Spring 2025 OLLI Digital Catalog

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14 courses

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Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025

Wednesday at 9:00 AM

This course is intended for people who have studied one semester of French at OLLI or who want to brush up their French. It is designed to help students continue to develop basic communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), and develop an understanding of various aspects of French and Francophone culture. Recorded vocabulary lists, phonetic lessons, short videos of French natives, online grammar lessons with self-correcting exercises, audio dialogues and video clips from your instructor help students enjoy and learn this beautiful language of Moliere.

Taught by: Mary Shenvi

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Online: February 4, 2025 to April 22, 2025

Tuesday at 10:45 AM

Join our intermediate- to advanced-level class to refresh, refine and update your speaking skills in a relaxed environment. Authentic readings and videos in French are selected to spark lively discussions on a variety of topics, from history, the fine arts, science, social trends, current events and modern dilemmas. Class sessions are designed with participants’ interests and needs in mind. Songs, cartoons, games and quizzes round out the experience. Materials are provided weekly in advance.

Taught by: Mary Shenvi

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Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 3, 2025 to May 5, 2025

Monday at 9:00 AM

This course continues “Le nouveau taxi! 2.” Every thematic unit focuses on clearly identified communicative goals and sociocultural awareness. Brief, but practical grammar lessons provide built-in opportunities for student interaction and pronunciation practice. A grammar workbook (ISBN 978-2-01-155552-6) aids in developing accurate speaking skills for effective communication. French Three Years ISBN 978-1-56765-331-1 is a thorough reference book. This semester follows units 2 and 3 of the text. Required text: Le nouveau taxi! 2; R. Menand; ISBN 978-2-01- 155551-9.

Taught by: Jacquelyn Keoughan

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Online: February 6, 2025 to April 24, 2025

Thursday at 10:45 AM

German language historical docudramas with German subtitles (played at 85% speed) are tied together with short, easy-to-follow lectures in German. Course is aimed at the intermediate level student, but all (from beginner to native speaker) are welcome. This semester focuses on the religious and social upheavals in the Holy Roman Empire of the 14th through 17th centuries. Topics include the Crusades, the Black Death, the Protestant Revolution, the Peasants’ Revolt and the Thirty Years’ War. Prerequisite: Some prior exposure to the German language.

Taught by: Mary Shenvi

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Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025

Wednesday at 10:45 AM

This intermediate/advanced course is conducted entirely in German and is designed to encourage a lively exchange based on a broad range of topics. A rich variety of sources assures that students have accurate models of German as it is actually spoken for different purposes. Authentic readings, recordings, songs and games provide an immersive experience.

Taught by: Mary Shenvi

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Online: February 3, 2025 to April 21, 2025

Monday at 10:45 AM

In this course participants continue to read short stories of different German writers, mostly of the post-World War II period. The intention is to increase vocabulary and fluency for students with an intermediate knowledge of German. Discussions after each story allows students to practice speaking. Texts are provided by the instructor. Prerequisite: Intermediate knowledge of the German language.

Taught by: Angela Drooz

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Online: February 3, 2025 to April 21, 2025

Monday at 9:00 AM

Native German instructors use Andre Klein’s Learn German with Stories series (Book 11 of 12) to expose students to cultural and historical facts about cities where German is spoken today. The emphasis is on learning German the fun way. All are welcome. Students are not required to speak German until they feel comfortable doing so. There is no need to have read the prior 10 books in the series. Required text: Lockdown in Liechtenstein, Andre Klein ISBN: 9798675907663.

Taught by: Christiane Shields, Lorena Meunier

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Online: February 6, 2025 to April 24, 2025

Thursday at 12:45 PM

This course aims at broadening a student’s vocabulary and understanding of the day-to-day German spoken today. The etymology of certain words is discussed, and the rules of grammar are explained on request. This semester, we read selected chapters of the instructor’s memoirs, covering his immigration to the United States of America in 1992.

Taught by: Udo Gorsch-Nies

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Online: February 4, 2025 to April 22, 2025

Tuesday at 9:00 AM

This class is a virtual gathering of OLLI members, current and former students of Italian, who love everything Italy. It’s not just about “la bella lingua,” it’s also about Italy’s culture, arts, cinema, food, humor, sights and sounds and people. Italian speaking is not required but always encouraged. Il Circolo was started during lockdown and quickly became very popular. Now, the excitement continues! Details at LearnFromSandro.com.

Taught by: Sandro Cuccia

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Online: February 3, 2025 to April 21, 2025

Monday at 9:00 AM

This is part one of an educational, but fun-filled, multi-semester Italian language program presented by a native Italian speaker. The course is regularly punctuated by tidbits of all things Italy via audiovisual clips that promote continued interest in the culture, language, arts and cuisine. There is no prerequisite as this session is strictly aimed at the beginning student of Italian. Discover why Italian is called “la bella lingua,” the beautiful language. More info at LearnFromSandro.com. Required text: A1 Italian Complete Course: Authentic Conversational Italian for Beginners by My Italian Circle. ISBN: 979-8872223603 AND Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Italian All-in-One, Premium Second Edition by Marcel Danesi (Editor) ISBN: 978-1265764937.

Taught by: Sandro Cuccia

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Dover (Wyoming Church): February 4, 2025 to March 4, 2025

Tuesday at 9:00 AM

La Lorraine, often paired with Alsace, serve as the context for improving language skills. Participants acquire vocabulary and structures needed to discuss the special features of this region. They practice the language while they learn about the history, the cuisine and the products of the region. This includes Daum Crystal, the porcelain of Lunville and art nouveau, to name just a few of the treasures of this region. Prerequisite: Intermediate-level French proficiency.

Taught by: Alice Cataldi, Susan Watkins

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Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025

Wednesday at 9:00 AM

This class consists of breakout room conversation, reading and discussing the stories in the textbook and singing in Spanish.

Taught by: Jeanne Hanson

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This class has been canceled for the semester.

Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025

Wednesday at 9:00 AM

This course is for students with little or no previous instruction in the Spanish language. We start at the beginning. The course is based primarily on the textbook with supplementary stories and songs. Required text: The Complete Ultimate Spanish, Ronni Gordon, ISBN #1264259107.

Taught by: Jeanne Hanson

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The dates and number of sessions of this class have changed since catalog production.

Online: February 6, 2025 to April 24, 2025

Thursday at 2:30 PM

An advanced-level course designed to provide participants the opportunity to enrich their Spanish vocabulary and increase their fluency in a relaxed, friendly environment. Authentic readings on a variety of topics serve as a springboard for discussion. Materials selected with participants’ expressed interests and needs in mind are sent out a week prior to each class. Music, pictures, games and video clips round out the sessions.

Taught by: Mary Shenvi

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