GERMAN 101

Course Description

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: Develops the four language skills and acquaints students with elements of German-speaking cultures. For students with no more than two years of German. Requires practice in the language laboratory. Prerequisites: none.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Students need to perform at the novice-mid level in German as described by the American Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages proficiency guidelines.

Specific Goals of German 101:

Speaking and Writing Ability

◊ handle selected rudimentary tasks and social situations requiring an exchange of basic information related to

        a. work,
        b. school,
        c. recreation,
        d. self, family, home,
        e. daily activities,
        f. interests and personal preferences,
        g. physical and social needs, such as food, shopping, travel and lodging;

◊ narrate and describe in familiar areas (personal information, common events) in the present tense;

◊ begin to use cohesive devices (conjunctions, etc.) in connected discourse of more than one sentence or phrase;

◊ respond to direct questions or requests for information and ask a variety of questions to obtain simple information to satisfy basic needs, such as directions, prices, and services;

◊ use elements and conversational input to make utterances of sentence length and some strings of sentences.

Reading and Listening Ability

◊ skim and scan for information from texts at the novice-mid level

◊ decifer survival texts, such as schedules and signs

◊ understand and participate in basic conversational exchanges related to the desired speaking ability

Methods

• With a recommended class size of twenty students or fewer, German 101 will develop German language skills through a variety of activities, including use of electronic and print media.
• Students are required to bring the print version of the textbook to every class session. Those who do not bring the materials will not be permitted to participate in class.
• Students must have the textbook out and ready by the start of every class session.
• Class sessions will be devoted to maximizing the amount of German spoken.
• Many assignments are due before covering the material in the class session. The textbook gives ample explanations. These assignments are preparation for class, rather than follow-ups.
• A good amount of paired and group work will take place during class in order to emphasize speaking.
• Written and recorded assignments must be submitted on BOLT; no assignments are accepted as email attachments.
• Some assignments may include collaborative activities outside regular class sessions.
• It will be assumed that all students in this course will study abroad soon, therefore the course is designed to help prepare students for experience of living and studying in Germany.

1. Study: Students are expected to study and learn the material, taking responsibility for their own learning. Attendance in class and completing assignments is not enough preparation to master the material. Students are expected to spend two hours outside of classtime to prepare for each class session (six hours per week).
2. Collaboration: Students work with another student in class and in small groups for both homework assignments and for in-class activities. Students may also grade each other on their performances.
3. Role Playing: Students will perform role-playing activities. Situations will relate to the topics at hand and will be both prepared and extemporaneous.
4. Presentations: Students may be required to make presentations in German. These could include forms such as simple oral reports, "show-and-tell," and power-point presentations.
5. Reading and Listening: Reading and video assignments will increase in length and complexity as the semester progresses.
6. Writing: Students will compose essays of slightly increasing length and complexity as the semester progresses. Unless otherwise instructed, essays will be submitted as MS-Word documents in the designated "assignment" folder on BOLT; no other format is acceptable. Essays may possibly receive a grade only after the second corrected draft.
7. Grammar: Lessons on linguistic structures will be integrated with the topics.
8. Social Application: Students may be required to meet with fellow students and possibly with German exchange students outside of class in order to prepare some assignments.
   The app CircleIn is highly recommended to enhance the social application:

   New Studying Resource: CircleIn Bloomsburg University has made CircleIn, an all-in-one studying app and website, available to all BU students. When students wish to talk to other students in class for clarifications, practice, or get help from others in class, this app is an ideal platform. By using CircleIn students can earn rewards and scholarships. Link to login instructions Link to CircleIn app.