Conversational German for Advanced Beginners

Saturdays 11:15-12:15 pm

Instructor: Vera Feinberg

Recommended materials:

A hardcopy (Harper Collins, Langenscheidt) or online (linguee.com, dict.cc, dict.leo.org) dictionary 

Course Objectives:

Conversational German for Advanced Beginners is intended for students with some prior knowledge of German. The course will focus on a variety of speaking activities of everyday life situations. The interactions are designed to further communicative skills and awareness of some cultural aspects of German and other German-speaking countries. After completing the course you should feel more comfortable to effectively communicate in different social and institutional settings in German.

Week 1

Social Interactions

Greetings, partings and conversational protocols

Levels of formality and directness

Talking about yourself, your hobbies, and expressing likes and dislikes

Offers and invitations

Week 2

Shopping

Asking for prices

Units of measurement, sizes, money

At the supermarket counter, bakery, coffee shop

Week 3

In the Restaurant

Making a reservation

Ordering a meal

Asking for special requests

Week 4

Using Public Transportation

At the ticket counter

Asking and following directions

Week 5

At the Doctors or Pharmacy

Explaining your symptoms

Asking/ calling for help

Week 6

Around Town

Asking for recommendations

Attending events: going to the theatre, movies, concerts

Leisure activities

Week 7

At the Bank, and other Official Institutions

Obtaining official documents

Bureaucratic matters

Week 8

TBA (Final topics open to student suggestions and interests)

Week 9

TBA (Final topics open to student suggestions and interests)