Part-time courses for adults

German for Beginners - Stage A

This course aims to provide you with a grounding in the basic grammatical structures of German in order to communicate at a basic level in essential social and survival situations in German-speaking countries.

Topics include:

• introducing yourself
• talking about yourself and your family
• daily routines
• at your home
• saying what you like and don’t like
• food and drink
• giving and understanding information
• asking for directions
• making travel enquiries.

We will also cover the following grammatical concepts:

• pronouns (including possessives)
• present tense and verb forms
• accusative
• dative
• introduction to adjective endings
• imperative
• introduction to perfect tense.

This course is for students who are absolute beginners of German, who wish to be able to hold basic conversation when travelling to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In terms of the Common European Framework of reference for Languages (Goethe-Zertifikat), it prepares candidates for A1.

Not sure which level is right for you?  Find your level.

Learning and teaching

The emphasis of the course is on participation and students are encouraged to actively participate in class through various non-threatening forms of activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and assessment

For us the most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning. Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved. Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The assessment of this course is divided into four parts to assess each of the following skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. It is designed to enhance what you have learnt during the course.

Additionally to the weekly sessions, we recommend that you spend time between the lessons, revising and practising what has been done in class.

Reading suggestions

Spektrum A1, Chapters 1-6

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.