Fall 2010 Adult & Young Learners (Ages 9-15) German Classes – Austin
The German-Texan Heritage Society offers two styles of German language courses – structural and conversational. The structural classes emphasize grammar, comprehension, and speaking skills, while the conversational classes focus on speaking skills, although grammar and comprehension are integrated within the lessons. A suggested progression is: Beginning Conversation, German I, German II, Intermediate Conversation, Advanced Conversation.
The German Free School will also offer it’s first ever evening German course for pre-teens and teenagers. This course, entitled German for Young Learners, is designed for beginners and lower intermediate students between the ages of 9 and 15. During the 4-week long course, students will be introduced to German culture and each lesson will focus on comprehension and speaking. Further, students will use textbooks by the Klett Verlag (Klett Publishing) and will gain skills reading and writing in German. The theme of the final class meeting will focus on German Christmas traditions and will be highlighted by a visit from St. Nikolaus on December 6. For more information about classes for younger students please visit our Austin Children’s Classes webpage.
In addition, Highlights of 19th Century German History will be offered for the second time. This class is instructed in English and taught by GTHS instructor and speaker James Damon. The class will focus on early German Immigrant families, the Texas Revolution and the Arts including musical works by Hoffmann von Fallersleben and the visual works of Elisabeth Ney.
Classes are 90 – 120 minutes long and meet once a week for 4 -12 weeks. The classes are taught at the German-Texan Heritage Society’s headquarters in the historic German Free School at 507 East 10th Street in downtown Austin. The cost is $45 to $90 for GTHS members and $55 to $100 for non-members. Some classes require a textbook, which can be purchased from GTHS for $20. Class size is limited, so please register soon. The registration deadline is September 6. Download a registration form at 2010 Austin Adult Registration, fill it out, and mail it along with your payment to GTHS, PO Box 684171, Austin, TX 78768. Credit card payments can be made by phone at 512-482-0927. Questions? Email us at programs@germantexans.org.
Beginning Conversational German
Teacher: Carola Meister
Wednesdays – 7:00 to 8:30pm; September 8 – December 1, 2010 (no class November 24)
12-week course, 1.5 hours a week, no textbook required
This class concentrates on commonly used words and phrases and their correct pronunciation, using a conversational approach to teaching. No textbook is used, but handouts will be made available. This class is meant for those who know no German or who want to brush up on the basics. Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to pronounce the alphabet and sound out word combinations, read and speak simple phrases, and be able to understand and speak simple sentences, including asking for directions, ordering off the menu, and telling time and general conversation. No prerequisite.
Cost: $70 Members/$80 Non-Members.
German I
Teacher: Elke Claudia Klukowsky
Tuesdays – 7:00 to 8:30pm; September 14 – December 7, 2010 (no class November 23)
12-week course, 1.5 hours a week, textbook required
This class emphasizes vocabulary acquisition, simple conversation, and structure of the German language using traditional methods of instruction. The course covers the first half of Taylor’s and Haas’ German: A Self Teaching Guide and is designed for beginning students as well as those who already know some German. The self-teaching guide is available from GTHS and costs $20.00. No prerequisite, although many find Beginning Conversational German helpful.
Cost: $70 Members/$80 Non-Members.
German II – German for Travelers
Teacher: Elke Claudia Klukowsky
Thursdays – 7:00 to 8:30pm; September 9 – October 14, 2010
6-week course, 1.5 hours a week, textbook required
This class is a continuation of the German I class and uses the second half of Taylor’s and Haas’ German: A Self Teaching Guide (available at GTHS for $20). The class emphasizes structure, vocabulary, and conversation and is designed for those who have completed German I or already know some German. Upon completion of 6 weeks of German II, students should be able to participate in basic conversations focused on traveling abroad using the present, past, and future tenses, as well as grasp adjective endings, comparisons of adjectives, and possessive forms. Students will learn how to get around in Germany while on vacation and acquire the necessary vocabulary in group discussion, as well as in role-playing. Pre-requisite: German I or equivalent.
