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July 16, 1999
Youngsters learn German at campStudents to perform song at Kinderfest stage todayBy TONY ZIEBOL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM Without hesitation, the kids spring into jumping jacks, counting off each one with their newly acquired knowledge of German numbers. Smiling and thoroughly enjoying themselves, they seem to have no trouble grasping a language from a faraway land. These kids, ages 8-12, are part of the Sister Cities Commission full-immersion German camp at Martin Luther College, a week-long educational activity emphasizing the German language and sister cities of Ulm and Neu Ulm, Germany. Instructors Professor Kurt Wittmershaus of MLC, Erica Thiesfeldt and Beth Koelpin have all traveled to Germany and speak the language. "We're all pretty adept at German," Wittmershaus said. "You lose it pretty fast, though, without practice." The trio has taught the kids the German equivalent for colors, days of the week, the alphabet, parts of the body, short phrases and other words. "I think this age level is a good level to learn a foreign language," Wittmershaus said. "They're eager and uninhibited." Thiesfeldt agrees. "They catch on really well," she said. The kids have also been given German names, displayed on name tags they've personally made. Camp participants enjoyed their experiences. "There's a lot of fun songs and things," said "Elke," 8-year-old Anna Kolander. "I like the way they teach you and understand how you feel." "(I enjoyed) learning new words and stuff," said "Dietmar," 8-year-old Alec Rasmussen. "Gabi," 8-year-old Allison Nass, was even more impressed. "I like all of the things we do," she said. Most of the students also expressed an interest to travel to Germany and see the country first-hand. "First, I would go to Brussels and visit my relatives there," Kolander said. "And then I would go to different famous places." Nass had a similar goal. "I would just go around and visit famous places and talk to people," she said. Rasmussen was unsure if he wanted to travel all the way to Germany. "Maybe," he said. At Heritagefest, the kids will perform a song they learned and will also be in Sunday's parade. They will sing the German song, "Bruderchen Komm Tanz Mit Mir," which means "Little Brother Come Dance With Me," to parents and visitors 3:30 p.m. today at the Kinderfest stage. Karen Christiansen, co-chairman of the camp, hopes to add another group, possibly 13-14 year olds next summer. Did the kids think learning German was hard? "Kind of," Rasmussen said. But then he changes his mind. "Not really."
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