- Gondwana Desert Collection/ News 2004



		News 2004 News 28.09.04


		Learning German at Fish River Canyon - 28.09.04 Six second-year students from the Helmut Bleks Foundation, Baumgartsbrunn (west of Windhoek), were introduced to the day-to-day routine at the accommodation establishments of Gondwana Cañon Park. They were divided between the Cañon Roadhouse, Cañon Village and Cañon Lodge. All trainees went through a rigorous schedule, ranging from housekeeping to preparation work in the kitchen.

		Our education department therefore initiated a partnership with the Pedagogic High School of Freiburg, which allows aspiring teachers to do their practical training in Namibia. Since these teachers have German for adult foreigners as their main course, it fits in perfectly with Gondwana's needs.

		Stefanie Bischoff during one of her German lectures.

		Each employee was allowed to enrol for beginner or advanced classes in February 2004. Dorothée Brenner then took them for two months to determine their level of German regarding grammar and conversational skills. Needless to say that beside hard work there was also lots of fun and laughter.

		In November Stefanie Bisschof joined Gondwana to take the employees to the next level i.e. grammar in the working environment and in interaction with the guests. For two and a half months employees attended classes twice a week and quite few made use of the extra opportunity of private tuition on Saturdays. Emphasis was put on conversational skills needed in the hospitality industry as applicable to Namibia and in the family situation. The course was rounded off with a written and an oral examination. Course participants received their certificates during a special ceremony attended by various guests and enjoyed by all.

		Now that the course has been completed you will find employees putting their newly acquired skills to the test wherever possible. And the teachers may have returned to Germany, but they have most certainly left a piece of their heart in Gondwana Canon Park.


		- For more on the training programme see: - Gondwana Concept/Training.