European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 16, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Making the most of German classes by Mark wonders staff writer the Way to learn the German language a or any other language for that matter a should not begin and end with the Purchase of a foreign language dictionary. Not when a wide Range of courses is available no matter what your schedule demands or what level of proficiency you wish to attain there a a course that s just right for you. The learning process begins immediately after a Soldier sets foot overseas said Robert Slaydon education services officer at Cambrai Fritsch Cavern in Darmstadt Germany. All soldiers have to attend the head Start program a two week eight hour a Day course that touches on language culture and driving Laws. Military dependents and department of defense civilians May take the course on a space available basis Quot after the class it s All up to them a Slaydon says. After completing the head Start classes one can move on to other courses. Conversational German classes Are offered during off duty hours on Many army caverns. The class in Darmstadt costs $26, excluding books. Quot it is a slower paced course designed to give the student time to absorb the language Quot explains Slaydon. Some Community activities centers at major air bases also offer conversational language classes said Atil Dendar program director at the Rhein main a Community activities Center. At Rhein main three courses each in beginning and advanced German Are offered every year excluding the summer months Dendar said. Tuition is $35 per course and the two books needed to take the class Cost 15 Marks about $10,25 each. Second it. Creighton Barber assigned to the 547th engr in in Darmstadt chose the army s conversational German class a a i wanted to make an easier go at it in my travels. It will also help me get what i want like ordering a meal without problems or going into a department store and getting exactly what i  More intense language programs Are offered through the University of Maryland which has 75 different German classes ranging from elementary to professional level courses that Cost $82 per semester hour or $246 per three semester hour course. All of these classes Are open for military tuition assistance to those who qualify. Elizabeth Stellar a waitress at the Darmstadt officer s club prefers this path. Quot i like to be Able to interact with the people i meet Here. I also like to learn foreign  said Stellar who has studied italian and French courses for teaming German As Well As other languages Are offered by German evening adult education centers  in most larger cities in Germany. Classes meet twice a week for 90-minute sessions usually in 12-week terms. Tuition May vary however Cost for a typical course is about 96 Marks $65excluding books. Check with your local education Center for programs in your area. Yet another Way to tackle a foreign language is the study at Home approach. The City College of Chicago offers a videocassette course in German that can earn participants three hours of academic credit. The course consists of 15 to 33 Tel sessions varying from 30 minutes to 60 minutes in length and includes a textbook. Cost is $68 per credit or $204 per three credit course vol so a a to i a amps Jimd Annie Walcott concentrates on a new phrase in German language class in Darmstadt Germany. I once you Are signed up and receive the materials a Are required to take three tests during the 10-week session. All work must be completed by the end of this period. For a less structured and even less expensive approach to language learning there Are the so called Dantese video and audio tapes. Available at a numb of military education offices they Are designed for those who want to set their own learning Pace. Dantes tapes Are available free of charge to Active duty military reservists and National guard members military family members and Dod civilians pay $37.50,j after completing these tapes you Are eligible to Taka Clep College level examination program lest that depending on your score will earn from three to 12 Hou study credits. You May also take the defense language Institute s proficiency test to gain an additional skill identifier to military occupational skill mos rating. There Are also Dantes tapes in italian Spanish Andl French. Three study sessions weekly for a month prior a vacation could give you a just enough knowledge to eliminate some hassles and make the trip More enjoyable. Learning a language a keeps you from being isolated says Slaydon o 5m a Page 16 a the stars and stripes Friday november 16, 199q