June Club Meeting in Review – Bilingual Gymnasiums in Stuttgart

Janina Seltzer

At our June club meeting we had a lively discussion about the bilingual Gymnasium system in Stuttgart. We were joined for the morning by Janina Seltzer, a recent graduate of Königin Olga Stift (KOST) in Stuttgart-West.

In a normal Gymnasium, all subjects are taught in German. Janina explained to us how at her school, certain subjects are taught exclusively in English, including geography, biology, and history. In addition, students are required to attend extra hours in the subject of English itself from the fifth class onwards.

In addition to the class work, English support is given in the form of short exchange programs to English-speaking countries in the younger classes and a month-long trip to the US in the 11th class. Her school also has an debating society where the students can learn a lot of extra vocabulary and sharpen their quick thinking and argument formation skills in English.

Janina also took advantage of the year abroad program in the 10th class by spending a year in Australia that not only helped bring her English language skills up to a very high level, but exposed her to a very different kind of high school experience than the standard German model. (Note: one does not have to attend a bilingual school to participate in the year abroad program.)

Probably the biggest surprise to those of us with bilingual children was that the bilingual Gymnasium program is not intended to support children who already know another language. Janina had only monolingual German students in her classes with the exception of exchange students. The program is directed at highly-motivated students, not bilingual students. As Janina explained, success in her school didn’t come from knowing English well, but rather from being a good student in general.

We thank Janina for her excellent presentation and wish her well at Cambridge University in the fall!

June/August Partner Organization Events

Each month we let you know about events being planned by our partner organizations that we are aware of.

Here’s what’s happening in July.

Forum der Kulturen
July 10 – 15 Sommerfest
Click here for a monthly events calendar

The Children’s English Library
July 14 Etzelfest
Full schedule

Kulturcafe Merlin
July 27-28 9th International Low & No Budget Film Festival
Full schedule

St. Catherine’s English Church
July 1 Diamond Jubilee Evensong
Full schedule

Partner organizations are other area groups that also serve the international community in Stuttgart and who have agreed to promote IWCS events to their membership. This listing is for information purposes only and opinions expressed at partner organization events do not necessarily reflect those of the IWCS Steering Committee.

If you are a local group serving the international community who would like to work together with us on cross-promotion, please contact us using the form below.

[contact-form to=’intlwomensclubstuttgart@gmail.com’ subject=’Interested in working with IWCS as partner organization’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]

Members Only Event – Maori Exhibit at the Lindenmuseum

Join host Billie Schoeler for a guided tour of the Maori Exhibit at the Lindenmuseum in Stuttgart. The tour will be in English and will be sponsored by the club, with members paying only their entrance fee (€7).

The exhibit, “Maori: New Zealand’s First Inhabitants”, will present Maori culture, past and present. The Lindenmuseum focusing on world cultures and more information about the exhibit and the museum can be found in English on their website.

On the night of our visit, the museum will be open until 20:00, so starting at 18:00 we will have our hour tour and then be able to go back and re-visit the most interesting sections on our own for up to another hour.

Afterwards, Billie will be hosting a small dinner at Hegel Eins, a German restaurant right around the corner. Please let her know in the RSVP section below if you wish to attend the museum tour and dinner, or just the museum tour.

Maori Exhibit Visit at the Lindenmuseum
Wednesday, July 11th starting at 18:00
Location: Lindenmuseum, Hegelplatz 1, 70174 Stuttgart
Nearest Station: Hauptbahnhof
RSVP to Billie using the form below

[contact-form to=’sibylle_schoeler@web.de’ subject=’Maori exhibit’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’/][contact-field label=’Will you also be attending the dinner afterwards?’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Comments or questions’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]

Library Tour in Review – June 2012

[slideshow]

Have you been to the new Stuttgart library? A group of members who had never been took a tour this past month and were amazed by much of what they saw.

