An enrichment course, GER 141 is conducted almost entirely in German and is designed for students wishing to expand their active vocabulary and improve their facility in speaking and listening. Class discussions are based on assigned readings, student reports, and current events. This course is transferable but is not a substitute for a basic language requirement. It may be taken concurrently with German 132, 231 or 232.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
GER 141 is intended to strengthen students’ ability to communicate in colloquial and/or conversational German and to broaden students’ familiarity with the peoples and cultures of the German-speaking countries.
- Listening skills
- Speaking skills
- German dialects
- Vocabulary acquisition
- Geography of German-speaking countries
- German culture
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following in the target language:
- Demonstrate listening comprehension skills by answering questions and/or participating in interviews
- Pronounce words and phrases correctly
- Supply stock phrases for “small talk” (i.e. greetings, farewells, weather, time, and giving directions)
- Speak about self and family
- Demonstrate the difference between what is standard and what is dialect
- Show familiarity with different German dialects
- Demonstrate vocabulary skills appropriate to daily life situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of German-speaking countries
- Analyze cultural differences as manifested through language differences*
*Critical thinking objective
Note that a grade of C- is not transferrable and is not accepted by some programs at HFC
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment methods will be determined by each instructor, but the following assessments are recommended:
- Classroom attendance and participation
- Homework assignments
- Oral presentations
- Midterm/final exam
All sections of this level will use a textbook (and any accompanying materials) selected by the course coordinator and approved by the World Languages Committee.