The most populous country in Europe, Germany, has been a consistent world leader in the areas of finance, philosophy, science, and culture. Long before Germany became a unified country, it was home to a region the Romans labeled Germania, and it was home to a wide variety of tribes and minor kingdoms. During the Middle Ages, however, Germany became the predominant region of the Holy Roman Empire, which eventually led to the unification of Germany under a single banner. During the Protestant Reformation, Germany flourished and, arguably, grew to become the single-most influential nation in Europe. Over the following centuries, Germany has risen and fallen in strength and power and is now at the heart of the European Union.
The German language shares many common elements with English, leading to some claiming that the two are sister languages. In addition to learning more about the linguistic connections between the two languages, students will also learn more about the cultural similarities between these two peoples.
Students are able to begin studying German in the sixth grade and continue their study until they graduate from Linden High School. With courses ranging from German I through German V Honors, students may work towards developing fluency in the German language while learning more about German culture. Finally, 11th grade students with a solid background knowledge in German in Linden’s International Baccalaureate program may opt to continue their study of German in an International Baccalaureate course.