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====== Sater Frisian in Germany ======

==== Language designations: ====
  * In the language itself: Saterfriesisch (German), native: //Seeltersk//
  * [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#ISO 639-3|ISO 639-3]] standard: stq ((Eberhard, D. M., et al. (eds.) (2023). Saterfriesisch. //Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-sixth edition.//. [[https://www.ethnologue.com/language/stq]].)).
==== Language vitality according to: ====
^  [[https://en.wal.unesco.org/countries/germany/languages/ems-weser-frisian-saterland-frisian|UNESCO]]  ^ [[https://www.ethnologue.com/language/stq/|Ethnologue]] ^ [[http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/3052|Endangered Languages]]  ^  [[https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/sate1242|Glottolog]]  ^
|  {{:endangerment:yellow.png?nolink|Definitely endangered}}  |  {{:endangerment:orange.png?nolink|Endangered}}  |                             {{:endangerment:yellow.png?nolink|threatened}}  |  {{:endangerment:yellow.png?nolink|Shifting}}  |                                       
==== Linguistic aspects: =====
  * Classification: Indo-European → Germanic → Northwest Germanic → West Germanic → North Sea Germanic → Anglo-Frisian → Frisian → Sater Frisian (Ems-Weser Frisian).\\ For more information, see [[http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/sate1242|sate1242]] at [[http://glottolog.org/|Glottolog]]
  * Script: Latin

==== Language standardisation ====

Two linguists stand out in the language standardisation of Sater Frisian, namely, Pyt Kramer and Marron Fort. West-Frisian Pyt Kramer has developed the //Seelter Woudebouk// (Sater Frisian dicionary) from Sater Frisian to both West Frisian and German, published in 1961, and the //Näi Seelter Woudebouk, A-E// (New Sater Frisian Dictionary, A-E) in 1992. Moreover, he has written the //Kute Seelter Sproakleere// (short grammar of Sater Frisian), published in 1982 and 1996. The American linguist Marron Fort collected words while doing linguistic research over a span of 20 years in Saterland, and with this collection, he created a [[[[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#online_resources|Saterfriesisches Wörterbuch]] (Eng: Sater Frisian dictionary), published in 1980, which later was published online and as app.((Fort, M.(2000) //Das Neue Testament und die Psalmen in der osterlauwersfriesischen Ursprache des Saterlandes, Frieslands, Butjadingens, Ostfrieslands und der Groninger Ommelanden// [The New Testament and the Psalms in the original Ostlauwers Frisian language of the Saterland, Friesland, Butjadingen, Ostfriesland and the Groninger Ommelanden], [[http://oops.uni-oldenburg.de/620/1/653.pdf]].)) The work of Fort is also used as reference for school materials.((Litje Skoule Skäddel - Grundschule Scharrel. (n.d.). //Saterfriesisch//. Litje Skoule Skäddel - Grundschule Scharrel. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].)) [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Institutional support|The Seeltersk Kontoor]] has an [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Linguistics, grammars, dictionaries|additional wordlist]] to expand the vocabulary not covered in these dictionaries of Kramer and Fort. Words are introduced by the Saterland schools, Sater Frisian associations, work groups, etc. ((Seeltersk (2023, April 1). Neue Wörterliste Deutsch-Saterfriesisch. //Seeltersk// [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/neue-worterliste-deutsch-saterfriesisch/]].))   

In the period of 2021-2023, [[[[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#online_resources|Linguistics and Grammar of Sater Frisian]] have been described, intended for, among others, linguists and the Saterland language community.

===== Demographics =====

==== Language Area ====

Sater Frisian or //Seeltersk// is spoken in four villages in the municipality Saterland, within the district Cloppenburg, the state of Lower Saxony. These villages are Strücklingen (//Strukelje//), Ramsloh (//Roomelse//) and Scharrel (//Skäddel//) and Sedelsberg (//Sedelsbierich//). It was marked as the smallest "language island" in Europe according to the Guinness Book of Records in 1991.((Gemeinde Saterland (n.d.) //Saterfriesische Sprache// [Sater Frisian language]. [[https://www.saterland.de/kultur-freizeit/saterfriesische-sprache/]].)) \\ \\  
{{:languages:saterfriesisch.png?nolink&600|}} 

<sup>The map shows the location of Saterland. On the left, the district of Cloppenburg is marked in grey within Germany, and on the right, Saterland and the four villages are shown within Cloppenburg.((Heeringa, W. et. al (2015), //Cross-Linguistic Vowel Variation in Saterland: Saterland Frisian, Low German, and High German//, [[http://wjheeringa.nl/papers/icphs15b.pdf|Cross-Linguistic Vowel Variation in Saterland]].))</sup>

Saterland lay quite isolated, as it was surrounded by boggy moorland, and could only be reached via boat or in a dry spell up unto the start of the 19th century.((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto)) In the 19th century, the number of Lower German speakers expanded in Saterland, and in the 20th century, High German became more and more dominant, also due to emigrants of German descent. ((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto))\\ 
Sater Frisian is one of the three Frisian languages alongside West Frisian and North Frisian. Sater Frisian is the only variety of East Frisian alive today. ((Heeringa, W. et. al (2015), //Cross-Linguistic Vowel Variation in Saterland: Saterland Frisian, Low German, and High German//, [[http://wjheeringa.nl/papers/icphs15b.pdf|Cross-Linguistic Vowel Variation in Saterland]].)) The status of Sater Frisian as language or dialect was a point of discussion, because of its small number of speakers, and debate whether it belonged to the Frisian or German language families. ((Stellmacher, Dieter (1993), //Das Saterfriesische - eine Sprache in Niedersachsen?// [Sater Frisian - a language in Lower Saxony?] in Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik, Franz Steiner Verlag, pp. 280-91 [[http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40503855.pdf?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents|Das Saterfriesische]].)) It is now recognised as a minority language. The four main villages where it is spoken have mutually intelligible dialects. ((World Heritage Encyclopedia, //Saterland Frisian Language// Germany, [[http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/eng/saterland_frisian_language|World Heritage Encyclopedia]], [last accessed 10-12-2017].))((Council of Europe (2014). //European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Application of the Charter in Germany, 5th Monitoring Cycle//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806d8829]].)) \\ \\ 
{{:languages:frisian_languages_in_europe.svg.png?nolink&400|}} \\ 
<sub> The map shows the areas where West Frisian (dark blue), East Frisian (light blue) and North Frisian (blue) are spoken ((ArnoldPlaton. (2013) //Frisian languages in Europe.svg// Creative Commons: CC BY-SA 3.0)) </sub>\\





