This page will provide you with information about extracurricular activities relevant for students learning German, and links to study tools and resources, including news sources.
There are many ways you can get involved in German beyond the classroom. You can come to a German film screening during LLCU International Film night. You can watch German movies from Stauffer Library's robust streaming and DVD film collection. You can attend potlucks at the Queen’s University International Centre in order to immerse yourself in other cultures and get to know exchange students from Germany!
Queen's International Centre
The Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) is an international education support service for students, faculty and staff at Queen’s. Through its activities the Centre promotes an internationally informed and cross culturally sensitive university community.
QUIC programs and services support
- the academic and personal development of international students, other international members of the Queen’s community, and their families;
- the academic and personal development of Queen’s students, staff and faculty interested in Education Abroad; and
- the internationalization of the campus by working with university departments, offices, groups and individuals to enhance and diversify the international learning environment at Queen’s through educational and training activities.
QUIC offers many cultural events and get-togethers for students, as well as the opportunity to volunteer to support international students with improving their English as they integrate into Queen’s life. It is a fruitful way to meet other students from other countries, to help and to learn from one another.
Check QUIC's Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date information.
LinguaeLive
LinguaeLive was founded by Queen's University professor Dr. Jennifer Hosek. LinguaeLive connects people learning each other’s language; it is a tool developed by teachers for students to work with peers in complementary language classes, no matter how far away. They can communicate using any method, such as VOIP or Chat.
Many of the students who used LinguaeLive are still in touch with their partners even after they graduate, and some finally get to meet their partners in person! And many continue to learn their target languages and cultures through their friendship after graduation.
For more information, please watch LinguaeLive - Life without Subtitles.
German Film Night
Films in German and with English subtitles are screened throughout the academic year either as part of the LLCU International Film Night or a German Film course (such as GRMN 428).
These screenings are open to all students and Kingston public.
You can also check our news section for the most updated event information.
Student Clubs
With approximately 450 student clubs to choose from, you can easily enhance what you learn in the classroom and have the chance to embrace your passions. More than 100 cultural and ethnic student clubs and organizations foster diversity and cultural engagement on campus. Below is AMS (Alma Mater Society) club that may be of interest to students of German:
World Languages Club hosts cultural and discussion events that bring together students of a common linguistic background and/or interest, regardless of academic concentration. The majority of our events are nights dedicated to one language (determined by popular demand) with a cultural theme (for example, Oktoberfest for German; Lunar New Year for Chinese). Students of all abilities are welcome, as the administration of these discussion-events will utilize an innovative “rotation method” for discussions. Participants will grouped by language ability level, and will rotate between conversing with those at their own level, teaching/being taught something new by those of another level, and thematic/game-style discussion in a large group. Holistic multilingual events will also be hosted, celebrating the universal characteristics of language, international exchange, and benefits of multilingualism. All events will include the presentation of cultural foods, either prepared by the executive committee or assembled by potluck.
Related links
| Learning German | |
|---|---|
| Deutsche Welle Beginner’s Level | Learn how to communicate the basics, like where you live and what your hobbies are. This course caters to level A1, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. |
| Deutschkurs | German language manual for English speakers. With this manual you can learn German online; it includes comprehensive German grammar, with audio, explained in a clear manner, and using easy navigation. |
| German Alphabet & Pronunciation Guide | This page provides an over-all view of what you need to learn to pronounce words correctly. The drop-down menu at the top of the site provides direct links to more information about different sounds and groupings. |
| Text to speech | Test your pronunciation - single words or full sentences! From SitePal |
| German for music lovers | Collection of language-learning resources for students, teachers and anyone who loves music. Ranging in style from classical to hiphop, from rock to rap, each song is furnished with a German/English vocabulary and supplemented with interesting links. |
| News and Newspapers | |
|---|---|
| Deutsche Welle | DW represents Germany in the international media landscape. Germany’s international broadcaster conveys the country as a nation rooted in European culture and as a liberal, democratic state based on the rule of law. |
| Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (German) | FAZ, is a national centre-right wing German newspaper, founded in 1949. It is published daily in Frankfurt am Main. |
| Die Welt | Die Welt (English: The World) is a German national daily newspaper. It takes a self-described "liberal cosmopolitan" position in editing, but Die Welt is generally considered to be conservative. |
| Die Zeit | German national weekly newspaper well-regarded for its journalistic quality. It is the most widely read German weekly newspaper. |
| Der Spiegel is a weekly news magazine published in Hamburg. It is one of Europe's largest publications of its kind, with a weekly circulation of more than one million. | |
| Culture | |
|---|---|
| Goethe Institut | The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. They promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. They also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics. |
| German Culture Collection | German Culture Collection is a collection of links on different topics including art, food, travel, history. |
| Make it in Germany | "Make it in Germany" is the multilingual "Welcome to Germany" portal for international qualified professionals. The website shows qualified professionals from other countries what makes it worthwhile to live and work there. |
| Facts about Germany | The Facts about Germany website is a service by Frankfurter Societäts-Medien GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, in cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office, Berlin. It covers a wide range of information about life in Germany. |
If you need help from a librarian, please contact your Research and Instruction Librarians:
- Hannah Tanna - language learning questions
- Elizabeth Gibson - literatures and cultures questions