Our School

The German School of the East Bay (GSEB) was founded in 1962 in Oakland and incorporated in 1966 and is now located in Emeryville, California. We are committed to teaching the language and culture of German-speaking countries to our multicultural students from around the Bay. We are a non-profit school run by an all-volunteer board. We offer classes on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00pm.

Team Spring 2023

Faculty:

  • Rosi S.: Pre-K/Kindergarten
  • Satara A.: Elementary 1
  • Nahid H.: Elementary 2
  • Mirjam L.: Elementary 3
  • Haley H.: A2
  • Stella S.: DSD 1
  • Karl P.: DSD 2/AP
  • Justin F.: Adult Beginner 1
  • Reza G.: Adult Beginner 2
  • Martin L.: Adult Intermediate
  • Otti K.: Adult Advanced
  • Assistants: Tonia, Meah, Karina, Anneliese

Staff:

  • School principal: Anita M.
  • Office Manager: Svetlana T.

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GSEB is an independent organization and is not affiliated with any school or religious organization. The school admits students regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Fun Facts!

  • Students have gone on to enroll in German-language universities in: Freiburg, Heidelberg, München, Rostock and many other cities in Germany, as well as Insbruck, Austria and Zürich, Switzerland.

  • Former GSEB student went on to study German in Portland, OR.

  • Students have been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX).

  • One GSEB student won the 2021 North American “Jugend debattiert” (Youth Debate) competition.

  • Longtime teacher received the German Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) for introducing the DSD exams in the SF Bay Area Saturday Schools.

Testimonials

“Because of GSEB, I was able to improve my German speaking and writing skills. I can go to Germany for university and talk with my German family.”

“Our beginner class for adults has been great. The small class size means you receive individual attention and there’s lots of interaction with both the teacher and among the other students.”

“It’s been fun. The staff is super friendly and attentive and keeps the fun factor alive with small events for all of the students, kids and adults both. We’re excited to keep going, so this won’t be our last class.”

“When I began the class I could say ‘danke schön’ and count to 10 in German. I have progressed so much in just a few months – I can compose and speak simple sentences, and count into the millions!”

“One of my favorite times at GSEB was when I had a really fun teacher who let us have a water balloon fight in the winter before he moved back to Austria.”

Questions?

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.