Cost: $45 Members/$55 Non-Members.
Intensive German
Teacher: James Damon, MA
Mondays – 7:00 to 9:00pm; September 13 – December 6, 2010 (no class November 22)
12-week course, 2 hours a week, textbook required
This class covers the entire German: A Self-Teaching Guide in 12 meetings. It is intended for students who wish to expose themselves to as much German as possible in a short time. Students often take this course in conjunction with one of the conversation courses. As in German I, each class meeting is divided into a structural and a cultural part. Students taking this class should be highly motivated and able to devote at least a half hour each day to working exercises in the self-teaching guide, which is available at GTHS for $20.00. No prerequisite, although many find Beginning Conversational German helpful.
Cost: $90 Members/$100 Non-Members.
Intermediate Conversational German
Teacher: Hannelore Damon
Mondays – 7:00 to 8:30pm; September 13 – December 6, 2010 (no class November 22)
12-week course, 1.5 hours a week, no textbook required
This course is designed to help students strengthen and expand their conversational skills. Specifically, students will improve listening comprehension skills and speaking skills and expand their German vocabulary. The course focuses on common areas of conversation like Essen, Freizeit, Einkaufen, Reisen, Kino, Telefon, etc. There is no textbook for this course; instead, the instructor will provide texts and listening activities. Prerequisite: at least one semester of college German or equivalent (at least two semesters of GTHS courses).
Cost: $70 Members/$80 Non-Members.
Advanced Conversational German
Teacher: Katja Marmetschke
Thursdays – 7:00 to 8:30pm; September 16 – December 9, 2010 (no class November 25)
12-week course, 1.5 hours a week, no textbook required
This course is for students who have a working knowledge of German. In this course, students discuss media events and other topics of general interest, such as Reisen, Kultur, Essen, etc. The majority of the course will be in the German language, focusing both on group conversation and role-playing in smaller groups. Although most of the class focuses on speaking skills, there will be some occasion for grammar and written German. Improving German vocabulary and avoiding direct translation errors will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Several semesters of Intermediate Conversational German or equivalent; students should be able to form sentences using various tenses (past, present, future).
Cost: $70 Members/$80 Non-Members.
German for Young Learners (Ages: 9-15)
Teacher: Elke Claudia Klukowsky
Mondays – 5:30 to 7:00pm; November 8 – December 6, 2010 (no class November 22)
4-week course, 1.5 hours a week, no textbook required
This class emphasizes basic vocabulary acquisition, simple conversation, and the structure of the German language using traditional methods of instruction. The course covers materials from the Wir textbooks by the Klett Verlag (Klett Publishing). This class is designed for beginners and lower intermediate students between the ages of 9 and 15 and focuses on comprehension and speaking. During the 4-week course, students will be introduced to German culture and will gain skills reading and writing in German. The theme of the final class meeting will focus on German Christmas traditions and will be highlighted by a visit from St. Nikolaus on December 6.
Cost: $75 Members/$85 Non-Members.
NOTE: A Legal Guardian is required to drop off and pick up their student inside the building. Free Parking will be available along 10th Street for your convenience.
Highlights of 19th Century German-Texan History
Teacher: James Damon, MA
Wednesdays – 7:00 to 9:00pm; October 27 – December 8, 2010 (no class November 24)
6-week course, 2 hours a week, no textbook required
This course examines the history of German Texans in the 19th century. Classes will focus on Germans and German Americans who arrived in Texas before 1835 and participated in the Revolution (such as Nicholas Adolphus Sterne, Hermann von Ehrenberg and Jakob Darst, killed at the Alamo); the Adelsverein; early history of New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Industry and other German settlements; and artists and writers who influenced immigration and the arts in Texas, such as Karl Anton Postl, Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Elisabeth Ney. Classes are conducted in English using translations of German works.
Cost: $50 Members/$60 Non-Members.
