Skip to main content

Beginning German (101-3-21)

Instructors

Robert Gary Ryder
847/491-8295
Kresge 3-327

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

In this course, we offer students a truly communicative approach that supports proficiency. Students will use German in a meaningful way in classes that will require active participation.
By the end of the quarter, students will have been introduced to all four cases in German, the communicative and narrative past, and the subjunctive voice. Students will read short fairy tales and have achieved enough proficiency in German to advance to the intermediate level.

Registration Requirements

Students must have successfully completed German 101-2. Graduate Students should kindly request a permission number from the department.

Learning Objectives

The following Can-Do statements define the course expectations and learning objectives. Here is what you can expect to be able to accomplish in this course:

Listening: I can recognize high frequency vocabulary and basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading: I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.

Spoken Interaction: I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I'm trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Spoken Production: I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.

Writing: I can write a short, simple postcard. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form. I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter or describe personal routines and plans. I can write a short skit.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1)

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

Attendance
Class participation
Exams
Homework
Listening exercises
Project, final
Quizzes
Readings
Writing assignments

Class Materials (Required)

Kontakte + Connect access 9th edition, McGraw Hill, 2021
Authors: Erwin Tschirner and Brigitte Nikolai
eBook ISBN: 9781260393781