Classes:
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Introductory Czech for Adults
Intermediate Czech
and Advanced Czech Conversation
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Beginning Slovak
Intermediate Slovak
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Language Classes include
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Culture
and Traditions
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Tuition:
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Language Classes — Association Members $70.00
Language Classes — Non-Members $90.00
(become a member)
Textbooks and tapes are additional.
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Class Dates And Times:
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9:00am through 11:00am or
11:30am through 1:30pm
Classes meet for eleven Saturdays
Beginning September 12, 2009.
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Location:
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Maryland School for the Blind
3501 Taylor Avenue
Parkville, Maryland 21236
Need directions?
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Registration:
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Registration will be held in Newcomer Hall
of the Maryland School for the Blind.
Preregistration by mail is encouraged.
A preregistration form can be obtained
from the
Class Details Page.
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The Language School is open to anyone
(elementary school students through elders)
interested in learning the Czech and Slovak languages, history, and culture.
All are welcome regardless of race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin.
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History:
CSHA's Czech and Slovak Language School began in 1989
when Herman Chyba approached the late Milada Vanicek to
be the teacher of Czech at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Rectory
at Ashland and Chester. One of the original students, Bohumil Zajicek, is still attending
classes. Mrs. Vanicek continued teaching, with a short break, until her death
in 1998. In 1993, the school moved to the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church
in Lutherville. Due to our growth at that time, Lois Hybl assumed
responsibility for coordinating the school. With the help of CSHA member, Fred
Dvorak, Jr., the school moved to the Maryland School for the Blind in Parkville in 1996.
As Mrs. Vanicek's students became
more advanced, Dolores Gentes began her 17 years of teaching the beginning
Czech class, and her late husband Harold "Pete" Gentes began serving
as an assistant, coordinating the serving of coffee and refreshments. The
school owes much to Dolores and Pete for their long and dedicated service.
Later, Pete used his extensive Bohemian glass and craft collection to educate
students, first during short breaks, then in a special course on Bohemian
glass. Albert Hybl is now the assistant.
Over the years, intermediate or advanced Czech students benefited from former
teachers Jana Hlustik, Pavel Maruska, Mildred Novotny, Lenka Pedersen, Roman
Thein, Marketa Traband, Michaela Trnkova, Eva Vacca, and Irene Vincent. One
spring, high school intern Peggy Fulda taught a children's class. Currently,
Mary Lou Walker and Iva Zicha teach the intermediate and advanced students
The language school began offering
Slovak in 1994 with Miriam Halamova as teacher. Our other past teachers of
Slovak were Anna Losovsky, Michael Myers and Juraj Duracka. Today
Natalie Karlinsky teaches the beginning and intermediate Slovak classes.
In 2002, Mrs. Karlinsky's class published a book, Slovak
Marylanders, about their Slovak-American families.
During some fall semesters, G. Edward
Horak has taught a Czech and Slovak History course, alternating between history
up to 1848 and history from 1848 to the present.
Those who visit the Language School Table
at our fall festivals, will meet Bill Schuman and Rena Vanicek-Schuman,
daughter of the late Milada Vanicek, the beloved first Czech language teacher
in our school. We appreciate their help with book sales and information.
Education in Czech and Slovak history
and culture has reached beyond the walls of the Czech and Slovak Language School.
Dolores and Pete Gentes responded to requests for exhibits at school
international fairs and senior centers. At one such event in 1994, they had
Annette Conlan and Joe Vrzalik demonstrate Sokol gymnastics.
They spent long weekends with their displays at the fall ethnic festivals
at Essex Community College. At the Festival of Trees at the Timonium Fairgrounds,
they set up a display of a typical Czech home at Christmas. Our files contain a certificate
of appreciation from the Maryland Department of Aging for an exhibit at Senior
Appreciation Day at the Maryland State Fair in 1999.
Fall and spring semester classes in
the Czech and Slovak Language School are held Saturdays on the campus
of the Maryland School for the Blind, 3501 Taylor Avenue, Parkville, Maryland. The school is open
to anyone interested in learning about Czech and Slovak languages, history, and
culture. For more information, contact Dolores Gentes, 410-435-1317, Lois Hybl
at 410-243-1710, lhybl@verizon.net, see our organization website at
www.czslha.org, or watch for registration forms in the HLAS or at the
Language School Table at the festival.
The school has been more than a
language-learning experience. The dedication of our teachers and the
opportunity to share delicious food and experiences with 40-50 students each
semester have made these Saturdays memorable cultural and social experiences.
Lois Hybl, revised 2008
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