==== Speaker numbers ====

Estimates of speaker numbers vary between a 1000 and 2000, with some as high as 5000 (worldwide).((Moseley, Christopher (ed.)(2010). //Saterlandic//. Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 3rd edn. Paris, UNESCO Publishing. [[http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-346.html]].))((Endangered Languages Project (n.d.) //Saterfriesisch.// Endangered Languages Project. [[http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/3052]].))((Fort, M. (2001), //Reviewed Work: Das Saterland und das Saterländische by Dieter Stellmacher// [Review: Saterland and Saterlandic by Dieter Stellmacher] in Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik 68. Jahrg., H. 1, pp. 100-102 [[http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40504696.pdf?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents]].))((Seeltersk (n.d.). Q&A Saterfriesisch. //Seeltersk//.[[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/was-ist-saterfriesisch/]].)) Stellmacher (1998) conducted a study with his students in 1995, and the results showed that 4.058 people claimed that they understood Sater Frisian, and the number of active speakers was around 2.250, wich would be almost as high as a hundred years earlier (2.500)((Fort, M. (2001), //Reviewed Work: Das Saterland und das Saterländische by Dieter Stellmacher// [Review: Saterland and Saterlandic by Dieter Stellmacher] in Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik 68. Jahrg., H. 1, pp. 100-102 [[http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40504696.pdf?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents]].)) Though the absolute number of speakers remains relatively stable, the relative number decreases within Saterand, with 85% of the population who could speak the language around 1850, 50% in 1950, and 20% at the end of the 20th century. ((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto)) The relative numbers of speakers varies from village to village, with the lowest percentage in Sedelsberg. ((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto))

Sater Frisian has lost ground as a family language in favour of Low German of High German, and often, High German was spoken to counter presumed disadvantages at school to have Sater Frisian as first language. Nowadays, a decline in knowledge can be seen with the younger speakers.((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto)) 


----

====== Education of the language ======
===== History of language education: =====

In 1800 already, the use of Sater Frisian in education was advocated for (instead of High German) by Johann Hoche, as he believed the language would support pupils to learn, however, Sater Frisian was not incorporated in education until almost two centuries later, in the 1990s. ((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto)) 

In 1994, the Seelter Buund initiated the project //Seeltersk in dän Bäidenstuun// (Eng: Sater Frisian in the Kindergarten) to include Sater Frisian in pre-school education, run by volunteers. In 1999, Sater Frisian was recognised via the [[[[general_information:glossary_of_terms#European Charter for Regional and Minority languages|European Charter for Regional and Minority languages]], with undertakings for pre-school education and university/higher education. In 2000, it was reported that, for one hour per week, Sater Frisian was used (with consent of legal guardians) with children attending the five nursery schools within Saterland. ((Bundesrepublik Deutschland (2000).//Initial Periodical Report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 15 of the Charter -Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806c87ff]].)) 

Sater Frisian was not present at all in primary schools in 1988, although people would have supported it. ((Martinen, Hark et. al, (1988) //The North Frisian Language in Primary Education in North Frisia, Federal Republic of Germany: Die Nordfriesische Sprache im Unterricht Der Grundschulen in Nordfriesland//.Ljouwert, Leeuwarden: Fryske Akademy.)) In 1996, it was reported that Sater Frisian was offered for two hours a week in primary school, and no audiovisual teaching materials were available. ((Wilts, O. and Fort, M. (1996), //Nordfriesland und Saterland: Friesisch zwischen Meer Und Moor// [North Friesland and Saterland: Frisian between sea and bog], (Brüssel: Europäisches Büro für Sprachminderheiten), pp.28-48)). In 1998, the [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Lower Saxony School Act|Lower Saxon school act]] allowed to include Sater Frisian in education after pre-school. In 2010, the model project //Das Saterland als Modellregion für frühe Mehrsprachigkeit// (Eng:The Saterland as a model region for early multilingualism) was initiated. This project aims to educate (pre-)school teachers in the Sater Frisian language so that they can pass it on. ((Dein Niedersachsen (n.d.) //Saterland, Gemeinde mit eigener Sprache// [Saterland, municipality with an own language], [[https://www.dein-niedersachsen.de/regionen/saterland]].)) Since January 2012,  there are opportunities to have Sater Frisian included in certain classes as language of instruction in primary and secondary school (with consent legal guardians).((Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht [The region and the languages Low German and Sater Frisian in education], SVBl. 2019 Nr. 6, S. 288 (2019). [[http://www.nds-voris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VVND-224100-MK-20190601-SF&psml=bsvorisprod.psml&max=true]].))((Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat (2021). // Seventh periodical report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 15 of the Charter//. [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].))

In pre-schools, primary schools or secondary schools, the presence of Sater Frisian vary per school in Saterland, as schools are faced with challenges such as lack of teaching staff, class sizes, restrictive legal requirements, or the COVID-19 pandemic when classes in Sater Frisian were discontinued. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].))((Fertig, A. (2021, February 20). Corona laehmt Unterricht [Corona paralyzes education]. //General Anzeiger//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/Corona_laehmt_Unterricht_GA_2021_Feb_20.jpg]].)) ((Hemken-Wulf, R. (2021 May 8) Corona stoppt vorerst Saterfriesisch-Unterricht [Corona halts Sater Frisian education for now]. //Nordwest Zeitung.// [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/08052021-NWZ-Corona-stoppt-vorerst-Saterfriesisch-Unterricht.pdf]].))




===== Legislation of language education =====

==== Legislation on European Level ====

=== European Charter for Regional or Minority languages ===
\\ 
Sater Frisian is covered by the [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#European Charter for Regional or Minority languages|European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML)]] under [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#European Charter for Regional or Minority languages|Part II and Part III]] in //Niedersachsen// (Lower Saxony) since 1999. It encourages the use of Sater Frisian in pre-school, tertiary and adult education, as in Article 8, it recognises to:
  * 1.aiv: favour/encourage the provision (or a substantial part) of pre-school education; 
  * 1.eii: provide facilities for the study at tertiary level;
  * 1.fiii: favour/encourage the subject in adult/continuing education;
  * 1.g: ensure the teaching of the history and the culture;
  * 1.i: set up a supervisory body

In the 2022 report, the Committee of Experts considered a few undertakings had deteriorated, including those concerning pre-school education (marked "not-fulfilled") and tertiary education (marked "partly-fulfilled"). ((Council of Europe (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/min-lang-2022-7-germany-7th-er-en-final-public-en/1680a84130]].)) It therefore makes the following recommendations to: "[e]ncourage the provision of at least a substantial part of pre-school education in Sater Frisian and strengthen the educational offer for Sater Frisian at all appropriate levels," and to "[s]et up a supervisory body responsible for monitoring the progress achieved in the teaching of Sater Frisian and for drawing up public periodic reports of its findings" (p.43). ((Council of Europe (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/min-lang-2022-7-germany-7th-er-en-final-public-en/1680a84130]].))

=== Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities === 
\\ 
Germany has [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#Signature of a treaty|signed]] and [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#Ratifiacation of a treaty|ratified]] the [[[[general_information:glossary_of_terms#Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities|Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]], which has been in force since 1998. With it, Germany recognised
the national minorities of the Danes, of the Sorbian people and of the German Sinti and Roma, and the ethnic group of Frisians in Germany. ((Council of Europe (n.d.). //Germany//. [[https://www.coe.int/en/web/minorities/germany]].))

In the 2022 opinion, the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention encouraged " the authorities to further expand the offer of Sater Frisian teaching in day
care centres, schools and at university" (p.33). ((Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (2022). //Fifth Opinion on Germany.// [[https://rm.coe.int/5th-op-germany-en/1680a6e008]].))

====Legislation on national level ===

In Germany, four national minorities are recognised: the Frisians, the Danes, the German Sinti and Roma, and the Sorbs. Among the Frisians are the North Frisian and East Frisians (among them, Sater Frisians). ((Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat (2020). //Nationale Minderheiten Minderheitensprachen und die Regionalsprache Niederdeutsch in Deutschland// [National minorities Minority languages and the regional language of Low Saxon in Germany]. [[https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/DE/publikationen/themen/heimat-integration/nationale-minderheiten/minderheiten-und-regionalsprachen-vierte-auflage.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=8]].))((Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat (n.d.). //Nationale Minderheiten in Deutschland// [National minorities in Germany]. [[https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/heimat-integration/minderheiten/minderheiten-in-deutschland/minderheiten-in-deutschland-node.html]].))

The German school system is governed by the federal principles of the state, and each state is responsible for its educational system.

==== Legislation on Local Level====


=== Lower Saxony School Act ===

In 1998, Lower Saxony adopted the //[[http://www.nds-voris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=SchulG+ND&psml=bsvorisprod.psml&max=true&aiz=true#jlr-SchulGNDpP2|Niedersächsisches Schulgesetz]]// (Eng: Lower Saxony School Act) There, it is stated that pupils should be able to develop their possibilities further extend their language skills gained before school, and to understand, perceive and express, including the relevant regional form of Low German or Frisian.((Niedersächsisches Schulgesetz [Lower Saxony School Act], NSchG (1998). [[http://www.nds-voris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=SchulG+ND&psml=bsvorisprod.psml&max=true&aiz=true#jlr-SchulGNDpP2]].)) 

=== The Region and its Languages in Education ===

In 2011, Lower Saxony adopted the //[[https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/download/145591/Schulverwaltungsblatt_7_2019_-_Amtlicher_Teil.pdf|Die  Region  und  ihre  Sprachen  im Unterricht]]// (Eng: The Region and its Languages in Education). It promotes the continious inclusion and education of both Low German and Sater Frisian, and provides that primary schools and secondary schools (level I) can teach in Sater Frisian in selected subjects. Pupils who want to such classes, need approval of their legal guardians. ((Die  Region  und  ihre  Sprachen  im Unterricht [The Region and its Languages in Education], Erl. d. MK v.2011 – 21-82101/3-2 (2011).))

In 2021, the //Seelter Buund// (Eng: Sater Association) expressed to the Comittee of Experts (ECRML) that this decree should be renewed, with a focus on hours of instruction and pupil numbers.((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) 

===The Region and the Languages Low German and Sater Frisian in Education===

In 2019, Lower Saxony adopted the //[[http://www.nds-voris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VVND-224100-MK-20190601-SF&psml=bsvorisprod.psml&max=true|Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht]]// (Eng: The Region and the Languages Low German and Sater Frisian in Education). Based upon the previous 2011 act, this act provides the opportunity for primary schools to teach Sater Frisian in selected subjects within the compulsory curriculum (with the exception of German and foreign languages). The lessons are offered bilingually or by immersion. This learning path can be continued in secondary school, where the acts also provides the opportunity to use Sater Frisian in elective courses, compulsory elective courses or in compulsory elective subjects (with the exception of other languages). For students to enroll classes in Sater Frisian, permission is needed from their legal guardian. The Lower Saxony State School Authority supports the schools with advice.((Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht [The Region and the Languages Low German and Sater Frisian in Education], SVBl. 2019 Nr. 6, S. 288 (2019). [[http://www.nds-voris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VVND-224100-MK-20190601-SF&psml=bsvorisprod.psml&max=true]].))

In 2021, the //Seelter Buund// expressed to the Comittee of Experts (ECRML) that the consent of legal guardians (both stated in //Die  Region  und  ihre  Sprachen  im Unterricht// and //Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht//) means that in some years, there are too few pupils for these bilingual lessons to take place due to a ministerial decree on minimal class sizes. The //Seelter Buund// therefore wishes for more flexible rules to accomodate these situations. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) 


===== Institutional support for education of the language: =====

===Institutional support===
The [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#organisations|Seelter Buund]] aims to incorporate Sater Frisian in (pre-)primary schools, with the involvement of voluntary workers. They have been offering courses for adults as well.

The [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#organisations|Seeltersk Kontoor]], hosted by the Oldenburgischen Landschaft, operates in the fields of research, support, and emancipation of Sater Frisian language community, including political lobby work and project coördination. The office is coordinated by the scientific representative for Sater Frisian. In 2021, the //Oarbaidskring Seeltersk// (Eng: Sater Frisian Working group) was founded by the scientific representative for Sater Frisian, for active community members to meet and exchange ideas to initiate joint projects ((Seeltersk (2023, January 18) Seelter Oarbaids-Kring [Sater Frisian Working group]. //Seeltersk//[[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seelter-oarbaids-kring/]].)) In March 2023, the Seelter Buund wrote a letter to the Federal Ministry of the Interior to ask for the continuation of the position of the scientific representative for Sater Frisian, whose contract will end in November 2023. ((Seeltersk (2023, March 28). Seelter Buund empfiehlt Verstetigung der Beauftragtenstelle für Saterfriesisch [Seelter Buund recommends that the position of representative for Saterland Frisian be extended]. //Seeltersk//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seelter-buund-empfiehlt-verstetigung-der-beauftragtenstelle-fur-saterfriesisch/]].))

