The beginners’ group and the advanced group have nicely integrated, with suggested home studies and the help of mentors making it possible for the whole group to go on our imaginary Trip to Germany. A whole new world of vocabulary has been discovered and we will try to retain that wealth of words by using them in the future. It has also given everybody a taste of what can be seen and done should such a trip occur.

On one occasion this month I could not present the work I prepared and had to ask the members to use the prepared work without me. Pauline and Graham with the assistance of Beverley managed very well and showed what a nicely knit adaptable group can do.  I thank them for that.

We will have one more meeting this month after I write this report.  For any interested person our work is on display on the ‘Lessons’ page of the website which is so well maintained by Beverly Lee.

I love learning with this group!
​
Horst Gunther

The now combined German group is making very good progress in pronunciation and general knowledge of vocabulary.   

Since it is now possible to travel overseas again, we began to dream about a trip to Germany with all the vocabulary to survive should such a trip happen.   

​I am taking the members down memory lane and it appears we all enjoy it. The old brain is being rejuvenated.   

For those former students who might be interested what we are doing, check the Benalla U3A Weebly website for Advanced German/Lessons.   

Horst Gunther

The two groups have now combined and in the next months there will be only one meeting weekly on Tuesday. I notice good progress in all participants and the amount of work so far can be inspected on the U3A Weebly website - simply click on the 'Lessons' button in the right hand column.
​
Horst Gunther

The advanced German group shows the benefit of our keeping in touch through correspondence throughout the lock down periods in previous years. It is a happy and studious group and has tackled quite advanced correspondence, which you can see on our ‘Lessons’ web page (see top of right hand column) if you are interested. It gives me pleasure to help group members advance in the German language and it is a 70 year review of my own school days.  It`s amazing how much we have stashed away in the back of our brains.

Horst Gunther

In 2022 both Advanced and Beginners courses are being held - with the Advanced Course offered by Horst Gunther offered on weekly from 12.15 to 1.30 on Tuesdays in U3A Classroom 1, and a nine week Beginners Group offered by Pauline Bailey on  Wednesdays 12:15 to 1:30 pm (Feb/March), also in U3A Meeting Room 1

This web page will continue to be used for German, but will focus on the Advanced course reports and news, while the Beginners short course has its own webpage at German - Beginners.  

The German group met for lunch at a cafe in Benalla for its last session for the year.

Next year a beginner group will be offered again after none this year due to Covid.  The group has decided to meet weekly in 2022.
 
Frӧhliche Weinachten und Frӧhliches Neues Jahr!

Pauline Bailey

Where would we be without internet and email in these times? Horst has directed us to good resources and advised us on where to focus our private study to overcome deficiencies in our German expression. With good weather and as permitted, a few members have been meeting weekly in the open air. Altogether, everyone is progressing at their own pace.

As I write this, we are about to meet to discuss plans for next year. I should be able to report on this next newsletter.
​
Pauline Bailey

Having not met face to face in August and the more contagious Delta variant ravaging the Shepparton community, a decision was made to move to remote interaction. Predictably, no sooner than this was arranged the emergency abated. Nonetheless, rather than be left frustrated again, the intention is that we shall not meet for the remainder of the year.

The format is similar to that when Covid restricted U3A at the beginning of last year. That is, the phone is the medium for spoken expression and email for written expression. The difference is that all communication is to Horst, whose first language is German.

All members have elected to write in German and most have taken the opportunity to have work  corrected. This is akin to have individual tutoring and is wonderful for having individual needs addressed. Participants write about anything of their choosing.

Half the members have taken up the option of speaking by telephone. Often hearing difficulties have been the reason for not doing so. We are sticking to the usual fortnightly structure, making times for the next phone call before hanging up.

This seems to be ticking along well. We are indebted to Horst for his willing commitment to the group. If there are others out there who would like to be involved, please let me know.
​
Pauline Bailey
0434 147 605

The German group did not meet once in August. The first time we had decided we couldn‘t and at the very last minute we could have. This was all too rushed. The next time we definitely could not!

By way of revision, we tackled a word find related to the vocabulary explored at the end of semester one.
​
Pauline Bailey

German will resume after a Semester break on Tuesday 10 August.  Anyone with an understanding of the German language is welcome to join us then. Contact me on 0434 147 605 if you are interested.
​
Pauline Bailey