AATG News

Deborah Page, AATG Liaison, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Spring Meeting Held

The Ohio Chapter of the AATG held its spring meeting during the OFLA conference in Sandusky in April. We had a large turnout including several new faces, and lively discussion. The business meeting included discussion and approval of the amended constitution and bylaws, a process that started one year ago, with a major discussion of the changes at the fall business meeting.  You can look for the updated constitution on the chapter website (http://www.ohioaatg.com/). We discussed possible themes for the fall conference, including a discussion of what instructors need to be able to comply with state regulations and the upcoming university Transfer Assurance Guidelines (TAG) requirements. Anka Fehling of the German Central Agency of Foreign Schools Abroad (ZfA) was also able to meet with the group, and provided information about her activities and services.

National German Exam:  Ohio Student Wins an AATG Travel Award

This year’s National German Exam continued with its successful online format with 516 students in 14 schools around Ohio attempting the exam. At level 2, thirty-two students scored in the 90th percentile, at level 3, twenty-nine scored in the 90th percentile, and at level 4, twelve scored in the 90th percentile. Results were strong for Ohio and as a result, we were allowed to nominate 3 candidates for the award trip, instead of the usual 2 candidates. Candidates must have scored in the 90th percentile, be 16 years of age by the end of the year, and have spent less than 2 weeks in a German speaking country to be eligible. The Ohio nominees this year were: Curtis Magee, a senior at Centerville High School (Centerville) where Kristina Wassmann is his German teacher; Riley Jones, a student at Archbishop Moeller High School (Cincinnati) where Linda Zins-Adams is his German teacher; and Rachel George, a student at the German Language School (Cleveland) where Gabriele Samodelov is her German teacher. The National AATG Office made their final decision and announced that Riley Jones is the Ohio winner of the free three-week study trip to Germany. Congratulations to both Riley Jones and Linda Zins-Adams!

Hold the Date!

The fall conference and meeting is tentatively set for November 6-7, 2015, and will be held in Columbus.  Watch for details in the Ohio AATG listserv in early fall.