Miriam Swatuk, M.Ed.
German Instructor
Miriam Swatuk has dedicated over a decade to teaching language courses at various levels, both online and in traditional classroom settings. As a dynamic educator and course designer, Miriam is deeply passionate about aiding individuals in achieving their learning goals. She specializes in creating engaging, attractive, and effective educational content that focuses on student-centered approaches. Her commitment extends beyond teaching; she is also invested in overcoming the challenges that learners face, ensuring that her courses are accessible to everyone.
In addition to her teaching duties, Miriam plays a pivotal role in the development of other educators. She provides training to both new and experienced teachers on a national and international scale, facilitating workshops and offering educational support specifically to German language teachers. Miriam holds a Master of Arts degree in German literature from Otto-Friedrich University in Bamberg, which enriches her deep understanding of the linguistic and cultural aspects essential for teaching the German language effectively.
Join me in one of my courses!
DLL 6 Curricular Requirements and Lesson Planning
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to get an in-depth understanding of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and its influence on lessons, as well as how CEFR relates to the ACTFL- Proficiency Standards. Teachers will learn to formulate can-do descriptions themselves and recognize their importance for action-oriented lessons. The course will culminate with a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants are familiar with the ACTFL Proficiency Standards and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and its influence on lessons.
Participants can formulate can-do descriptions themselves and recognize their importance for action-oriented lessons.
Participants are familiar with the concept of methodical-didactical principles and their importance for lesson planning.
Participants are familiar with the key questions of lesson planning.
Participants are familiar with various models for lesson planning.
Participants can formulate learning objectives and plan lessons based on learning objectives
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requiement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.
DLL 4 Assignments, Exercises and Interactions
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to learn to differentiate between good assignments and exercises and create sequences of activities that build upon each other. Teachers will understand their role in the interaction process. The course will culminate with a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants can differentiate between assignments and exercises, and identify good exercises and assignments.
Participants can create sequences of assignments and exercises that build upon each other in a meaningful way.
Participants understand the role of teachers in the interaction process.
Participants are aware of the processes that take place when speaking in another language.
Participants are familiar with exercises to encourage speaking ability.
Participants are aware of the processes that take place when writing and are familiar with exercises that support writing skills.
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requiement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.
DLL 3 Teaching German as a World Language
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to learn the elements of the German language and how the form and function of linguistic parts work together in communication. Teachers will learn the semantic classes, the nouns and functions of the article, the formal properties of gender, number, and case, the connection between the preposition and the following case, and why standard pronunciation is important. The course will culminate with a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants know the elements of the German language and how the form and function of linguistic parts work together in communication.
Participants know the semantic classes, the nouns and functions of the article as well as the formal properties of gender, number, and case.
Participants can explain the connection between the preposition and the following case.
Participants are familiar with important models for representing sentence structure and how the parts of a sentence are related to each other.
Participants know why standard pronunciation is important and which important features characterize German intonation.
Participants can compare the phonetic system of German with that of the first language of their students and anticipate potential pronunciation difficulties.
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requiement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.
DLL 2 Learning German as a World Language
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to learn which factors determine learning and second language acquisition. Participants explore characteristics of independent learning as well as strategies to systematically plan and structure the learning process in their classroom. The course will culminate with a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers by the sharing of experience among colleagues. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants are familiar with factors that determine learning.
Participants are familiar with how the first language influences the learned language and with the language acquisition process.
Participants are familiar with characteristics of independent learning as well as strategies to systematically plan and structure the learning process.
Participants can encourage students to evaluate their own learning.
Participants are familiar with important didactic developments that promote multilingualism.
Participants are familiar with didactic-methodical principles that apply when teaching German as a world language and can use appropriate exercises in the classroom.
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requirement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.
DLL 1 Teaching Competence & Lesson Planning
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to develop and describe their own teaching philosophy while learning how to encourage good, open and realistic communication in the classroom. They will learn the principles of teacher research and professional development opportunities. The course will culminate with a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants can describe their own teaching philosophy.
Participants are familiar with factors that contribute to complexity in lessons and know strategies for dealing with the special challenges of world language instruction.
Participants are familiar with various options for planning lessons.
Participants know how they as teachers can encourage good, open, and realistic communication in the classroom.
Participants know how they as teachers can have a positive influence on the learning environment.
Participants know the principles of teacher research and can recognize and take advantage of their professional development opportunities.
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requiement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.
DLL 5 Technology and Media in the German Classroom
Partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA
Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) is the Goethe-Institut's practice-oriented, globally recognized professional development series for German language teachers. Each 10-week online course includes 3 live sessions and covers a range of topics aimed at developing and strengthening teaching competence. Participants benefit from observing their own and others’ teaching, reflecting on and optimizing their teaching practice among a cohort of international educators, and learning under the guidance of professional DLL trainers.
The Goethe-Institut partners with Idioma Education & Consulting to enable participants in DLL courses to earn state-approved professional development hours or graduate-level credit. These PD-hours and graduate-level credits can be used toward salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate or an M.Ed.
Course Description
The overall goal of this course is for teachers to learn strategies for developing reading, listening and audio-visual skills. Participants will find learning materials (including texts, social media, and videos) about the country and culture to prepare them for use in the classroom. At the end of each course teachers will complete a 2-week final project (Practical Exploration Project or PEP), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. This course is conducted in German in partnership with the Goethe-Institut USA.
By the end of the course, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to:
Participants know the components of textbooks and their functions.
Participants can gauge when they would like to use additional materials and can provide them for their target group.
Participants know why and how learning material should be adapted.
Participants know strategies for developing reading, listening, and audio-visual skills in German.
Participants can find texts about the country and culture, and prepare them for use in the classroom.
Participants are familiar with various social media and specific ways to use them in German lessons.
Pre-requisite
The entry requirement is German proficiency at level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or Advanced Low ACTFL Proficiency Level. If you are unsure you meet this requirement, please take this assessment and email a screenshot of the results to info@idiomaconsulting.com. Students who do not meet the proficiency level requiement are encouraged to register for a German Language Course through the Goethe-Institut to prepare them for DLL courses.
Please note that the time commitment does not allow participants to take multiple DLL courses simultaneously. If you are interested in taking more than one course concurrently, you must receive approval from the Goethe-Institut. Direct email inquiries to dll.usa@goethe.de.
Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated Course: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours
3 live virtual sessions
Weekly online learning modules including exploration, reflection and tutored portfolio exercises along with collaborative discussion boards
Final Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
Instructor feedback
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website and course assignments must be completed within the week they are assigned. The final project must be submitted by the course end date. Course extensions are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Requirements
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 45 PD hours:
6 completed exploration exercises
All reflection exercises
Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary)
Successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)
For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate-level credits:
All exercises above
Plus: all tutored portfolio exercises
Course Access Information
Your Goethe-Institut Moodle course invitation will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the instructor-facilitated 10-week course. You may access the learning platform at onlinekurse.goethe.de.
Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials are digital and will be provided in the online course.
About the Instructor
Miriam Swatuk, Instructor. Read more about Miriam here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Please first complete the Goethe-Insitut DLL registration form and then pay the course fee below through Idioma Education & Consulting.