027Tuesday 3-5Anna Shternshis Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be offering a wide range of English-taught topic courses in 2026-27 that are open to all students, with no prerequisites required. English-Taught Topic Courses Overview Fall 2026 GER150HF Introduction to German Culture SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Tuesday 11-1TBA Are you curious about German culture? What comes to your mind when you think of things German? Beer and sausages, high-performance cars, the Black Forest, or a mania for efficiency? This course moves beyond these cultural stereotypes and offers a kaleidoscopic view of German culture in its varied manifestations, be it in the form of cultural artifacts, great works of literature, family histories, or big ideas. We will explore world-shaping ideas and inventions from the Reformation and the Gutenberg Press to Bauhaus and modern industrial design, the connection between the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales and their nation-building efforts, German fantasies about Indigenous North America and the longing for untouched nature, and personal narratives that grapple with the Nazi past and divided Germany. Ideal for students from across the disciplines, the course invites you to think critically about what constitutes German culture while expanding your cross-cultural understanding and global perspective.  GER230H Football and the Making of Modern Germany SectionTimeInstructorLEC0101Thursday ... Read More »

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to offer German language courses at all levels in 2026–27, from beginner to advanced. If you already have prior knowledge of German, please contact german.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca to arrange a placement test in order to be placed into the most appropriate course level. Our courses are open not only to UofT students but also to students from recognized universities worldwide. Visiting students who wish to enrol may apply through the UofT Visiting Student Program. German Language Course Overview GER100Y1/GER101H1 Introduction to German*Enrolment in GER101H1 (Winter 2027) is restricted to students who have been placed into the course through the Placement Test. This introductory German course is for students with no prior knowledge of the language. It is a year course divided into two sections. Based on a communicative and task-based approach, it is designed to develop proficiency in oral and written communication skills while providing students with knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of German-speaking countries. Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of stimulating off- and on-line activities, both during live meetings and on the reliable online platform accompanying the textbook. Topics cover areas such as ... Read More »

Incoming PhD student Eva Scheicher receives the Connaught International Scholarship for her research on education, authority, and power in 20th-century German-language literature. Read More »

German Studies students Annika Rempel and Julien Levit receive UTEA awards to pursue summer research projects on medieval texts, literature, and cultural history under the supervision of Professor Markus Stock. Read More »

Professor John Zilcosky’s article “Wrestling with My Father” has been recognized with the 2025 Best Article Prize from the Journal of Sport History for its innovative interdisciplinary approach. Read More »

The German Studies program is pleased to offer a one-day PA Day Camp for children aged 8–11. This engaging and interactive camp introduces young learners to the German language through games, creative activities, and hands-on learning experiences in a fun and supportive environment. No prior knowledge of German is required. Whether your child is completely new to the language or simply curious about exploring a different culture, this camp provides an enjoyable and stress-free introduction to German. Camp Details Date: November 20, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Location: U of T, St. George CampusCost: $95 + HSTBefore and After Care:Before Care (8:00–9:00 a.m.): $10After Care (3:00–5:00 p.m.): $20Age Group: 8–11 yearsMaximum Number of Participants: 15 Interested in Joining? Families interested in the PA Day Camp are invited to complete the Interest Form. We will contact interested families by email as soon as registration officially opens. Read More »

Professor Enrica Piccardo recently completed a visiting research stay at LMU Munich as the Michael Clyne Research Professor, advancing international collaboration in multilingualism research and language education. Read More »

Professor John Zilcosky has joined Harvard’s Sport and Education Program in Olympia, Greece, opening new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and student participation at the University of Toronto. Read More »

PhD student Max Weber has received an International Ontario Graduate Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement and research on German Romanticism, energy, and environmental thought. Read More »