The Goethe-Institut USA interviewed Karla Gotham, a current course participant of Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) and Idioma Education & Consulting, to learn more about her professional career as a German teacher.
Where do you teach German?
I teach German at Minnesota Virtual Academy (MNVA), where I’ve been teaching for the past six years. I currently teach both middle and high school levels and have also added a College in the Schools (CIS) program in partnership with the University of Minnesota. Through this program, students can earn both high school and college credit for taking my German course. German at MNVA is available to students statewide, which is especially valuable for those whose local schools do not offer the language.
With recent budget cuts across Minnesota, many world language programs have been reduced or eliminated—often without hiring replacements when a teacher leaves. In this climate, offering an accessible and high-quality online German program is more important than ever, and MNVA helps fill that gap for students across the state.
Why did you decide to take a DLL course through the Goethe-Institut and earn graduate credits via Idioma Education & Consulting? How does this support your career goals?
One of the benefits in my teaching contract at MNVA is the opportunity to earn up to six graduate credits per year, wth the cost covered by the Houston, MN school district 294. Thanks to the partnership between Idioma Education & Consulting and the Goethe-Institut, I was able to enroll in this DLL course for graduate credits and apply those credits toward my professional development as well as a graduate certificate in German teaching.
Although I hold four master’s degrees—in Special Education, Science Teaching, Chemistry Teaching, and Biological Sciences Teaching—my degree in German education is at the bachelor’s level. Taking DLL courses allows me to deepen and formalize my qualifications specifically in German language education by earning a certificate. As a CIS teacher, I’m also required to pursue ongoing professional development in my subject area, and the DLL program has proven to be an outstanding way to fulfill that requirement while gaining valuable, targeted expertise.
What skills or perspectives have you gained through DLL?
This course has been incredibly valuable to me. As the only German teacher at my school for the past six years, I’ve often had to make program decisions, select textbooks, plan online instruction, and even build curriculum—largely on my own. That kind of isolation can be difficult and includes a lot of pressure to make decisions without input from colleagues.
DLL 5, with its focus on curriculum and media, provided exactly the kind of update I needed. From evaluating textbooks to aligning content with student proficiency levels, the course helped me refine essential aspects of my teaching. Unlike other professional development opportunities that have focused primarily on my personal language fluency, this course offered actionable strategies and tools for German teaching that I can implement immediately in my classes.
One of the most rewarding aspects was collaborating with colleagues from around the world. Observing their teaching practices, reflecting on what worked and what didn’t, and realizing that we share similar challenges—despite being continents apart—was truly eye-opening and inspiring.
What would you say to colleagues who are considering completing a DLL course?
I would wholeheartedly encourage them to go for it. The program is rigorous, but the rewards are well worth the effort. For teachers who may be working in isolation—especially in smaller districts or virtual settings—DLL offers practical tools, fresh ideas, and a global community of educators to learn from.
The biggest challenge for me was learning the professional vocabulary in German to talk about teaching practices, as all of my previous language instruction classes were held in English. But once I acquired that language, a whole new world opened up. I was suddenly able to engage more deeply with international colleagues, access more teaching resources, and continue growing as a German educator.
At the heart of it all, DLL is about making our classes more engaging, meaningful, and effective for our students. And that’s exactly what it helps you do.
We congratulate Karla on her commitment to professional development and all German teachers who are similarly dedicated to providing their learners with high-quality instruction.
