We will use a communicative learning approach. As such, communication and interaction are key components for success. You can expect to interact often with your instructor or in a group. Since German will be the primary language used in the class, it is highly recommended that students study the material, memorize vocabulary, and complete homework assignments thoroughly before class meetings. During the course, we will work on multiple major skill areas for language learning such as listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Taking the time to complete the daily assignments is crucial for not only earning a good grade, but also learning the language and keeping up with the class. Do not worry! Mistakes are a part of the learning process.
Lessons will take on various formats such as short lectures to review grammar, group discussions, and small group/partner activities. Make sure to submit all assignments on the day and time as outlined on Canvas.
Active Participation / Aktive Teilnahme:
A major factor in the steady progress of acquiring proficiency in a foreign language is sustained practice. It is therefore imperative that you attend every class session and complete all reading and written assignments. Your participation in the class means that you arrive on time, are prepared for the day’s work, and contribute to a positive learning environment through your active participation.
Participation in this class means:
Active participation in group or partner work; effort to speak only German and to remain on task during group activities. Preparation for class including appropriate questions about the reading and possible pop quizzes.
Homework Assignments /Hausaufgaben:
The work you do outside of class becomes the basis for our in-class work and is therefore very important to the success of the course. In order to receive full credit, assignments must be done with care by the beginning of class on the day they are assigned. Please put your name and the date the assignment is due on each assignment. This includes any assignments turned in electronically (via Canvas). Not doing these things may result in a reduced grade on that assignment.
Recordings / Aufnahmen:
I will periodically ask you to record yourself speaking German and submit the recording to Canvas. You will receive a prompt (topic) and be asked to record yourself in brief segments (starting with 30 seconds to a minute and working our way up to longer recordings). These assignments will help you track your development as a speaker of German. The Canvas recording function is simple to use. For the sake of time, you will not need to engage in lengthy editing, we just want to create as much linguistic output as possible!
Writing Projects / Schreibprojekte:
In German 2020, I ask you to compose regular writing projects throughout the semester. Most of these written projects are meant to be informal and semi-private reflections on a topic that I assign. Canvas will detail specific dates for submitting these projects. More information about the Schreibprojekte is TBA.
Vocabulary and Grammar Quizzes:
To help you master the material we are covering in smaller segments, you will take regular quizzes that generally cover vocabulary from the reading texts and the grammatical topic we are currently reviewing. Quizzes will be graded on a percentage-of-points gained basis. We will study the vocabulary in Kontakte as well as new vocabulary necessary for discussing the text we read and view for class. For example, we will watch Christian Petzold’s 2012 film Barbara and learn vocabulary to assist us in discussing the film.
Chapter Tests & Final exam:
Tests will evaluate your control of the thematic and grammatical material. Tests may be missed only if cleared and re-scheduled with me ahead of time. Tests will be graded on a percentage-of-points gained basis. At the end of the semester, there will be a final exam during the time period assigned to our class in finals week.
Cultural Engagement Activities / Kultur:
You are asked to engage with the German language and/or culture outside of class to work on skills such as speaking, listening, writing, and reading. You could watch a German-language film or episodes of a German TV show, try out a German recipe, listen to music, read books/newspapers, and/or have a conversation with a native speaker. For your three required activities, you can do a combination of these options, or stick with just one of the options (ex: watch three different movies). Students need to submit an analysis in English (minimum of 300 words) of their experience for each engagement activity. Students need to complete two (2) activities in total. See Canvas for the Engagement Activity due dates. If you have questions about these projects, please feel free to contact me ahead of time. I’m happy to help!