I just found out that German is the 4th most spoken language in Arizona, following English (official), Spanish, and Navajo. It is taught at the University of Arizona (bachelor’s and master’s levels, with a Ph.D. in Transcultural German), and at Pima Community College (bachelor’s degree) at three campuses: Downtown, West, and Northwest.

The German language is also taught at least at eight high schools in Tucson: Amphi, Canyon del Oro, Cholla, Empire, Flowing Wells, Mountain View, Rincon, and University High.

On the elementary school level, I believe the only offering in bilingual German/English is at the private, well renowned International School of Tucson, at 1730 N. First Ave. Ages taught at that school are 3 to 11.

German Americans were some of the earliest immigrants to America, and now comprise 17% (2000 census) of the U.S. population, over 51 million people. But that probably doesn’t account for inter-marriage, prevalant nowadays.

German is spoken in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, parts of America, and a little in Luxembourg, Alsace and Lorraine (both in France), a little in Denmark, a solid group in Romania and Russia, and in southern Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.

I myself am married to a Native German professor and it has opened up my world to an appreciation of the German language and culture. I’ve audited German 101 and 102 at the University of Arizona (German Studies Dept.), and have studied German informally as well.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Ja, ein bisschen.
(Do you speak German? Yes, a little).