The Federal Ministry of the Interior has established the //[[https://www.minderheitensekretariat.de/en/|Minderheitensekretariat]]// (Eng: Minority Secretariat), as a liaison office for the associations of the four national minorities with the federal institutions ((Minderheitensekretariat (n.d.). Tasks and Activities. //Minderheitensekretariat.// [[https://www.minderheitensekretariat.de/en/activity-and-tasks/]].)). The associations of these minorities are represented in the //Minderheitenrat// (Eng: Minority Council). ((Minderheitensekretariat (n.d.). Tasks and Activities. //Minderheitensekretariat.// [[https://www.minderheitensekretariat.de/en/activity-and-tasks-minority-council/]].)) The Seelter Buund has a member in the Minority Council. The Minority Secretariat and the Minority Council represent the interests of the four minorities in Germany. ((Minderheitensekretariat (n.d.). Tasks and Activities. //Minderheitensekretariat.// [[https://www.minderheitensekretariat.de/en/activity-and-tasks/]].))


===Projects===

In 2010, a project //Seeltersk an do Skoulen in Seelterlound// (Eng: Sater Frisian at the schools in Saterland) was initiated. This project strives for all primary school children to have the choice to have Sater Frisian as language of instruction except for the subjects of German and English, or to have the one hour subject Sater Frisian. For this project, teacher training in Sater Frisian was the first step, which was funded by the //Niedersächsische Kultusministerium// (Eng: Lower Saxon Ministry of Culture) and the //Oldenburgische Landschaft//, //Universität Oldenburg// and the //Seelter Buund.// ((Wikiwand. (2022, July 25). //Seeltersk an do Skoulen// [Sater Frisian in school]. [[https://www.wikiwand.com/stq/Seeltersk_an_do_Skoulen]].)). 

In the period 2010/2012 to 2019, the model project //Ostfriesland und das Saterland als Modellregion für frühe Mehrsprachigkeit// (Eng: Ostfriesland and Saterland as a model region for early multilingualism) ran to promote early multilingualism and the use of Sater Frisian and Lower German in schools as language of instruction. For Sater Frisian, two primary schools were involved, namely //Litje Skoule Skäddel// and //Marienschule Strücklingen//. Overall, the project was well reveceived by the project initiators, coordinator, teachers and pupils. ((Kammler et al., (2019) //Dokumentation und Auswertung der Erfahrungen mit der Modellregion inklusive der Evaluation der Leistungen der bilingual unterrichteten Kinder (Leistungsvergleich)// [Documentation and evaluation of the experiences with the model region, including the evaluation of the performance of the bilingually taught children (performance comparison)]. [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PLATTDEUTSCHBUERO/TEXTDATEIEN/2019/Dokumentation_gesamt_.pdf]].))

=== Language Learning materials ===

In 2015 and 2016, the learning materials //Die Seelterfoaks – dät Bouk // (Eng: The Sater Frisian fox -the book; 2015) and //Seeltersk säikedät Säärm-moak-Bouk// (Eng: The Sater Frisian fox - the do-it-yourself book; 2016) were publsihed, in which the mascot, the Sater Frisian fox, explores the language and history.((Litje Skoule Skäddel (n.d. //Saterfriesisch//. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].)) ((Passman, H. (2015, December 22). Stolz auf ein gelungenes Werk [Proud of a job well done]. //NWZ Online//. [[https://www.nwzonline.de/bildung-beruf/stolz-auf-ein-gelungenes-werk_a_6,0,1745416986.html]].))

In 2019/2020, a CD was produced, //Sjung mäd uus// (Sing with us), with Sater Frisian children's songs, sung by children. 

In June 2022, the learning method //[[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Learning materials|Seeltersk lopt]]// (Eng: Sater Frisian walks) for years 1-4 was presented. The methodology was developed by Ingeborg Remmers and Edith Sassen, is based on the Lower German //Platt löpt// version, provides teachers' instructions and audio, and aims to bring children to A2 level according to the CEFR. The state of Lower Saxony provided €40,000 for this methodology. ((Seeltersk (2022, June 23). “Seeltersk lopt” – neue Schulbücher für Saterfriesisch präsentiert [“Seeltersk lopt” – new schoolbooks for Saterland Frisian presented]. //Seeltersk//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seeltersk-lopt-neue-schulbucher-fur-saterfriesisch-prasentiert/]].)) The Litje Skoule Skäddel and Seeltersk Kontoor have made it digitally available in 2023. ((Seeltersk (2023 March 7. Seeltersk lopt. //Seeltersk//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seeltersk-lopt/]].))

To use learning materials at schools, they have to be approved by the //Niedersächsisches Landesinstitut für schulische Qualitätsentwicklung, NLQ// (Eng: Lower Saxony State Institute for School Quality Development). In 2023, the learning method //Seeltersk lopt// has been approved to be used. ((Seeltersk (2023, March 27). “Seeltersk lopt” offiziell als Lehrmittel genehmigt ["Seeltersk lopt" officially approved as a teaching material. //Seeltersk//.[[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seeltersk-lopt-offiziell-als-lehrmittel-genehmigt/]].))

=== Teacher support ===

Since 2009, students in teacher training at the University of Oldenburg can take courses on Sater Frisian, as part of the Low-German specialisation. ((Council of Europe (2014). //European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Application of the Charter in Germany, 5th Monitoring Cycle//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806d8829]].))((Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat (2021). // Seventh periodical report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 15 of the Charter//. [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) ((Council of Europe (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/min-lang-2022-7-germany-7th-er-en-final-public-en/1680a84130]].)) Connected to this, the textbook [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#learning materials|Friesischer Sprachkurs : Seeltersk]] was published in 2011. ((Council of Europe (2014). //European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Application of the Charter in Germany, 5th Monitoring Cycle//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806d8829]].)) The Seelter Buund has expressed that higher education and teacher training institutions should work together concerning the training for (pre-)school teachers. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) Since 2014, the NLQ offers Sater Frisian certificate courses, in cooperation with the //Niedersächsisches Kultusministerium// and university of Oldenburg.

