German First Language Maintenance

First Language Maintenance

"Frühstücksgespräche in der Stadtbücherei" (German First Language Maintenance) has started in the Library, on the first floor, near the German Language Collection. It took take place the first Saturday of every month, excluding January, and ended in April 2008.

The first of this series was held on November 3rd 2007. The general theme of conversation was "Hobbies und Sport in Deutschland" (or hobbies and sports in Germany). View photos below to see who was there.
				Learning a language young with family is a very natural activity.
Dr Ute Walker and Gunhild Litwin encourage German speaking parents to speak their first language to their children.				Reading in the target language has long lasting benifits.

The second meeting was held on December 1st 2007, in the World Languages section of the library on the first floor. The general theme of conversation was centred on "Weihnachtsbasteln" (making Christmas decorations by hand). This session was for children with a basic knowledge of German. View photos below to see what was being done.

Making a wreath; with all the materials and instructions in German.
				Working together, using the first language in a natural communication setting, such as threading the toys, has beneficial rusults.
				Gunhild Litwin and friends begin to make christmas decorations.
Dr Ute Walker and young friend discuss colour construction choices.

Reading Tin Tin in the first language maintains first language literacy.					Reading for pleasure and discussing among friends is a natural occurance that enriches literacy.
A book can have the power to draw the reader into its' world unexpectantly.					German families gather to chat naturally in their native language.

The team was fully prepared.				The type of lesson offered included non German speakers.
Many different age groups were willing to try and learn German.				Sometimes everyone in a family were learning German.

					It was a family occasion. People seemed comfortable with each other.
There were different readers.
It is important to choose a story that will interest the whole group.					The reader explains the story and shows the illustrations.

The following event "Laternenbastelin" was held on May 3rd. German families, at this meeting, made lanterns from glazed paper, cards and paper bags. There were many people present and they had lots of fun.

These young men are starting to cut out the design.			These younger children display their work.
			Here's everyone who took part in the event.
This is how the latern is carried.

A piece of cloth was placed over sandpaper and an image drawn.		Others were observing the photographer.
		Teachers had as much fun as did the children.
One can learn through imitation.
		There were many hands working on this project.
Gunhild gets the material ready.

This month's theme was Eierpappenmonster! (Egg Carton Monster). It required a lot of ingredients, as monsters do, and busy hands.

It is not easy to make an egg carton monster.		This is requires a lot of thought.
Finshed at last and the real monster emerges!!		Cute, isn't it?

December the 6th the native German Speakers gathered in the world languages Section for Treff Für Deutsch. Nikolaustag! Wir wollen Knusperhäuschen dekorieren. Meaning the party was in honor of St. Nickolas and they were decorating German ginger bread cakes. Here are some photos taken to mark this event.

The many cultures of the World languages section are reflected in this photo				Dr. Uta Walker brought a flag to serve as the back drop of this event
Dr. Gunhild Litwin helps the children with the cakes.				Here are proud parents enjoying a moment with their children speaking their native language.
				Another photo of the group.
This is a group photo.
See you next Year!