COURSE OBJECTIVES (GERMAN 10100-10200-10300)
Speaking. Able to carry on a simple, face-to-face conversation about everyday, familiar topics, to ask and answer questions and get enough information to function in German-speaking culture. Can get through “survival” situations. Can talk simply about events in the past. Speaks clearly and accurately enough to be understood by sympathetic listeners.
Writing. Able to write well enough to meet practical needs, such as messages, notes, letters, journal entries, and brief essays. Most accurate when dealing in the present tense and with topics which are personal and familiar. Accuracy will vary when allowed to use dictionaries, grammars, or other references.
Reading. Able to understand and use information in short German texts such as menus, ads, schedules or other realia. Can understand the gist and most details in such texts as letters, short newspaper articles, and short essays, when those texts deal with everyday, familiar topics. Able to guess the meanings of unknown words and expressions in context.
Listening. Able to understand most details when listening to brief conversations or exchanges, especially transactions. The level of comprehension is extremely dependent on the familiarity with the topic. Can guess some meanings of unknown words or expressions when time allows.
Culture. Become aware of the culture of the German-speaking countries. Gain not only knowledge of Germanic cultural elements and events, but learn how to think critically about your own culture and to interact with other diverse cultures you may encounter.