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PA German Classes

Sponsored by the Grossdaadi Grundsow Lodges

The 17 Pennsylvania German Groundhog Lodges in the eastern part of our state are again sponsoring and supporting the schools within our areas for the purpose of teaching the language of our forefathers, Pennsylvania German or Pennsylvania Dutch, to those who have the desire to learn the language. The Groundhog Lodges have, during the past 25 years, provided this service, and are proud to continue in this endeavor.

 

Classes will be conducted at the five locations as noted on the attached list. As in the past, the classes will include word learning, use of verbs, sentence structure, conversations, and the writing of the language. The students who attend the majority of the classes, and write a letter to the teacher in the dialect, will be awarded a diploma, which contains fraktur and the student's name in calligraphy, suitable for mounting in a frame. No previous knowledge of the language is necessary, except for the advanced class at Cedar Crest College; the classes provide the basic necessities for proper use of the language.

 

The charges are for a dictionary and a contribution to the organization which provides the facilities  for the classes. Contributions vary slightly between locations. Enrollment should be made by calling one of the contact people listed at the location where you intend to attend classes.

 

Freyberger One Room School House

Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University 

Contact:  PA German Cultural Heritage Center   610-683-1589
              Paul F. Kunkel                                610-797-3270

Longswamp Township Building, Mertztown
Contact:   Leroy F. Brown            610-682-1619

Emerald Fire Company, Emerald

Contact: Preston Williams             610-767-1214

 

Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Road

Contact: Lower Macungie Library (610) 966-6864
 


 

Advanced Dialect (Comprehension Required)

Cedar Crest College, Hamilton Blvd, Allentown

 

Contact Cedar Crest College at 610-437-4471 ext. 3381

The Pennsylvania German Studies Program at Kutztown University...

 http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/liberal_arts/language/pa_german_studies_minor.pdf


The Pennsylvania German Studies Program
See Our Calendar: Link on HomePage!!

Introduction to Pennsylvania German I
Brendle Museum, Schaefferstown, PA
Fee:  $25.00 plus textbook
Enrollment limited to 15 persons
Contact:  Brad Smith at 717-625-3775 or email at pgbrad@juno.com

Introduction to Pennsylvania German I
Lebanon Campus, Harrisburg Area Community College
Fee:  $25.00 plus textbook
Enrollment limited to 15 persons
Contact:  Alice Spayd at 717-933-5511 or email pgalice@nbn.net

Introduction to Pennsylvania German II
Lebanon Campus, Harrisburg Area Community College
Fee:  $25.00 plus textbook
Enrollment limited to 15 persons
Prerequisite:  Introduction to Pennsylvania German I
Contact:  Alice Spayd at 717-933-5511 or email pgalice@nbn.net


Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced Classes Offered in "Pennsylvania Dutch” and the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society

Location: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Route 30 East, Lancaster, PA.

Cost: $100 for members, $115 for nonmembers. 

Info:  (717) 393-9745
Classes Offered in Pennsylvania Dutch

Kannst du deitsch schwetze? Can you speak Dutch? 

Recapture a piece of your Pennsylvania German family history.  Learn to speak with your Amish and Mennonite neighbors.  This fall the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society is again offering classes in Pennsylvania Dutch, the Pa. German dialect common to Lancaster County.

Keith ["Butch"] Reigart returns to teach our beginning classes.  Fluent in Pennsylvania Dutch, Butch was employed for more than 35 years as a foreign language specialist for the U.S. government, making him an expert in the language learning process. 

            Classes meet at the Society, 2215 Millstream Road, just off Route 30, next to Tanger Outlets, across from Starbucks.

Both courses run for ten weeks.  Cost is $100 for members, $115 for nonmembers. 

All are welcome. More information is available at (717) 393-9745.
 


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The Pennsylvania German Society
P.O. Box 244

Kutztown, PA 19530

 

Our mailing address is:

The Pennsylvania German Society

P.O. Box 244
Kutztown, PA 19530
(717) 597-7940
E-mail:
pgs@innernet.net

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updated 5-25-2010 tjg