Die Dritte Hand: Detective Story Series for German language learners

Learning German through Storytelling: Die Dritte Hand" is a creative approach to language learning designed by André Klein. It forms part of a series tailored to help intermediate to advanced students of German improve their skills in a fun and engaging way. Klein, leveraging his experience in language education, developed this series to address the monotony often associated with traditional language learning methods. The narrative incorporates exercises, vocabulary lists, and illustrations, enhancing the learning experience.

Differentiation:
What sets this curriculum apart is its unique integration of storytelling into language learning. The detective story format is not only engaging but also provides contextual learning opportunities which make vocabulary retention and grammar comprehension more intuitive. Unlike standard textbooks that focus on rote learning, this approach encourages critical thinking and real-world application of language skills.

How to Get Started:
To begin using this curriculum, learners can purchase the ebook, paperback, or audiobook versions. The ebook version includes features like on-demand translation for difficult words, making it ideal for readers who prefer digital convenience.

How It Works:
The curriculum is designed to be flexible with learners’ schedules. Each chapter includes built-in exercises and can be completed at one's own pace, though daily practice is recommended for best results. It’s suitable for independent learners but can also be facilitated by a parent or tutor if additional guidance is needed.

Educational Content:

  • Detective story narrative

  • Integrated language exercises

  • Vocabulary lists with English translations

  • Comprehension training exercises

  • Hand-drawn illustrations to aid understanding

What’s Good About It:
Users appreciate the curriculum's engaging method of teaching through narrative, which makes learning less daunting and more enjoyable. The integration of comprehensive exercises and vocabulary support helps solidify the language skills being taught.

What Could Be Improved:
While highly effective for intermediate to advanced learners, beginners might find the pace challenging. Additional introductory materials could help bridge this gap.

Advice from Parents:
Parents suggest complementing the story-based learning with real-life conversation practice. This could involve discussing the story’s plot and characters in German to enhance verbal skills.

Who It’s an Ideal Fit For:
This curriculum is perfect for learners who enjoy story-driven content and have a basic understanding of German. It’s especially suited for those who find traditional learning methods tedious and prefer a more dynamic approach.

Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For:
Absolute beginners or those who prefer highly structured, traditional language courses might struggle with the thematic and narrative-driven approach.

Grades:
Suitable for learners from middle school to adult learners.

Cost:
The materials range from $2.99 for individual formats to $27.99 for the complete series bundle.

Ways to Get It:
Available for purchase as ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks on platforms like Amazon and LearnOutLive.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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