German Speaking Play Group

[stilli]

Hello to Birgit or any others out there in a similiar situation as us! We are an American/Swiss family - speaking English and Swiss German in the home. Since moving to HK from Zurich last April our daughter (almost 4 yrs) is quickly "loosing" her German. Our daughter continues to understand German but tends to speak more English then German to my husband. My husband continues to speak to her in Swiss German but is working long days and traveling regularly so she is basically out of practice and much more exposed to English as that is what we speak to each other.

Our daugher is also in an English speaking pre-school and as she did not get into GSIS for K2 will continue in an English speaking school for now. We are looking for a venue for her to play and "learn" in German at least once a week for a few hours. We dont want anything very academic but more of a learn through play experience with a native German speaking facilitator. If anyone knows of any such group or is interested in starting one, please let me know. Danke!!!

[rscharsig]

Hi Stilli,
My daughter, Daniela, is 3 years old with German father and Indonesian mother. She is exposed to 4 languages: Mandarin (with me), German (with papa), English kindergarten and little Indonesian. I am very much interested in the playgroup and perhaps we can share one hour class with Birgit as a trial to see if our children can learn and play together. I think 2 children is good considering they have their own interest with limited attention - just need to make sure they don't speak English...lol.

I know Birgit, she is a nice and kind lady, very patient with children. If you are interested, please email me at [email protected]. Gruss.

[sobira]

Hi Stilli,
I don't quite understand why I didn't receive a notification through the Geobaby system about your mail, as I have subscribed to all the German forums, so I am glad I saw it now. Of course, you are welcome to join the playgroup in Central, Wednesdays from 4 to 5.30, or you can do what Rose suggests. Just pm or email me if you like.
Just one food for thought though: SwissGerman is not German! It's a bit like Mandarin vs Cantonese. However, I can speak SwissGerman too, so I can teach both. Depends on what you want her to learn.

Hello to Birgit or any others out there in a similiar situation as us! We are an American/Swiss family - speaking English and Swiss German in the home. Since moving to HK from Zurich last April our daughter (almost 4 yrs) is quickly "loosing" her German. Our daughter continues to understand German but tends to speak more English then German to my husband. My husband continues to speak to her in Swiss German but is working long days and traveling regularly so she is basically out of practice and much more exposed to English as that is what we speak to each other.

Our daugher is also in an English speaking pre-school and as she did not get into GSIS for K2 will continue in an English speaking school for now. We are looking for a venue for her to play and "learn" in German at least once a week for a few hours. We dont want anything very academic but more of a learn through play experience with a native German speaking facilitator. If anyone knows of any such group or is interested in starting one, please let me know. Danke!!!

[stilli]

Rose and Birgit - thnx for your msgs - will be in touch in 2 weeks time as we have lots of visitors here at the moment so all a bit hectic.
Would love to learn more about the playgroup in central that is going on at the moment - and/or discuss other possibilities.
The Swiss German vs German language is all very familiar to me (and drove me crazy for years while we lived in Zurich). Although our daughter speaks Swiss German with her Papi she understands High German so would likely go that route if that is Birgits native tongue.
Anyway....we can discuss it all in detail when we connect again soon.
Many thanks!!

[sobira]

Hi Stilli, good to know you are aware of the Swiss/German issue - only too often people don't know.
Yes, of course I am Native German and teach High German, so your daughter will be fine then.
Just contact me whenever you have time. Regarding the playgroup in Wellington Street, you can just pop-in any Wednesday, shortly before 4pm for a trial class of 1.5 hours length ($360) and make your decision afterwards.
Enjoy your time with the visitors then!
Birgit

[claire23]

Hi Stilli, good to know you are aware of the Swiss/German issue - only too often people don't know.
Yes, of course I am Native German and teach High German, so your daughter will be fine then.
Just contact me whenever you have time. Regarding the playgroup in Wellington Street, you can just pop-in any Wednesday, shortly before 4pm for a trial class of 1.5 hours length ($360) and make your decision afterwards.
Enjoy your time with the visitors then!
Birgit

HI Birgit,

Would like to know more info about the German Playgroup in Wellington St.
My daughter is 2 yr and 6mos.old Her dad is a German and it would be great if she could learn the language by playing.

Thanks...

Cheers,
Claire

[sobira]

Hi Claire,
Will send you the info later today.
Birgit

[LinaYA]

This is an old thread but I would like to know whether the German playgroup in wellington still exists.

In the meantime I found another one called Lingo Academy in Wan Chai. Website looks great but would like to get some feedback who might have been,

TIA