Connected to the project [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#projects|Ostfriesland und das Saterland als Modellregion für frühe Mehrsprachigkeit]], Sater Frisian courses were offered for the volunteers/teachers, with special attention to immersive lessons. ((Laing, H-J. (2010, November 6). Lehrer lernen Saterfriesisch [teachers learn Sater Frisian]. //NWZ//. [[https://web.archive.org/web/20120118234815/http://www.nwzonline.de/Region/Kreis/Cloppenburg/Saterland/Artikel/2469856/Lehrer+lernen+Saterfriesisch.html]].)) ((Kammler et al., (2019) //Dokumentation und Auswertung der Erfahrungen mit der Modellregion inklusive der Evaluation der Leistungen der bilingual unterrichteten Kinder (Leistungsvergleich)// [Documentation and evaluation of the experiences with the model region, including the evaluation of the performance of the bilingually taught children (performance comparison)]. [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PLATTDEUTSCHBUERO/TEXTDATEIEN/2019/Dokumentation_gesamt_.pdf]].))((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto))

For Sater Frisian, ECRML Article 8.1h, that is 'to provide the basic and further training of the teachers [...]' has not been ratified. Nonetheless, in 2022, the Committee of Ministers recommended, in general, to "ensure that a sufficient number of adequately trained teachers for regional or minority language education is available." ((Council of Europe (2022). //Recommendation CM/RecChL(2022)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/germnay-7th-cycle-cm-recommendation-germany-en/1680a9303e]].))

===Financial support===

The Seelter Buund receives around €2000 per year from the municipality of Saterland. The Seelter Buund is also responsible for the compensations for the people teaching Sater Frisian at pre-primary schools (the Seelter Buund can declare these costs at the municipalty since 2021). ((Seelter Buund (n.d.) //Über den Seelter Buund// [About the Seelter Buund]. [[https://www.seelterbuund.de/uber-den-seelter-buund/]].))((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) 

The Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture provides funding for [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#adult education|courses]]. In 2019, Lower Saxony provided €10,000 for two projects (total costs €29,000) to produce the [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Language Learning materials|CD]] with children's songs and extension of the app [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#learning materials|'Kleine Saterfriesen']]. In November 2020, Lower Saxony has provided financial support for the post of //wissenschaftlicher Beauftragter für Saterfriesisch// (Eng: scientific representative for Sater Frisian at the [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Organisations|Seeltersk-Kontoor]], at the Oldenburgische Landschaft. This representative aims to strengthen Sater Frisian with research, support, and emancipation of Sater Frisian language community. Since February 2023, a second staff member was appointed at Seeltersk-kantoor, for a year, to promote the use of the language and organise a conference in 2024. This second post is financed by the Oldenburgische Landschaft and the [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands#Institutes and organisations|Fryske Akademy]] (Eng: Frisian Academy, Netherlands). ((Fertig, A. (2023, February 25). Tjallien Kalsbeek auf Rettungsmission in Ramsloh [Tjallien Kalsbeek on rescue mission in Ramsloh]. //om-online//. [[https://www.om-online.de/om/tjallien-kalsbeek-auf-rettungsmission-in-ramsloh-154902]].))



===== Education presence =====

==== Pre-school education ====

Since 1994, the Seelter Buund has started a project //Seeltersk in dän Bäidenstuun// (Eng: Sater Frisian in the Kindergarten)) to include Sater Frisian in nursery schools with a weekly Sater Frisian activity group, which is lead by volunteers. In 2011, there were 140 children who attended the activity groups across the five nursery schools. ((Wikiwand. (n.d.). //Seeltersk in dän Bäidenstuun// [Sater Frisian in kindergarten]. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from [[https://www.wikiwand.com/stq/Seeltersk_in_d%C3%A4n_B%C3%A4idenstuun]].)) In 2021, the Seelter Buund reported that three out of six nursery schools routinely offer this activity group, and that the educational staff can be paid for their work, for the first time. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) 

There are several //Bäidenstuune//, nursery schools, where Sater Frisian has/had a place, f.e. with activity groups:
  * Pusteblume in //Roomelse//, Ramsloh ((Kindergarten Pusteblume (n.d.). Saterfriesisch [Sater Frisian]. //Kindergarten Pusteblume//. [[http://www.kiga-pusteblume-ramsloh.de/seite/91964/unsere-ziele.html]].))
  * Unterm Regenbogen in //Skäddel//, Scharrel ((Hellmann, W. (2020, August 22). Kleine Saterfriesen freuen sich über Geschenke [Little Sater Frisians are happy about presents]. //NWZ Online.// [[https://www.nwzonline.de/saterland/scharrel-brauchtum-kleine-saterfriesen-freuen-sich-ueber-geschenke_a_50,9,2730638098.html]].))
   * St. Jakobus-Bäidenstuun in //Roomelse//, Ramsloh ((NWZ Online (2014, May 14). Kleine Saterfriesen fertigen Blumenkränze und Flöten [Little Sater Frisians make wreaths of flowers and flutes]. //NWZ Online//. [[https://www.nwzonline.de/wirtschaft/kleine-saterfriesen-fertigen-blumenkraenze-und-floeten_a_14,7,2474516535.html]].))
   * St. Marien in //Seedelsbierich//, Sedelsberg ((NWZ Online (2011, June 25).  Kleine Saterfriesen sind gut gerüstet [Little Sater Frisians are well prepared]. //NWZ Online.// [[https://www.nwzonline.de/bildung-beruf/kleine-saterfriesen-sind-gut-geruestet_a_1,0,607026501.html]].))
  * St. Georg in //Strukelje//, Strücklingen

The new (2021) kindergarten //Seelterfoakse// in //Roomelse//, Ramsloh, also offers Sater Frisian, and is supported by the Seelter Buund and other kindergartens to set up the activity group ((Seeltersk (2021, August 2) Uk Seeltersk foar do Seelterfoakse [Also Sater Frisian for Seelterfoakse]. //Seeltersk//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/uk-seeltersk-foar-do-seelterfoakse/]].))

In the 2022 report, the Committee of Experts considered pre-school education in Sater Frisian "not sufficient to represent at least a substantial part of
education in this language" and therefore, consideres the undertaking "not fulfilled" (p.42).((Council of Europe (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/min-lang-2022-7-germany-7th-er-en-final-public-en/1680a84130]].))