From the mechanized carts that sort 8 floors worth of returned books to the self check out of laptops for use during a visit, you’ll find lots of impressive and forward-looking touches in the new library. It’s definitely worth a visit!

FAQ – Annual Charity Event 2012

As with every activity or event, there are always questions so please keep them coming by submitting yours in the form at the bottom of this page and we will answer them as quickly as possible. Some questions we have recently had are answered below:

What will the evening be like?
This elegant and sociable event will be very similar to last year, with delicious drinks and snacks (both warm and cold) served throughout the evening and dinner music during the first half of the evening. Later on, we’ll kick things up a notch and dance the night away to music from Mr. Mac’s Party Team. Included in the entrance fee are all non-alcoholic drinks, two alcoholic beverages as well as the seasonal “Flying Buffet.”

The WAC has a foyer and large hall for socializing and mingling as well as a cozy bar for quieter conversation.

There even is an outside space for our smoking guests.

What is the venue like? Is it part of a museum?
The venue is the main hall of the Württembergische Automobilclub e.V. in central Stuttgart, go to WAC1899.com for more information. The club was founded over one hundred years ago by Daimler, Maybach and Bosch.

It is not connected in any way to the Mercedes Museum and in a different part of the city altogether.

Is the event only for women or for members with partners?
In short: no! In fact, we would love to meet your partners and encourage you to bring your friends, both male and female, to make it a fun, sociable occasion.

Please do not hesitate to come “without a date” – many of our members also came alone last year and had a wonderful time.

How can we pay the entrance fee?
This year guests will have the choice of purchasing tickets in advance with cash or putting their name on our guest list and paying via bank transfer.

Members and prospective members may purchase tickets with cash at a monthly club meeting or evening get together.

If you would like to pay for your tickets online, please submit your RSVP using the form on the main event page and you will sent an email with our bank information.

How will money be raised for the Frauenhaus?
Corporate sponsorship and a portion of your ticket price will make up the bulk of our fundraising. Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase and those members who cannot attend the event are welcome to send a dedicated donation on behalf of Frauen helfen Frauen.

Unfortunately,  we will be unable to issue tax receipts for that portion of your entrance fee over and above the costs of the event, although receipts for additional cash and bank transfer donations will be available.

Where can I park on the evening of the event?
Our host, the WAC 1899, recommends that you park on Mörikestrasse, Humboldtstrasse, Hohenstauffenstrasse or Hohenzollernstrasse. All are in the immediate area surrounding the club.

What shall I wear?
This is a very good occasion to dress up a little and an opportunity to take your party outfit for a spin on the dance floor. Anything from a cocktail length dress to dressy black pants with a sparkly top works! While the event is an excellent opportunity to dress shop, don’t worry if you can’t or don’t want to. Just pretty yourself up a little and you will be fine!

How can I invite other people?
Friends, family members and the general public are all welcome to attend this event! Please feel free to share with them the main event page here on our website or our post on Facebook.

Is there something I can print off and hang on my office’s blackboard or give to my spouse or partner for his office’s blackboard?
Yes, we will have printable flyers available for members to distribute. Please contact us below or watch for updates in the club newsletter.

Any other questions? Please contact us using the form below. See you in November!

[contact-form subject=”Inquiry about the Annual Charity Event 2012″ to=”charity@iwcstuttgart.org”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Comment” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

International Dining Followup – Korean Cuisine

If you missed the Korean dinner in May but are curious about Korean cuisine, look no further than this very informative handout created by member Dorothee Klein for the guests at the dinner:

Caught between Japan and China, Korean food is a wonderful combination of the two, mixed with its own distinctive elements.

Korean cuisine originated from prehistoric traditions in the Korean peninsula evolving through a complex interaction of environmental, political, and cultural trends.

The food has a warming robustness that defies the winter ice and snow, most notably in its national dish: kim chi, a spicy pickle served at every meal.

Korean cuisine is largely based upon rice, vegetables, and meats. Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. The dishes are flavoured with soy sauce, ginger, bean paste and toasted sesame seeds, while the centre piece may be a steaming hotpot or thinly sliced meat, grilled at the table.

