Enlarge image German IV students recite "Mondnacht" by Joseph von Eichendorff. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) This year's Gartenfest presented by Claremont High School (CHS) German III and IV/ AP-IB students was further enriched by musical performances in addition to the traditional reciting of German poetry. The 13th annual event, orginally conceived by retired CHS German teacher Dr. Carolyn Spanier-Ladwig to encourage students to fully experience the German language, was held at Scripps College in Claremont on March 8.

Enlarge image Min-Jun Jin and Elliot Meyers perform the piece "Ein Gleiches" by Goethe. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Students recited works by such renowned German writers as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Erlkönig), Rainer Maria Rilke (Liebeslied), and Hermann Hesse (Im Nebel) to name a few, and performed their own written and produced poem entitled Einhorn (Unicorn). With music added to this year's program, students showed off their musical talents on the piano, banjo, and trumpet as well.

Enlarge image Retired Claremont High School German teacher Dr. Carolyn Spanier-Ladwig. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) The Gartenfest, as orginally envisioned by Dr. Spanier-Ladwig, provided students the perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of German and hone their language skills with the required translation, memorization and presentation of the poetry. Furthermore, the experience also gave the 125 German students another forum for self-expression and exposure to a college campus.



Enlarge image Students perform the piece "Einhorn" (Unicorn) they wrote themselves. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) At the end of the performance, there was a special send-off for two student teachers from the University of Augsburg, Germany. Larissa Lahn and Roger Büchsenschuss, studying to be English teachers in Germany, had wanted to come to the United States to improve their English language skills. Searching for schools in America, they came across CHS via PASCH, the global network of 1500 schools that receive financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office to foster the study of the German language and culture abroad. They contacted CHS, gained approval to do an unpaid internship, and then went about making all the necessary arrangements to come to Claremont.

Enlarge image Student teachers from Germany Roger Büchsenschuss and Larissa Lahn. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) CHS German students voiced their thanks and showed their appreciation by gifting Larissa and Roger with special mementos of their stay including Mickey Mouse ear hats. The self-initiated internship by the native German-speakers turned out to be a benefit both to the English-teachers-to-be as well as the CHS students of German - giving everyone the opportunity to better their foreign language skills.

Enlarge image Claremont High School's new German teacher Jennifer Tsai, far right. (© Germany.info/Los Angeles) Attending the recital on behalf of the Consulate General were Cultural Affairs Vice Consul Julia Neblich and Consul Michael Ott, who praised the excellent working relationship between the Claremont Colleges and the local schools in promoting the learning of German. He offered the Consulate General's continued support of German programs at the schools.