Learn German

General Information

Our German courses emphasize modern spoken German. From the first class meeting, students and instructors alike speak as much German as possible. Grammar is studied not as an exclusively abstract system, but as a reference base for active language use. The majority of classroom time is used speaking German, as opposed to talking about German in English. Culture is also an integral component of all our language courses and is presented through role play and activities while students are learning the language in communicative situations.

At Washington Academy of Languages we follow the natural sequence for acquiring a language: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Class time concentrates primarily on the first two elements. Videotapes are sometimes used in the classroom to enhance listening and speaking instruction. Reading and written homework are assigned on a regular basis and discussed and/or corrected in class. WAL students are usually able to communicate easily with native speakers at the level of grammar and vocabulary they have attained.

Textbooks for the first six levels of German: Di Donato, Robert, Monica Clyde and Jacqueline Vansant, Deutsch: Na Klar! 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 2003.

GER 1501 (German I)

30 hours of instruction/ 5 weeks

By the end of this intensive five-week session, participants will be able to function minimally in German. Material taught includes the German sound system and basic word order in statements and questions. Vocabulary includes common idiomatic expressions, regular verbs, and some irregular verbs in the present tense. Singular and plural nouns are introduced in the nominative and accusative cases. Several prepositions taking the accusative case are also introduced. Learning situations involve getting to know people, learning where they live, discussing their hobbies and interests, as well as describing personal characteristics. By the end of this level, students will be able to make formal and informal greetings and introductions, ask for and give information, use the phone, count, give the day, month or date, talk about family and friends, give descriptions of people, use common expression of feeling and make small talk. Cultural information is given about living and studying in Germany.

Chapters: Einführung, 1-3
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

GER 1502 (German II)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of German I or instructor's permission.

This course begins with a review of the essential structures presented in German I. It is a good place to start for a person who has been away from the language for awhile, but who already has some basics in grammar. Material covered in this level includes prepositions and verbs with the accusative and dative, pronouns in these cases, modals, and separable and irregular verbs in the present tense. Participants will learn to make requests and recommendations, and give instructions, advice or commands. By the end of this level, students will be able to talk about their favorite activities and daily routine. They will also be able to schedule appointments and extend invitations. In addition, they will learn about German foods and clothing and the stores in which you can buy them. German holidays will also be discussed.

Chapters: 4-5
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

GER 1503 (German III)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of German II or instructor's permission.

In this class, students learn the simple past of the verbs "to be," "to have" and the modal verbs, as well as the forms of the present perfect tense as they are used to talk about events in the past. They will learn to ask for and give directions to places in a city using two-way prepositions, and to form compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions. By the ends of this level, participants will be able to discuss different types of sports and leisure activities, to describe the weather and the seasons in various places, and to tell small anecdotes and short stories. They will also be able to identify various types of eating and drinking establishments found in German-speaking countries and to order food and drink from a menu in a German restaurant.

Chapters: 6-7
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

GER 1504 (German IV)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Completion of German III or instructor's permission

This course begins with a brief review of the material presented in previous levels and moves on to new structures, such as compound sentences using subordinating conjunctions, reflexive pronouns, the genitive case and attributive adjectives. Participants will learn to name parts of the human body and some common illnesses, and to describe how they feel when they are sick. They will be able to handle a visit to a doctor’s office and to discuss fitness and health. Students will also learn to describe types of lodging and to book a hotel room, as well as check in to and out of one. They will be able to comprehend more complex, authentic texts on various topics, including descriptions of cities and public places.

Chapters:8-9
This course may be taken for 4 quarter units of university credit.

GER 2501 (German V)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of German IV or instructor's permission.

This course covers the topics of traveling and the workplace, while more complex language structures such as relative clauses, the subjunctive and selected tenses (simple past, past perfect and future) are introduced. Students will learn about public transportation and how to ask for information. They will be able to book a vacation, buy a railway ticket and talk about travel plans. Participants will acquire business and work-related terminology, and learn the relevance of the German school system to the working world. They will read job ads and resumes, and ask questions about potential jobs and how to apply for them. By the end of this level, students will be able to express opinions, negotiate and suggest solutions, and handle discussions on personal matters and cultural subjects.

Chapters: 10-12

GER 2502 (German VI)

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of German V or instructor's permission.

This course emphasizes continued vocabulary development, fluency and more advanced oral constructions through intensive class discussions. Refined structures and idiomatic expressions are covered in the contexts of topics such as mass media, history, and environmental and generational issues. In addition, students will engage in creative writing and read more extensive materials to enhance their understanding of German culture and regional politics. By the end of the class, participants will have increased their oral fluency and listening comprehension to a comfortable level in both formal and informal situations.

Chapters: 13-14

German Cinema

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of German VI or instructor's permission.

Maintain and improve your German language fluency while nourishing your love of German cinema.  View and discuss films from the past and present.  Discuss classic German themes as well as cultural points.