School Seminars
AmerikaHaus NRW e.V. brings international topics with a direct connection to the USA into the classroom: we offer interactive seminars led by native English speakers throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. The focus is on key topics such as the American Dream, the US education system, and the electoral system in the United States.
Our programs provide in-depth knowledge about politics, economics, and society in the United States—in a way that is understandable, lively, and on equal footing. The seminars not only promote language practice, but also encourage critical reflection on socially relevant topics and strengthen understanding of cultural differences.
In this way, we create space for intercultural learning and support schools in making transatlantic connections tangible – a valuable contribution to political education and to preparing young people for a globally connected world.
In our seminars:
- American Experience we show how cultural values, traditions, and regional differences shape growing up in the United States and what similarities and differences emerge when compared to German experiences.
- American Dream, we teach the basics, successes, and challenges of this concept and shed light on its complex history up to the present day.
- U.S. Education System we explain the structure and organization of the American education system and reflect on its portrayal in film and television.
- U.S. Elections we provide insight into U.S. democracy and the political system, with a special focus on the important—and often difficult to understand—Electoral College.
Participation in the seminars is free of charge for schools. The content and schedule can be flexibly adapted to the interests and language level of the students. All seminars are held in English.
For further information and inquiries, please send an email to: schoolseminars@amerikahaus-nrw.de
Key questions
in the American Experience seminar:
- What is it like to grow up in the United States today?
- How do cultural values, traditions, and regional differences shape everyday life for Americans?
- How do U.S. holidays and traditions compare to those in Germany, and what do they reveal about American identity?
- Which stereotypes about Americans exist in Germany? How accurate are they?
- What similarities and differences do students notice when comparing their own experiences to those of American youth?
in the American Dream seminar:
- What is the American Dream?
- How has the American Dream changed over the centuries? Where does it originate? What does it mean today?
- How does the American Dream compare to the actual reality of life for people in the USA?
- How do different ethnic, religious, and economic groups experience this “dream”?
- How is the American Dream portrayed in American literature? And in politics?
In the U.S. Education System seminar:
- How is high school portrayed in the US media? How realistic is this image?
- What are the differences between German and American high schools? And between German and American universities?
- What is the significance of a university degree in the USA? What factors influence the decision to study or not?
- How do international students apply to US universities?
In the seminar U.S. Elections:
- What are the foundations of democracy in the USA? Who is eligible to vote? How are elections conducted? Who do you vote for?
- How does the American electoral system differ from the German one?
- How has US democracy developed? Who had the right to vote when the US was founded – and who has it today?
- How do presidential and congressional elections work and why are they important?
- What is the Electoral College? Why does this system exist – and how does it work?