Weekend German School at the Chicago Donauschwaben
What are the Donauschwaben?
The Donauschwaben (Danube Swabians in English) are a group of ethnic Germans who were settled in what is today Bosnia-Herzegovenia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary, and Montenegro by Austro-Hungarian Empress Maria Theresa in the 1700s. After WWII many fled the area and settled in the United States. The Society of Danube Swabians was formed to keep traditions, culture and German language alive among it members and foster among its youth a sense of pride in their heritage. The Society provides many programs such as a folk dance group, teen youth group, community outreach and senior citizen activities in addition to housing a Saturday school.
About the School
The school is located at the Hall of the Society of the Danube Swabians. The Society has operated a weekend German language school for over 60 years. The school teaches both language and culture. Classes are provided for children preK-8th grade and adults. The school is home to knowledgeable teachers with college degrees in German. Many have studied or lived abroad in Germany or Austria, as well.
Classes are held on Saturdays from the end of September to May.
The weekend school welcomes new students. Families do not need to be members of the Society to participate in classes.
For additional information, please contact Principal Kirk Walker at donauschule@yahoo.com.
Classes:
Krabbelgruppe
The 0-3 year old class is called the "Krabbelgruppe" and students attend with an adult. This class is held from 9:00-9:45am. Students learn German through songs, stories and movement.
Kindergarten-8th grade
The Kindergarten-8th grade classes meet 10:00am-1:00pm with a 30 minute lunch and recess break at 11:00am. Students attend independently from an adult. Students age 3 or 4 attend "kleiner Kindergarten" and begin to interact with written German.
Adult Classes
There are two levels of adult classes. The beginning class runs 9:00am-11:00am. The conversation class runs 11:30am-1:30pm.
location:
Saturday German Language School
625 E. Seegers Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
From North
Take I-294 / Tristate Tollway South. Exit Golf Road (Toll $0.50) Westbound. Take Golf Road West through traffic circle at Golf and Wolf Road. Stay left and make left turn onto Wolf Road (South). Turn left on Harvey and proceed to Seegers Road. Turn Right on Seegers and proceed about one block to the hall, located on the right side.
From Chicago
Take I-90 (Kennedy) to I-294 (Tri-state Tollway) North. Exit I-294 at Dempster Street Westbound to Rand Road (Rt. 12). Take Rand Road Northwest to Golf. Take Golf Road West through traffic circle at Golf and Wolf Road. Stay left and make left turn onto Wolf Road (South). Turn left on Harvey and proceed to Seegers Rd. Turn Right on Seegers and proceed about one block to the hall, located on the right side.
From West
Take the I-90 / Northwest Tollway East toward Chicago. Exit Arlington Heights Road North. Take Arlington Heights Road North to Golf Road. Take Golf Road East to Wolf. Take Wolf-Golf Road North to Seegers. (Wolf and Golf run together at this point into a traffic circle. If you reach the traffic circle you have gone too far.) Turn right on Seegers and proceed to the Hall, located on the right side of the street.
Be careful using online mapping software, since the location mapped is sometimes not accurate.