Beginning German (101-1-23)
Instructors
Sean Miles Gordon
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-319: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
In this course, you will begin speaking German on the first day. We offer you a truly communicative approach that supports proficiency and will have you using German in a meaningful way. Class will be engaging and require you to participate actively. We call on each of you to attend class with a positive attitude, flexibility, patience, and a good sense of humor!
Our instruction will employ a variety of means, ranging from short grammar drills to dialogue-building, group work, and role-playing. In each class, all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) will be practiced, always with the goal of enhancing students' communicative competence and advancing proficiency. Various methods and forms of engagement are targeted toward meeting the needs of different learning styles in a given classroom. Classroom activities will include individual, partner, and group work and will be complemented by homework exercises. An oral interview will be given in lieu of a final exam.
Registration Requirements
This is a beginning/entry level course. If you have acquired some previous knowledge of German in high school, spoken German at home, or learned German abroad, you are required to take a placement exam. Please consult the university's web page in order to access the test at http://placement-test.mmlc.northwestern.edu
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 by the end of the quarter:
Listening: I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly. I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, studies). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
Reading: I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues. 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. I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday language.
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 familiar topics. I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges.
Spoken Production: I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know. I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background, my studies and my daily routines.
Writing: I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. 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 and simple biographies.
Teaching Method
Seminar
Evaluation Method
Attendance
Class participation
Exams
Group work
Homework
Listening exercises
Quizzes
Writing assignments
Class Materials (Required)
Kontakte + Connect access 9th edition, McGraw Hill, 2021
Authors: Erwin Tschirner and Brigitte Nikolai
eBook ISBN: 9781260393781