Elementary German

Course Description: This course is intended to introduce students to the sounds, structure, and basic grammar of the German language. The aim of the course is for students to be able to communicate and comprehend basic information in both spoken and written German; however, the development of these skills requires a foundational understanding of the rules governing the language. This course asks students to complete a variety of exercises, short readings, and brief interactions both inside and outside the classroom to improve their ability and comfort level with German words, phrases, and sentences. The course grade is based primarily on in-class participation, weekly vocabulary and grammar homework, and brief quizzes and examinations.

Course Objectives: By the end of the course,

1. The student will be familiar with the basic sounds of the German language and the ways in which German words and sentences are pronounced.

2. The student will be able to identify and translate a list of fundamental vocabulary words that are necessary for gaining proficiency in the German language.

3. The student will be familiar with the grammatical structure of simple German phrases and sentences and be able to translate brief, straightforward passages from German into English.

4. The student will be able to communicate and comprehend basic information in both spoken and written German, as assessed through in-class discussions and course quizzes/examinations.

Prerequisites: None