German Language | Yak Academy

"After 3.5 years and many weekly classes, I have never had to coax my daughter to go to Spanish class. She skips into that building as if she is going to the park with her friends."

— Erin, mother of Elizabeth

Why Enroll in German for Kids?

Have you ever been to a German playground? They have a lot of things you wouldn’t traditionally find here in the USA. Have you ever heard of a Dutch disc, or seen rubber sheets across wooden bars that visitors can jump on? It’s these very different cultural pieces in Germany and other German speaking nations that make it quite different than most places you’ll visit in Europe. In fact, the German Language has become key in the European Union and the new economies of Central and Eastern Europe; therefore becoming significantly important to know when it comes to doing business there. Even for students entering business school, or getting their first jobs out of college with an international company, German is now considered a huge asset.

Interested in enrolling your little one in German classes? Click here to view prices and schedules at a location near you.

History

The earliest existing records of the German Language date back to 750 A.D. Although the language was widely used throughout northern Europe, it was the translation of the bible into German by Martin Luther that was the major contributor to the version of German we have today. Traditionally, German was written in a Gothic style known as Fraktur which dates from the 14th century; however, from 1945 onwards, Roman characters were adopted and are now widely used.

Following the American Wars of Independence, the Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia and considered adopting a new language for the future of the USA. When it came to the vote, English was chosen above German as the language of the new republic by one vote!

Standard, Modern or High German, which we speak today, went through a major spelling reform in 1996. In 1998, the country began an 8 year transitional period where the reformed spelling was taught in most schools, while both traditional and reformed spelling co-existed in the media.

Facts & Stats

German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and Eastern Europe.

One fourth of tourists in the USA are German speaking.

German-Americans represent the largest ethnic group in America as of the most recent census totaling 22%!

German is spoken by approximately 100 million native speakers and another 20 million non-native speakers and is the 2nd most frequently used language in which to write a work of scientific research, especially engineering, chemistry and physics.

Click here to view our schedules for kids German classes and pricing in your area.

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