==== Primary education ====

Since 1996, Sater Frisian is included on a voluntary base in primary schools of the municipalty Saterland, and schools can spend 265 hours per school year for teaching (about) the minority language ((Wikiwand. (2022, July 25). //Seeltersk an do Skoulen// [Sater Frisian in school]. [[https://www.wikiwand.com/stq/Seeltersk_an_do_Skoulen]].)). ((Schumacher S. (2014, December 19).„Plattdeutsche und Saterfriesische Schule“- Acht weitere Schulen in Niedersachsen ausgezeichnet ["Low German and Sater Frisian School" - Eight more schools in Lower Saxony awarded]. //Niedersächsisches Kultusministerium// [[https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/startseite/aktuelles/presseinformationen/plattdeutsche-und-saterfriesische-schule--acht-weitere-schulen-in-niedersachsen-ausgezeichnet-130200.html]].)) In 2011, 150 children attended Sater Frisian class, ten years later, in 2021, 95 pupils attended Sater Frisian classes either in immersion lessons or activity groups.((Wikiwand. (2022, July 25). //Seeltersk an do Skoulen// [Sater Frisian in school]. [[https://www.wikiwand.com/stq/Seeltersk_an_do_Skoulen]].)). ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) Due to the COVIC-19 pandemic, there has been a suspension of Sater Frisian classes in 2020 and 2021.((Fertig, A. (2021, February 20). Corona laehmt Unterricht [Corona paralyzes education]. //General Anzeiger//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/Corona_laehmt_Unterricht_GA_2021_Feb_20.jpg]].)) ((Hemken-Wulf, R. (2021 May 8) Corona stoppt vorerst Saterfriesisch-Unterricht [Corona halts Sater Frisian education for now]. //Nordwest Zeitung.// [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/08052021-NWZ-Corona-stoppt-vorerst-Saterfriesisch-Unterricht.pdf]].)) The primary schools make use of the available [[[[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Language Learning materials|learning materials]].

Since early 2025, all four primary schools in Saterland offer Sater Frisian ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].))((Seeltersk Kontoor. (2025, January 14). //Schulkinder in Sedelsberg lernen nun auch Saterfriesisch //[School children in Sedelsberg also learn Saterfrisian now]. Seeltersk. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/schulkinder-in-sedelsberg-lernen-nun-auch-saterfriesisch/]].)). These are:
  * [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html|Litje Skoule]] in //Skäddel// / Scharrel, offers Sater Frisian in immersive lessons (year 1) and within an activity group (years 1-4)
  * [[https://www.marienschule-struecklingen.de/seite/137418/saterfriesisch.html|Marienschule]] in //Strukelje// / Strücklingen, offers Sater Frisian within an activity group (years 1-3), but no longer offers immersive lessons  
  * [[http://www.grundschule-ramsloh.de/seite/107334/saterfriesisch.html|Grundschule Ramsloh]] in //Roomelse// / Ramsloh, offers Sater Frisian within an activity group  (1 year)
  * [[https://algsedelsberg.edupage.org/|Astrid-Líndgren-Grundschule]] in //Seedelsbierich// /Sedelsberg, after an interval of 10 years due to the absence of a teacher, the school started the Saterfrisian activity group in 2025, with a teacher and a volunteer language assistant ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].))((Seeltersk Kontoor. (2025, January 14). //Schulkinder in Sedelsberg lernen nun auch Saterfriesisch //[School children in Sedelsberg also learn Saterfrisian now]. Seeltersk. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/schulkinder-in-sedelsberg-lernen-nun-auch-saterfriesisch/]].))

In three primary schools, the teachers are supported by language assistants. Language training for the assistance is offered by the Seeltersk Kontoor.

=== activity groups===
On a voluntary basis (legal permission of the pupil's guardian), children can take part in activity groups at school (years 1-4), for one hour a week ((Litje Skoule Skäddel (n.d. //Saterfriesisch//. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].)). These groups aim to support bilingualism, for children to become familiar with the language, and to increase the pupils' listening and speaking skills, with a lesser emphasis on reading and writing skills. This is done with themetic lessons, which concern e.g. seasons, clothing, pets, parts of the body, festivals, etc.((Marienschule Strucklingen (n.d.) //Saterfriesischunterricht an der Marienschule Strucklingen//. [[https://daten2.verwaltungsportal.de/dateien/seitengenerator/saterfriesischunterricht_an_der_marienschule.pdf]].))((Litje Skoule Skäddel (n.d. //Saterfriesisch//. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].))

=== immersion lessons ===
On a voluntary basis (legal permission of the pupil's guardian), a school can offer immersion lessons. Two schools, namely Litje Skoule and Marienschule, have implemented such lessons, for example with mathemetics (5 hours a week) or music as immersive subject (1 hour a week).((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto)) Nonetheless, there are issues to implement these immersive classes. Due to a lack of staff, the Marienschule no longer can offer this option, and the Litje Skoule cannot offer this when classes are too small and not enough pupils have consent of their legal guardians for these immersion lessons. ((Peters, Jörg. (2020). Saterfriesisch. In: Pedersen, K.M., & Stolberg, D. (Eds.), //Handbuch der Sprachminderheiten in Deutschland// [Handbook of linguistic minorities in Germany] (pp.139-171).Narr Francke Attempto))((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) The Seelter Buund has expressed their concerns about teacher training, staff and the legal consent towards the Comittee of Experts (ECRML). Concerning class size and legal consent, the Seelter Buund wishes for more flexible rules to accomodate these situations. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) 