Meals are regulated by Korean cultural etiquette. Dining etiquette in Korea can be traced back to the Confucian philosophies of the Joseon period. The eldest male at the table was always served first, commonly served to them in the men’s quarters by the women of the house. Women usually dined in a separate portion of the house after the men were served. The eldest men or women always ate before the younger family members. The meal was usually quiet, as conversation was discouraged during meals. In modern times, these rules have become lax, as families usually dine together now and use the time to converse. Of the remaining elements of this decorum, one is that the younger members of the table should not pick up their chopsticks or start eating before the elders of the table or guests and should not finish eating before the elders or guests finish eating. Also, in Korea, unlike in China and Japan, the rice or soup bowl is not lifted from the table when eating from it.

This is due to the fact that each diner is given a metal spoon along with the chopsticks known collectively as sujeo. The use of the spoon for eating rice and soups is expected. There are rules which reflect the decorum of sharing communal side dishes; rules include not picking through the dishes for certain items while leaving others, and the spoon used should be clean, because usually diners put their spoons in the same serving bowl on the table. Diners should also cover their mouths when using a toothpick after the meal.

The table setup is important as well, and individual place settings, moving from the diner’s left should be as follows: rice bowl, spoon, then chopsticks. Hot foods are set to the right side of the table, with the cold foods to the left. Soup must remain on the right side of the diner along with stews. Vegetables remain on the left along with the rice, and kimchi is set to the back while sauces remain in the front

The manner of drinking alcoholic drinks at dining is significant in Korean dining etiquette. Each diner is expected to face away from the eldest male and cover his mouth when drinking alcohol. It is impolite for a king and his vassal, a father and his son, or a teacher and his student to drink face to face. Also, a guest should not refuse the first drink offered by host, and in the most formal situations, the diner should politely refuse twice a drink offered by the eldest male or a host. When the host offers for the third time, then finally the guest can receive it. If the guest refuses three times, drink is not to be offered any more.

Spicy fermented cabbage and spicy fermented radish / 김치, 깍두기

Kimchi is a staple of Korean life and many people include it in their meals three times a day. You can eat it by itself, or use it in so many different Korean recipes. When Koreans make kimchi, they make an effort to make the best kimchi possible and include many different kinds of ingredients depending on the region where they live.

Of course there are loads of differing recipes, this one is from allrecipes.com:

Ingredients:

2 heads Napa cabbage1 1/4 cups sea salt

1 tablespoon fish sauce

5 green onions, chopped

1/2 small white onion, minced

2 cloves garlic, pressed2 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

5 tablespoons Korean chile powder

Directions:

1. Cut the cabbages in half lengthwise and trim the ends. Rinse and cut into pieces about 2 inch square. Place the cabbage into large resealable bags and sprinkle salt on the leaves so they are evenly coated. Use your hands to rub the salt in to the leaves. Seal the bags and leave at room temperature for 6 hours.
2. Rinse the salt from the cabbage leaves and then drain and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the cabbage in a large container with a tight fitting lid. Stir in the fish sauce, green onions, white onion, garlic, sugar and ginger. Sprinkle the Korean chile powder over the mixture. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and rub the chile powder into the cabbage leaves until evenly coated. Seal the container and set in a cool dry place. Leave undisturbed for 4 days. Refrigerate before serving, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month (if it lasts that long!).

Another can be found at http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/UltimateKimchi.html

Maangchi posted hers at http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/nappa-cabbage-kimchi and says:

I usually put all my kimchi in the fridge except for a little bit in a small container. I like fresh kimchi, so this way the kimchi in the fridge ferments slowly and stays fresh, while the smaller container ferments faster and gets sour. I use this sour kimchi for making things like kimchi chigae where sour kimchi is better. Then, when the small container is empty, I fill it up again with kimchi from the big container. It takes a little management, but experiment and you’ll get the hang of it!

