North Georgians take German, prepare for VW impact

"I came home and told my family how wonderful it was. I was afraid that we were going to be lectured for two hours. I feel like we learned a lot by singing and acting like 5-year-olds."-- Jackson Realty broker Lisa Heyer

Some North Georgians are now singing their way to what they hope will be a familiarity with German. Along the way they hope to learn just enough of the language so when Volkswagen and other German companies arrive in the area, they'll be able to provide a proper welcome.

Instructor Karen Claypool uses children's rhymes in the class teaching the basics in an easy way and encourages participants to speak without inhibitions.

"Don't be afraid to make a mistake; you have to make at least 10,000 mistakes so you might as well make them now" she said.

Through a series of interactive songs, approximately 25 people from the business and civic areas began learning German last week in Ringgold, Ga. The one-month class offered by the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce held Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. is one way the Chamber is preparing for Volkswagen's emergence locally, officials said.

"I just thought, we're inviting them here to do business in our community -- how nice it would be if we could say a few words to them," said Martha Eaker, president of the Catoosa Chamber.

She said the gesture shows extra hospitality and could help the area as it recruits other Volkswagen-related businesses.

Catherine Edgemon, director of Main Street & Economic Development for LaFayette, Ga., said she hopes to use the conversational German she learns with business representatives who visit the area.

"I took German in college and am taking it as a refresher course. Some of the words came back to me and some of the vocabulary was new," Ms. Edgemon said. "I'm curious to see how this method compares with the more traditional method, such as vocabulary memorization."

Lisa Heyer, broker for Jackson Realty, also in LaFayette, said she enjoys the different teaching approach.

"I came home and told my family how wonderful it was. I was afraid that we were going to be lectured for two hours," she said. "I feel like we learned a lot by singing and acting like 5-year-olds."

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