A Language and Culture Program in US-American Elementary Education in Germany

Elementary and middle schools for children of most US military personnel provide an exceptional curricular component: A subject called Host Nation Studies is integrated in the daily schedule, teaching American children the culture and language of their current host country. The subject is unique for its early implementation as soon as 1946 when the fi rst US schools opened in Germany. And still today, native teachers provide cultural and intercultural opportunities to US elementary students all over the world. This dissertation focuses on the subject’s conception and organization and the intercultural endeavours of US schools in Germany in two ways: First, historical research based on bibliographic resources regarding the school’s history looks at the development of the program 1946 to 1970. A second perspective is given by a questionnaire survey, which asks Host Nation and American teachers about the current language and culture program within US schools in Germany.