working group / club
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school club
At schools, a voluntary course offering in which students engage with a specific topic such as theater, sports, or programming. The abbreviation 'AG' is often used.
Jeden Donnerstagnachmittag gehe ich in die Theater-Arbeitsgemeinschaft.
Every Thursday afternoon I go to the theater club.
The word is composed of 'Arbeit' (work), the linking -s, and 'Gemeinschaft' (community/association). So it literally describes a community that works together.
Unsere Firma ist Teil einer Arbeitsgemeinschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen.
Our company is part of a working group for sustainable construction.
In everyday language, the abbreviation 'AG' is almost always used. From context, you then have to understand whether a school club or a professional association is meant.
Welche AGs werden dieses Schuljahr angeboten?
Which clubs are being offered this school year?
In connection with school, people often say that someone is 'in einer AG' (in a club), 'eine AG leitet' (leads a club), or 'sich für eine AG anmeldet' (signs up for a club).
Er ist in der Schach-AG, weil er sein strategisches Denken verbessern will.
He is in the chess club because he wants to improve his strategic thinking.
course / rate
'der Kurs' and 'die Arbeitsgemeinschaft' can both be a learning or leisure activity on a topic at school. 'Kurs' is a general word and can also take place outside school. An 'Arbeitsgemeinschaft', often shortened to 'AG', is usually voluntary at schools and often has topics like theater, sports, or programming. It sounds more like a group that regularly does something together. The words can be confused because an 'AG' can seem like a small course. At school, people often say 'AG' for voluntary activities; in other learning contexts, 'Kurs' is more common.
In der Theater-AG proben die Schüler jeden Mittwoch ein neues Stück.
In the theater club, the students rehearse a new play every Wednesday.
Ich melde mich morgen für einen Kurs in Erster Hilfe an.
I'm signing up for a first aid course tomorrow.