October 2002 - Nr. 10
Learning German in Kitchener
by Herwig Wandschneider
Learning a second language was - not so long ago – an act of exceeding the brain capacity of our poor children. Then, in spite of this argument by many parents, French was eventually introduced as a second language. Lo and behold, capacity was not exceeded. Will a third language? Hardly. There are people, who speak 18 languages ….. fluently.
No question, a PhD study could produce a thesis for the reasons for learning languages. Probably has been done. But for anyone, who has travelled or lived abroad with open eyes, there is one over-riding reason to know more than that La Tour Eiffel is a tower in Paris or that the Rhein is a river: beyond all basic need to communicate for personal or business reasons, there is the need to comprehend. Languages are the foundation for understanding the cultures, the histories and what it is that really make the peoples of this world tick. Not to have to ask yourself why certain peoples of this world hate Americans so much, as we have heard so often asked in recent times.
One fully appreciates the value of lost opportunities, when, surprise, surprise … they are lost. Meaning that children do not have the foggiest idea what they miss, if they do not learn a third language or do not keep their mother-tongue alive, until they see it in retrospect. This means that it is up to the parents to see that opportunities are not lost.
This, then, is the grass-roots motivation for some 600 students of all ages to attend the German Language School Concordia (Concordia School) on Saturdays in Kitchener. What motivated me to look into the school just a little is the enthusiasm I witnessed at the graduation ceremonies (http://www.echoworld.com/B0207/B0207bHerwig.htm)
Let’s get a little bit into the history and statistics. The school was founded as early as 1965 and adopted its current name in 1971. In these earlier days, the Board of Directors consisted of the Mayor of the City of Waterloo, 2 University Professors and the President of the Concordia Club. The prime sponsor of the school was then the club, hence the name. By 1983, under the leadership of Dr. Herminio Schmidt (Principal 1970-1986), the Board of Directors, and the parent council, the school gained a reputation as the "largest German Language School in North America".
Today, there are some 600 students in 31 Classes taught by 31 teachers under the Management of Principal Monika Matthaes. Classes run from Kindergarten to Grade 12 /OAC graduation plus adult to advanced-adult courses in two categories: those without prior German knowledge (English Stream) and those with a background in German (German Stream). Remarkably, 50-60% of all students have no or little knowledge of the language, but some 90-95% are of German cultural heritage. On average each class has 19-25 students.
Kindergarten–Grade 8 non-credit classes are taught at Crestview Public School on Saturdays for 21/2 hours (9 – 11:30). Grades 9 to Graduation and Adult credit courses at Grand River Collegiate Institute for 3 1/2 hours (8:30-12 noon). The popularity of the school and the resulting student numbers make it possible to continue at these two venues in spite of provincial budget cuts.
To understand the concept a little better: In Ontario High Schools, French is mandatory to Grade 9. Choice of language begins at Grade 10 and thus 3rd language credit-courses are taught from that point on. German can be taken as a 3rd language as part of the school system or can be taken through the Concordia School. In either case, it takes 110 hours (or 32 Saturdays at the Concordia School) to earn 1 Credit. This official High School credit has been awarded to successful students of the Concordia School since it was officially approved for amalgamation into the Waterloo County Board of Education back in 1973. As of 2001, also Adult Students now earn official credits.
What differentiates the Concordia School from High School is that it offers Credit Courses as of Grade 9 in the German stream and grade 10 in the English stream, a significant advantage to those, who come from a background with some knowledge of the German language or who have taken German courses at the earlier levels. This also makes it easier to opt for an advanced level Diploma – Diplom 2 – which approves the student for study at German Universities as far as competency of the language is concerned, eliminating the proficiency exam required by the German universities and possibly one whole year of language study in Germany. This is serious business, however. The written Exam is done in Toronto, and marked in Germany. The verbal exam "interview" is conducted with the critical ears of 3 people!! So, if you think back to award winner Melanie Wirz, who won the Gudrun Oswald Award as the best Diplom 2 student, ie the best of the best, you are looking at an exceptional student indeed.
And then there are the after-school enrichment programs, such as choir (Kindergarten +) and special performances in German at events such as Christkindl Market and German Pioneer Day, Christmas crafts, arts and computer enrichment and German competitions.
Financial support for the school comes from many sides. The Bundesregierung through its Consulate, and Fachberater für das Auslandsschulwesen, Bernd Schliephake, provides some of the books for Kindergarten to Grade 8, the Waterloo Region Board of Education provides the facilities and funding for most of the teachers (budget cuts reduced funding to the rate of one teacher per 25 students in 2001), then there are the course fees, of course, the TCA Education Trust and contributions by all 5 German Clubs in Waterloo County, Parent Association contributions, continuing in-kind contributions of facilities and refreshments by the Concordia Club for graduation ceremonies, for example, as well as other Awards programs.
All of this requires an enormous amount of Energy to manage and control. It also requires motivated, spirited and imaginative teachers, office staff and volunteers with significant contributions of personal time. Da kann man nur sagen "Hut ab" and "carry-on" to all participating parties, but most definitely including the parents and students, who realize the invaluable benefit of learning a third language. In the end, it is the students, who harvest the benefits of everyone’s hard work, including their own, in the form of a further piece of global comprehension.
