Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto

Undergraduate Student Cynthia Lin spoke with us about her experience with the Canadian Summer School in Germany in the Summer of 2024. Cynthia is a Psychology specialist with a major in Sociology and a minor in Education and Society. She reflects on her experience with the program and shares some noteworthy advice for prospective students.  Good afternoon, Cynthia. Please introduce yourself to the community with your name, programs of study, and the year you participated in CSSG.  My name is Cynthia Lin, and I am currently enrolled in the psychology specialist program, the sociology major and education and society minor.  Please let us know what motivated you to apply to CSSG. I first learned about this program through a UofT newsletter, and Professor John Plews, the CSSG Program Director, came to speak with us about it. I was motivated by my desire to immerse myself in the language experience and environment. I cannot gain the same fluent German language skills and cultural understanding in Canada.  What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining the program? I previously studied GER 100Y1 (Introduction to German) online. Although the course was very interactive, it was not the same as taking a ... Read More »

Emma Rebmann is a third-year Pharmacology and Psychology student at UofT, who is also minoring in German Studies. After participating in CSSG this year, Emma encourages all students who wish to improve their German to apply to the program.  Please introduce yourself to the University of Toronto community  My name is Emma Rebmann. I’m a third-year student at UofT, double majoring in Pharmacology and Physiology, with a minor in German Studies. I participated in CSSG in the summer of 2024 and took GRMN 3446 (third-year German)! What motivated you to apply to CSSG? The program director, Dr. John Plews, presented to my German class about CSSG. The combination of language learning, engaging with a host family, and going on cultural excursions sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse myself fully in the language and culture. What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining the program?  Before attending CSSG, I took Introduction to German (GER100) and Intermediate German (GER 200) at UofT. Please tell us about the learning environment in Kassel. What were your classes and field trips like?  The learning environment in Kassel was more hands-on than I had previously experienced. Instead of only focusing on grammar, we ... Read More »

Elizabeth Frynta is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto’s Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies Program who also minored in German Studies and Political Science. Elizabeth is a two-time CSSG participant who took some time to share her German language journey with us while preparing for graduate school. This year, Elizabeth was awarded the Kim Misfeldt Prize from the Canadian Summer School in Germany. Elizabeth earned this award through her exceptional graded coursework, active engagement in the cultural program, and meaningful interactions in German with CSSG peers, instructors, and host family members during her time abroad.  Please introduce yourself to the University of Toronto community. My name is Elizabeth Milena Frynta. I graduated in June 2024 with a major in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies and minors in German and political science. I participated in the CSSG program in 2023 and 2024. What motivated you to apply to CSSG? I was motivated to apply to the CSSG because I realized that although I was pleased with my writing, reading, and comprehension skills, my vocabulary outside the classroom was quite limited. I wanted to become fully immersed in German culture. What previous experiences did you have learning German before joining ... Read More »

Dear All, The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures will be hosting the annual Student Appreciation Event on January 17th, at 2-4 PM. At this event, you will get the latest updates about German and Yiddish courses, programs, internships, and study-abroad opportunities. You’ll also hear from students sharing their experiences, connect with fellow students and faculty members, and enjoy pizza and drinks! Interested in joining us next Friday? Here are the details:Date: Friday, January 17, 2025Time: 2:00–4:00 PMLocation: Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, 1st Floor Don’t miss out—use this link to RSVP now! We look forward to seeing you there! Read More »

The German Studies Students’ Union (GSSU) just published the latest edition of the Undergraduate Journal Zeitgeist online:  This new edition features a vibrant mix of academic texts, thought-provoking opinion pieces, creative literary works, and personal experiences shared by our talented undergraduate students.  At Zeitgeist, GSSU believes in providing students with a platform to showcase their diverse voices, perspectives, and academic achievements within the field of German studies. The mission is to foster an inclusive and vibrant scholarly community where students from all backgrounds, years, and disciplines can contribute their unique insights and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue. Through this journal, GSSU seeks to inspire curiosity, foster interdisciplinary connections, and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of German studies among students and scholars worldwide. By embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and valuing academic excellence, Zeitgeist aims to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of knowledge and scholarship in the field of German studies. We invite you to dive into this exciting collection of articles and join us in celebrating the hard work and creativity of our students. Read More »

Friday, October 18, 2024 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Charbonnel Lounge, St. Michael’s College RSVP HERE We are exited to invite you to the upcoming Global Languages Initiative Workshop, hosted by the German Department, with guest speaker Marje Zschiesche-Stock. Join us for an engaging discussion on The Use of AI in the Second Language Classroom. The use of AI in educational contexts is currently a hot topic. The integration of AI into teaching will inevitably become a reality. How can contemporary language education respond to this? How can AI be productively integrated into teaching with added value? Our initial attempts show that it can also be an enrichment and act in a way as a friend and helper. But does it hinder the development of critical and independent thinking in our learners? In this workshop, we want to explore these questions and think together about how AI can simulate authentic language interactions and improve the communicative skills of learners at all levels. About Marje Zschiesche-Stock Marje Zschiesche-Stock has many years of international experience as a lecturer and trainer at a variety of institutions and educational establishments, where she has taught German language and culture at all levels and for all age ... Read More »

We are thrilled to co-organize the 10th Annual DAAD German Language Teaching and Learning Conference with McGill University on December 9th and 10th! Sponsored by DAAD, this year’s workshop will focus on student engagement and motivation. Registered participants can look forward to engaging research presentations, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Enhance your teaching skills and connect with fellow educators in a collaborative and inspiring environment! Read More »

Miriam Borden, PhD student in the Yiddish Stream of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, is excited to announce her first peer-reviewed publication in the 38th volume of Canadian Jewish Studies, titled “Joshua, King David, and the Flying Nun: Doodles and Reader Annotations in Post-Holocaust Yiddish Primers for Children”. Miriam’s article is a part of a special volume dedicated to Jewish Education in Canada. The article explores the humourous and insightful children’s doodles and reader annotations in Yiddish textbooks used by students at Yiddish schools in Toronto in the 1950s -70s. These annotations offer a window into children’s experiences in developing their relationship between Yiddish and Jewishness. Read the full article HERE. Read More »

Prof. Willi Goetschel has been elected to the fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Membership in the Royal Society of Canada is one of the most prestigious honours that a Canadian academic can receive. This distinction recognizes Prof. Goetschel’s many scholarly contributions, particularly his impactful work in the fields of Jewish thought, and German Enlightenment and idealism. As an internationally acclaimed philosopher, literary historian, and leader in the field of German Jewish thought, Prof. Goetschel has advanced research on the deep nexus between thought and literary imagination. Situated at the interface between philosophy and literature, in particular in modern Jewish thought, his work has helped to recover marginalized approaches to critical thinking thereby articulating emancipatory strategies that reimagine the terms of difference, alterity, and identity anew. Discover more about Prof. Goetschel’s research and achievements. Read More »