Course Overview
This syllabus is designed to guide students through the basics of the German language, covering key linguistic skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The course is divided into four levels: Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level focuses on building the foundation and gradually enhancing language proficiency.
Course Objectives
- Develop basic conversational skills in German.
- Understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases.
- Read and comprehend simple texts.
- Write short paragraphs and simple texts.
- Gain insight into German culture and traditions.
Materials
- Textbook: “Deutsch: Na klar!” by Robert Di Donato
- Workbook: “Practice Makes Perfect: Basic German” by Ed Swick
- Online Resources: Duolingo, Memrise, Deutsche Welle (DW) Learn German
Level 1: Beginner (A1)
Unit 1: Introduction to German
- Topics: Alphabet, Pronunciation, Greetings, Introducing oneself
- Grammar: Nouns and articles, Personal pronouns, Verb “sein” (to be)
- Vocabulary: Numbers, Days of the week, Basic adjectives
Unit 2: Everyday Life
- Topics: Daily routines, Family, Telling time
- Grammar: Present tense regular verbs, Question words
- Vocabulary: Family members, Common verbs, Time expressions
Unit 3: Shopping and Food
- Topics: Shopping for groceries, Ordering food, Restaurants
- Grammar: Noun plurals, Modal verbs (können, möchten)
- Vocabulary: Food items, Clothing, Common phrases for shopping
Unit 4: At Home
- Topics: Describing your home, Furniture, Household chores
- Grammar: Definite and indefinite articles, Possessive adjectives
- Vocabulary: Rooms, Furniture, Household items
Level 2: Elementary (A2)
Unit 5: Health and Emergencies
- Topics: Visiting the doctor, Describing symptoms, Emergencies
- Grammar: Imperative mood, Reflexive verbs
- Vocabulary: Body parts, Illnesses, Medical terms
Unit 6: Travel and Transportation
- Topics: Booking tickets, Directions, Traveling by train
- Grammar: Prepositions of place, Simple past tense
- Vocabulary: Transportation, Travel phrases, Directions
Unit 7: Work and Daily Routine
- Topics: Jobs, Describing your workday, Office vocabulary
- Grammar: Separable verbs, Adverbs of frequency
- Vocabulary: Job titles, Office supplies, Daily activities
Unit 8: Leisure and Hobbies
- Topics: Talking about hobbies, Weekend activities, Sports
- Grammar: Future tense, Conjunctions
- Vocabulary: Hobbies, Sports, Leisure activities
Level 3: Intermediate (B1)
Unit 9: Media and Communication
- Topics: Television, Newspapers, Social media
- Grammar: Indirect speech, Relative clauses
- Vocabulary: Media terms, Communication phrases, Technology
Unit 10: Education and Learning
- Topics: School system, Learning methods, University life
- Grammar: Passive voice, Subordinate clauses
- Vocabulary: School subjects, Study techniques, Academic terms
Unit 11: Culture and Traditions
- Topics: German holidays, Traditions, Festivals
- Grammar: Comparative and superlative adjectives, Past perfect tense
- Vocabulary: Holiday names, Traditional foods, Festival activities
Unit 12: Environment and Nature
- Topics: Environmental issues, Nature, Conservation
- Grammar: Conditional sentences, Gerunds
- Vocabulary: Environmental terms, Animals, Plants
Level 4: Advanced (B2-C1)
Unit 13: Advanced Conversation and Debate
- Topics: Debating techniques, Current events, Opinion expression
- Grammar: Advanced conjunctions, Reported speech
- Vocabulary: Debate phrases, News vocabulary, Expressions of opinion
Unit 14: Literature and Arts
- Topics: German literature, Art history, Famous German artists
- Grammar: Literary tenses, Advanced verb forms
- Vocabulary: Literary terms, Art movements, Author names
Unit 15: Business German
- Topics: Business meetings, Professional communication, Writing emails
- Grammar: Formal language structures, Business terminology
- Vocabulary: Business phrases, Office jargon, Financial terms
Unit 16: Exam Preparation and Review
- Topics: Review of all topics, Practice exams, Speaking and writing practice
- Grammar: Comprehensive grammar review
- Vocabulary: Consolidation of vocabulary from previous units
Assessment
- Quizzes: Regular quizzes to test vocabulary and grammar.
- Assignments: Writing assignments, listening exercises, and speaking tasks.
- Exams: Mid-term and final exams including oral and written components.
- Participation: Class participation and attendance.
Additional Resources
- Language Exchange: Participate in language exchange programs or find a language partner.
- Cultural Immersion: Watch German movies, listen to German music, and attend German cultural events.
- Practice Apps: Use language learning apps like Duolingo and Babbel for additional practice.
