The Beginning German sequence at Northwestern University offers
students a systematic introduction to basic German. The sequence
is taught using a communicative approach to language learning
that incorporates a variety of teaching techniques. Students
engage in daily activities that require listening, speaking,
reading and writing in German. These courses are taught in a
content-based and task-oriented fashion. In other words, specific
language forms are taught and learned in order to accomplish
a communicative purpose. The language of instruction is German.
The course also incorporates audio-visual resources that provide
cultural information about life in Germany today.
By the end of the fall quarter of this course, the goal is that
students will be able to provide basic descriptions, respond
to questions in a personal interview, describe their daily routine,
as well as list their personal likes and dislikes. A key feature
of the course during the winter quarter is the invitation of
a native speaker to class. The students interview the “Mystery Guest” and then write a short biographical
essay based on the information gathered during the visit. Each spring
quarter, students work collaboratively on the writing and memorizing
of a dialogue or skit in German. The students perform the skits in class
and are graded on the performance as a whole, their fluency and the accuracy
of the German. Each year the department as a whole sponsors a performance
of the best skits from the 101 and 102 levels in its annual ”Evening
O’Skits”.
Students beginning German at Northwestern.University will find a supportive classroom environment that encourages creativity and collaboration and at the same time lays the foundation for continued language development in German.
If you have questions about the first-year German sequence, contact the coordinator of first-year German, Denise Meuser (dmeuser@northwestern.edu).
