Bring a friend to a Community Education class and receive free tuition for a second person who attends the same class with you!

RCC German classes go way beyond Oktoberfest

People are inspired to take German classes at Rogue Community College for a host of reasons. A number of students have enrolled in the RCC Community Education class to prepare for traveling. Others have family members stationed in Germany and want to deepen their connection with the country, and several have previously studied the language and want to brush up on their skills.

For David Wood, the need to further his language ability was driven by family. He had lived in Germany for several years and has a daughter who still resides there. When she had her own daughter, he knew it was time to take action.

“I wasn’t going to not be able to communicate with my granddaughter,” Wood said. For him the class was a refresher, but it was a first-time experience in German for his wife, Kay.

“Had it not been for the ‘Bring-a- Friend’ offer, I don’t think she would have taken the class at all,” Wood said.

(Persons who enroll in selected Community Education classes can register a second person for the same class at no additional cost. See this class schedule for details.)

The students are thrilled with both instructors. Valentina Shamova has taught at the Redwood Campus two years; Sunshine Bucy began teaching at the Riverside Campus this spring. Very different circumstances brought them to learn German.

Shamova, who is Ukrainian, spent her childhood in Egypt. “My dream was always to be able to understand other languages and then help others to learn them,” Shamova explained.

During college she studied German and English. Shamova’s students say she is patient, positive and engaging and a very skillful instructor who encourages them.

Bucy lived for about 10 years in Germany working as a cabinetmaker. Two of his students, Deborah Sanchez and her husband, Frank, have enjoyed learning more of the language from Bucy after spending three years stationed in Germany.

“Sunshine is great! He’s got a lot of energy,” Sanchez said. “It’s fun taking from him because he’s an American, and he comes at it with an understanding of what it’s like to go through learning German. “We’re going to keep taking it,” she added. “It’s a useful way to go if you’re going to travel to Europe.”

“German for Fun and Travel” is offered at both the Redwood and Riverside campuses.

To register call 956-7303 in Josephine County, 245-7616 in Jackson County.