===projects ===
Sater Frisian is also included and/or taught in school projects, activities or events, such as:
  * [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#Institutional support for education of the language:|Ostfriesland und das Saterland als Modellregionen für frühe Mehrsprachigkeit]]: In the period 2010/2012 to 2019, this project promoted early multilingualism and the use of Sater Frisian in schools as language of instruction. Two primary schools were involved, namely //Litje Skoule Skäddel// and //Marienschule Strücklingen//. ((Kammler et al., (2019) //Dokumentation und Auswertung der Erfahrungen mit der Modellregion inklusive der Evaluation der Leistungen der bilingual unterrichteten Kinder (Leistungsvergleich)// [Documentation and evaluation of the experiences with the model region, including the evaluation of the performance of the bilingually taught children (performance comparison)]. [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PLATTDEUTSCHBUERO/TEXTDATEIEN/2019/Dokumentation_gesamt_.pdf]].))
  * //Lesewettbewerb// (Eng: reading contest). A biennial reading contest is held, organised by the //Oldenburgische Landschaft//, in which several schools compete for the best reader (years 3 and 4). In 2023, the 29th edition of this competition is organised. ((Oldenburgische Landschaft (2023, January 22). Lääswettstriet 2023. //Oldenburgische Landschaft//https://www.oldenburgische-landschaft.de/laeaeswettstriet-2023-erste-infos/]].)) Several schools participate(d), e.g. Litje Skoule, Marienschule, Grundschule Ramsloh. ((Marienschule Strücklingen (n.d.). Seelterfräiske Skoule. //Marienschule Strücklingen//. [[https://www.marienschule-struecklingen.de/seite/137418/saterfriesisch.html]].))((Litje Skoule Skäddel (n.d. //Saterfriesisch//. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].))((Grundschule Ramsloh (2021). //Grundschüler auch auf Saterfriesisch textsicher//. [[http://daten2.verwaltungsportal.de/dateien/seitengenerator/c6aa0aaa7bdc8d0d8e15cae9ed0ba02075325/saterfriesischer_vorlesewettbewerb_mai_2021_zeitungsbericht.pdf]].))
  * //Fräindai is Seelterdai// (Eng: Friday is Sater Frisian day). Every Friday of September, the whole school has a Sater Frisian activity. Several schools implement(ed) this project, e.g. Litje Skoule, Marienschule, Grundschule Ramsloh. ((Litje Skoule Skäddel (n.d. //Saterfriesisch//. [[http://www.grundschule-scharrel.de/seite/196926/saterfriesisch.html]].))((Marienschule (2019, September 9). //Fräindai is Seelterdai//. [[https://www.marienschule-struecklingen.de/news/1/521901/nachrichten/fr%C3%A4indai-is-seelterdai.html]].))((Homes, N. (2017, September 11).  „Fluchste Gebuursdaisfier" im Ramsloher Kalssenzimmer. //GA-online//. [[https://www.ga-online.de/artikel/308385/Fluchste-Gebuursdaisfier-im-Ramsloher-Kalssenzimmer]].))

===visibility of Saterfrisian ===
Since April 2023, schools in Saterfriesland have made Saterfrisian more visible with inscriptions on the doors in the building. Litje Skoule in //Skäddel// / Scharrel was the first((Seeltersk (2023, April 17). Saterfriesische Beschriftungen in der Litje Skoule Skäddel [Sater Frisian inscriptions in the Litje Skoule Skäddel] //Seeltersk.// [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/saterfriesische-beschriftungen-in-der-litje-skoule-skaddel/]].)), and the Astrid-Líndgren-Grundschule]] in //Seedelsbierich// /Sedelsberg was the fourthand last primary school to do so ((Seeltersk Kontoor. (2025, January 14). //Schulkinder in Sedelsberg lernen nun auch Saterfriesisch //[School children in Sedelsberg also learn Saterfrisian now]. Seeltersk. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/schulkinder-in-sedelsberg-lernen-nun-auch-saterfriesisch/]].)). 


===Seelterfräiske Skoule===
The two primary schools Litje Skoule and Marienschule have a certifite as //Seelterfräiske Skoule// (Eng: Sater Frisian school), for their outstanding and long-term services for Sater Frisian, handed out by the //Niedersächsisches Kultusministerium//. ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen (2022). //„Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schulen “ in Niedersachsen (Übersicht der zertifizierten Schulen 2013-2022).// [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/fileadmin/4_Allgemeinbildung/Unterrichtsfaecher/Niederdeutsch/Dateie/Gesamtu__bersicht_Plattdeutsche_Saterfriesische_Schulen_2013-2022_RA_LK.pdf]].))((Bundesministerium des Innern für Bau und Heimat (2021). // Seventh periodical report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 15 of the Charter//. [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].))


==== Secondary education ====

Sater Frisian can be taken as optional subject or in immersion, on a voluntary base, in secondary schools.((Die  Region  und  ihre  Sprachen  im Unterricht [The Region and its Languages in Education], Erl. d. MK v.2011 – 21-82101/3-2 (2011).)) There are two secondary schools in Saterland. Both partake in the //Lesewettbewerb// (Eng: reading competition). ((HRS Saterland (n.d.). Saterfriesisch, Saterländisch, Seeltersk. //HRS Saterland//. [[https://hrs-saterland.de/schulleben/saterfriesisch/]].))((Laurentius-Siemer-Gymnasium (n.d.). Saterfriesisch. //Laurentius-Siemer-Gymnasium//. [[https://www.lsg-ramsloh.de/index.php/faecher/saterfriesisch.html]].))

[[https://hrs-saterland.de/schulleben/saterfriesisch/|Haupt- und Realschule Saterland]] in //Roomelse//, Ramsloh offered Sater Frisian as voluntary subject at the Realschüle (type of secondary school, until year 10), but not at the Hauptschüle (type of secondary school, until year 9)((Wikiwand. (2022, July 25). //Seeltersk an do Skoulen// [Sater Frisian in school]. [[https://www.wikiwand.com/stq/Seeltersk_an_do_Skoulen]].)), but, due to a lack of teachers, this has been cancelled since 2016.((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) One teacher organises a Sater Frisian activity twice a year, in the textiles programme of year 5.  

[[https://www.lsg-ramsloh.de/index.php/faecher/saterfriesisch.html|Laurentius-Siemer-Gymnasium]] in //Roomelse//, Ramsloh offered an elective Sater Frisian course, but, due to a lack of teachers, this has been cancelled since 2018. ((Evers, J., & Schramm, K-P. (2021). //Comments by the Seelter Buund (Sater Frisians) on the Seventh Report of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.// [[https://rm.coe.int/germanypr7-en/1680a38525]].)) In June 2023, a guest lecture, an introduction to the language and history of Saterland, was given by the //Seeltersk-Kontoor//, in collaboration with the //Oarbaidskring Seeltersk// and the //Seelter Buund//((Seeltersk (2023, June 8). Saterfriesisch in den Schulen [Sater Frisian in schools].// Seeltersk Kontoor. //[[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/saterfriesisch-in-den-schulen/]].)).



==== higher education/university education====

At the [[https://uol.de/germanistik/niederdeutsch|Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg]] in Oldenburg  course in Sater Frisian has been offered since 2009, for teacher students, within the Germanic department, with a specialisation in Low Saxon. ((Council of Europe (2014). //European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Application of the Charter in Germany, 5th Monitoring Cycle//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806d8829]].)) The university has also been involved in [[languages:saterfrisian_in_germany#History of language education|the project]], //Das Saterland als Modellregion für frühe Mehrsprachigkeit//.((Council of Europe (2014). //European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Application of the Charter in Germany, 5th Monitoring Cycle//. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806d8829]].)) In the 2022 report, the Committee of Experts considered the undertakings as "only partly fulfilled", due to its place within the German studies and specialisation of Low Saxon (p.42).((Council of Europe (2022). //Seventh Evaluation Report on Germany//. [[https://rm.coe.int/min-lang-2022-7-germany-7th-er-en-final-public-en/1680a84130]].))

