Program

German Language Course

The four-week language course is designed for foreign students in all areas of study.  The goal of the course will be to focus on communication, especially in the areas of culture and academic study that apply to students in Germany.  In addition, the course will explore and examine social contexts with a look at everyday life and culture in Munich.

The course schedule for classes will be divised according to the different language levels of each group. Here we offer just an overview of the course program: schedule.

Beginner’s Course (A1 - A2)

For those students who have no or only a limited knowledge of German, as assessed by a placement test on the first day.

The beginner’s course will cover fundamental grammar and language communication, as well as current political, social, and cultural issues.  The course will also involve various group work and projects (for example, a class newspaper). Emphasis shall also be placed upon the strengthening and enrichment of their vocabulary base.

Intermediate/Advanced Course (B1 - C2)

It is expected that the course members should already have acquired a solid understanding of the grammar topics taught in the beginner’s course.  Students should also be able to understand challenging texts, such as newspaper articles, and should  not experience any difficulty in problems understanding everyday situations.

In this course we will concentrate on language, as it specifically pertains to academic study. Grammatical structures will be covered according to the neeeds of the course members.  The reading assignments will include challenging current political and literary texts.  In addition, we will cover other relevant texts (literature and history of Munich), that will be assigned, in part, through group work.  We will also aim to strengthen and enrich their knowledge of vocabulary.

Among other things, we will look at common situations which one could face while studying at a German university.  This could include topics that do not form part of 'everyday conversation'. 

The workload for the intermediate and advaned courses will depend upon involvement in independent study and group work.

For all courses

(beginner / intermediate / advanced)

Speaking, Reading, Listening, Writing

Through examining regional and cultural studies, intercultural communication, grammar, and vocabulary development, the course will aim to focus upon all of the 'four abilities'; speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Oral Expression

We place particular importance on the ability to communicate orally.  The course work will offer exercises to improve individual speaking ability and speaking confidence (for example, short, oral reports will be assigned).  In addition, we will cover many student-related conversation topics, including student slang and conversation in various contexts. These shall be practiced together so as to provide each student with practice in speaking.  We will also look at German expression and idiom so as to enhance the students’ ability to communicate effectively in an authentically German manner.

Reading

We will work on many texts in order to promote a solid basis in reading different types of literature.  With the help of reading techniques, students will learn how to overcome the hurdles that are often faced when reading in a foreign language.  The variety of texts will range from newspaper and magazine articles to literary and academic texts.

Listening

To develop listening skills, we will practice listening within a variety of authentic situations.  To aid the students’ abilitiy to understand everyday language, we will also discuss various listening strategies.

Writing

The ability to express oneself clearly in writing will also be developed in the course.  The course participants will be asked to write various texts and practice critical as well as creative writing through commentaries, satires, or letters.

Regional and intercultural studies

Part of learning a foreign language involves learning to understand a different culture.  This allows one to communicate with another culture more effectively.  Accordingly, the students will be exposed to and interact with different aspects of German culture.  Munich’s prime location in the heart of Bavaria will allow students to experience these qualities of German culture first-hand.

Grammar and vocabulary

The understanding of grammatical rules and structures will be reviewed and deepened according to the need and ability of the students.  This will be developed through placing many of the sources into their specific context.  Vocabulary understanding will also be reviewed and enhanced through learning the association of words with various themes.  In addition, helpful study strategies and techniques shall also be considered.

Selected assignments will be assigned to each group:

Newspaper project: This will be assembled through articles written by the students during the four-week course.

Museum project: In an independent excursion, the students will research a museum with the help of assigned worksheets.

Munich project: By selecting a topic of interest, such as literature, arts, history, architecture, technology or a visit at a museum, students will compile a report which will be presented during a walk through Munich or during a visit to a museum.

Movie project: Together, students will visit a current German movie in the theater and then research the director and background information to the film.