Adult German Language Classes
Spring 2025 classes begin the week of February 3rd! Contact us for more info.
Learn the German language in a fun, relaxing, and intimate environment.
Learn German doesn't have to be a daunting challenge. Come learn at the German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island, where we offer classes for all levels of learners. Whether you are brand new to learning German or already have some experience, we have a class for you. Our class-sizes are small ensuring you will get the personal attention you need to advance your German language skills.
Class Levels Available
Beginner
Begins Monday, February 3, 2025
Classes will be held remotely, via Zoom, every Monday evening, 6:30PM to 8:00 PM, for 12 weeks. No prior knowledge of German is necessary. The course is designed to accommodate a range of students, from pure beginners to those with some prior German language knowledge. All course materials will be provided free of charge from online resources supported by the German government.
Intermediate / Advanced
Begins Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Classes will be held every Tuesday evening, 6:30PM to 8:00 PM, in our classroom in the library of the GACS Ratskeller, for 12 weeks. Prior knowledge of German is required.
Private Tutoring
Begins the week of February 3, 2025
The GACS is offering private tutoring with one of our German teachers for a limited number of students who would like to take advantage of a one-to-one, guided program in German language learning. Private tutoring sessions, held remotely via Zoom or Goggle Meet, are available for students of all levels, with times to be determined by mutual availability. Please email us for more details.
Meet the Teachers
Beginner-Level: Norbert Hedderich
Norbert Hedderich (PhD in Foreign Language Education, Purdue University) has taught German as a foreign language for forty years. He had a 31-year career teaching German at URI, and was a corporate language instructor prior to that. Norbert was born and grew up in Germany, and came to the US in his twenties.
Intermediate and Advanced Levels: Sonja Arentsen
Sonja Arentsen is a native German speaker who grew up in Chile and Germany. She studied modern languages at Villanova University and has her teacher’s certification from Providence College. She has taught in the public and private schools in Rhode Island and has run her own language school, KinderLingua. Ms. Arentsen has been teaching German in the GACSRI Language Program since 2014.
Private Tutoring: Hans-Dieter Gomes
Hans-Dieter Gomes is a native German speaker from Halle, Germany. He has 14 years experience teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced German to students in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Hans-Dieter’s methodology is based on individualized learning where the student determines specific areas of focus and interest. He has taught many younger students as well as adult professionals whose work takes them often to Germany.