How do you know it’s fermented or not?
One or 2 days after, open the lid of the Kimchi container. You may see some bubbles with lots of liquids, or maybe sour smells. That means it’s already being fermented.

June partner organization events

Each month we let you know about events being planned by our partner organizations that we are aware of. Here’s what’s happening in June.

Forum der Kulturen
Click here for a monthly events calendar

The Children’s English Library
Full schedule

Cafe Merlin
European Championship Football (EM 2012) all month long
Full schedule

St. Catherine’s English Church
Full schedule

Partner organizations are other area groups that also serve the international community in Stuttgart and who have agreed to promote IWCS events to their membership. This listing is for information purposes only and opinions expressed at partner organization events do not necessarily reflect those of the IWCS Steering Committee.

If you are a local group serving the international community who would like to work together with us on cross-promotion, please contact us using the form below.

[contact-form subject=”Interested in working with IWCS as partner organization” to=”zdenka@iwcstuttgart.org”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Comment” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

Posted Recently in the IWCS Facebook Group

Here’s a round up of news links posted in our Facebook group for members last month.

If you are an IWCS member but haven’t yet joined our private conversation, please go to our group and ask to join.

I Come From Somewhere Else is a personal blog post from member Jamie Mueller about feeling like you are “from nowhere”.

Laura Lenz posted this article (in German) about a possible new twist in German tax law affecting spouses.

Anuradha Kipf gave us a tip about this Biergarten in Ostfildern that serves an American-style BBQ every Thursday evening throughout the summer months.

Lisa Cvejn asked about websites for cheap airfare and was given the following suggestions:
Cheaptickets.de
Skyscanner.de
Swoodoo.de
Whichbudget.com

Emily Born suggested using this photobook method to deal with storage of children’s artwork.

Jamie Miller posted this link to a blog about raising children bilingual.

The Importance of Being Earnest (and RSVPing!)

“I don’t need to RSVP…I’m sure they can fit just one more at the table.”

“I’m sure they won’t miss me tonight at the dinner if I don’t show up.”

“But I come every time, the host will surely know to count me in.”

Have you caught yourself making excuses like this recently instead of communicating with the host about an IWCS event? Here’s what we ask of members regarding signing up for events:

If you would like to attend an event – be sure to let the host know.

If you have already RSVPed and find yourself unable to attend at the last minute – just give the host a quick call or send her a text or Facebook message.

Here’s why it’s important:

1. If we don’t know you are coming, we can’t save a place for you. And in smaller venues with limited space, that could make the difference between everyone having comfortable seating or…not.

2. Even you are thinking “Ah, I’m just one person,” there are usually five other people thinking that exact same thing.

3. If more than 2 people don’t show up for a dinner without cancelling with the host (which happens pretty much every month), that empty table being saved for you stays empty and we feel pretty guilty watching the restaurant turn away business while we wait for people who may never come.

4. If the event is being held at a small place with limited seating, the host will need to know exactly how many people are coming to manage her wait list.

So if you plan to attend an outing, a dinner, or even a meeting in a small apartment, please be courteous to your host and ALWAYS let them know if you are coming or cancelling.

Looking forward to seeing you at an event soon!
Your IWCS Steering Committee

2012 Charity Committee Looking for Corporate Fundraising Help

Image courtesy of Dreamstime.com

One of the ways we can keep ticket prices low for our big charity event in November is by raising money from corporate donors.

Stuttgart is full of well-off companies we can ask for donations from, many of them international companies employing of the very kind of expats who often become members of our club. They usually have charity budgets with money earmarked for donation to the community. But if we never ask, they’ll never have the chance to say YES.

Someone has to make the effort to hunt down those companies and write those letters and do the necessary follow up. Could this be you?

If you think this is something you’d like to help with, please contact our Charity Coordinator, Dorothee Klein, using the form below.

[contact-form to=’dorothee.klein@web.de’ subject=’Corporate fundraising’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]