Occasionaly, higher education institutes such as the Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität in Münster and the NHL Stenden Hogeschool in Leeuwarden (the Netherlands) have offered Sater Frisian courses. ((Seeltersk (n.d.). Q&A Saterfriesisch. //Seeltersk//.[[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/was-ist-saterfriesisch/]].))
==== Adult education ====

The Seelter Buund, in collaboration with Seeltersk Kontoor, organises beginner and advanced Sater Frisian courses. In 2023, these courses without a participation fee, as the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture provides the funding ((Seeltersk (2023, February 16). Saterfriesischkurse im Jahr 2023 ausgebucht [Saterland Frisian courses fully booked in 2023]. //Seeltersk//. [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/saterfriesischkurs-im-jahr-2023/]].)) 

A Sater Frisian course is also offered at the //Folks Volkshochschule für die Stadt und den Kreis Leer e.V// (Eng: adult education centre for the region of Leer) ((VHS Leer (n.d.). Saterfriesisch - Fortsetzung [Sater Frisian - continuation]. //VHS Leer.//[[https://www.vhs-leer.de/programm/sprachen/kw/bereich/kursdetails/kurs/2312641941/kursname/Saterfriesisch%20-%20Fortsetzung/kategorie-id/133/]].))

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===== Learning resources =====

==== Organisations ====
  * [[https://www.seelterbuund.de| Seelter Bund]] Organisation founded in 1952 for the promotion of Sater Frisian. Activities include language courses and community events. 
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/|Seeltersk-Kontoor]]  Organisation for the //Oldenburgischen Landschaft// for research, support, and emancipation of Sater Frisian language community, including political lobby work and project coördination, lead by the scientific representative for Sater Frisian. It also initiated:
    * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seelter-oarbaids-kring/|Seelter Oarbaids-Kring]] Sater Frisian Working group for active community members to meet and exchange ideas to initiate joint projects.
    * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/sprachausbau-neue-worterliste/|Toal-Normierengs-Truppe (TNT)]]: Language standardisation team to draw up thematic lists of words for the classroom.
  * [[http://www.interfriesischerrat.de/index.php/de/?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=2|Fräiske Räid]] Frisian Council: umbrella organisation for Sater, West & North Frisian organisations. 


==== Online resources ====

===Linguistics, grammars, dictionaries===

   * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/2023-01-Seeltersk-SPRACHLEHRE-DES-SATERFRIESISCHEN.pdf|Sprachlehre des Saterfriesischen 2022-2023]] Linguistics of Sater Frisian 2022-2023 (German)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/SPRACHLEHRE-DES-SATERFRIESISCHEN-2022.pdf|Sprachlehre des Saterfriesischen 2022]] Linguistics of Sater Frisian 2022 (German)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/wp-content/uploads/GRAMMATIK-DES-SATERFRIESISCHEN-VERSION-DEZ-2021.pdf|Grammatik des Saterfriesischen]] Grammar of Sater Frisian (replaced by //Sprachlehre des Saterfriesischen 2022-2023//; German)  
  * [[http://www.saterfriesisches-wörterbuch.de/|Saterfriesisches wörterbuch]] online dictionary Sater Frisian <-> German (by Fort)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/saterfriesisch-deutsch/|Seelter Woudebouk: Paat Seeltersk-Düütsk]] dictionary Sater Frisian <-> German (by Kramer)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/saterfriesisch-westfriesisch/|Seelter Woudebouk: Seeltersk-Wäästfräisk]] dictionary Sater Frisian <-> West Frisian (by Kramer)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/neue-worterliste-deutsch-saterfriesisch/|Neue Wörterliste Deutsch-Saterfriesisch]]: additional wordlist to expand the vocabulary not covered in the dictionaries of Fort and Kramer 
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/nachschlagewerke-von-pyt-kramer/|The digital collection by Pyt Kramer]] Sater Frisian dictionaries, wordlists and grammar.
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/vogelnamen/| saterfriesischen Wörterbüchern viele Vogelnamen]] Bird names (German - Sater Frisian)

===Learning materials===
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seeltersk-lopt/|Seeltersk lopt]] School books (2022) for years 1-4, including audio (Sater Frisian-German)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/online-saterfriesisch-lernen/|Online Saterfriesisch lernen: Friesischer Sprachkurs Seeltersk]] Learn Sater Frisian online (German)
  * [[https://seeltersk-kursus.oostfraeisk.org/|Seeltersk - Kurs Saterfriesisch - Sater Frisian Course - Kursus Sóóterfräisk - Cursus Saterfries]] 15 lessons Sater Frisian (Dutch, English, German, West Frisian)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/seeltersk-lernen/|Seeltersk lernen]] collection of learning materials
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/seeltersk-moaket-klouk/|lessons Seeltersk moaket klouk 2022]] (Eng: Saterfrisian is cool): Thematic educational materials, concerning school, seasonal vegetables, and making waffles.
  * [[http://www.saterland.de/portal/meldungen/pressebericht-10-2016-sprache-lebendig-machen-spielerisch-saterfriesisch-lernen-mit-wimmelspiel-app-900000129-22001.html|Wimmelspiel]]: app for iOS and Android was created for 3 to 6 year old children as well as for adults to start learning Sater Frisian
  * [[https://www.saterland.de/portal/seiten/saterfriesische-sprache-900000015-22001.html|Kleine Saterfriesen]]: app for iOS and Android for 3-6 year old children for learning the language
  * [[https://learningapps.org/user/seelterapps|Seelterapps]]: practice materials for primary school students
 
===Other===
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/digitalisierung-wissenschaftlicher-werke/|Digitalisierung wissenschaftlicher Werke]] Digitalised scientific resources(English, German, Sater Frisian, West Frisian)
  * [[https://www.seeltersk.de/archiv/videos-vom-saterfriesischbeauftragten/| Videos vom Saterfriesischbeauftragten]] Videos from the Saterfriesischbeauftragten about various aspects on the language and community (German, Sater Frisian, West Frisian)