1. Structures:
Nouns: declension: weak, strong
Verbs: modal verbs: past tense
past tense (strong, weak, irregular)
future tense
subjunctive II
passive (present tense)
Sentences: word order: subordinate clauses
infinitive constructions: zu...
Other: reflexive pronouns
adjective endings
2. Language Functions
A. Giving and Seeking Information
1. Point out or identify persons, places and things. Seek identification of unfamiliar persons, places or things.
2. Make positive statements referring to past, present and future events and actions.
3. Ask questions and give explanations.
4. Deny or correct more complex propositions, answer questions negatively and make negative statements referring to past, present and future events or actions.
5. Request clarification.
B. Socialising
1. Greet people as appropriate at various times of day (incl. letters) and respond to greetings.
2. Take leave of people as appropriate at various times of day (incl. letters) and respond to farewells.
3. Describe people.
4. Introduce someone and respond appropriately when introduced.
5. Pay and receive compliments.
6. Apologize, congratulate and commiserate, and respond appropriately to apologies, congratulations, expressions of good wishes etc..
C. Getting things done
1. Attract attention.
2.Suggest a course of action.
3. Ask for something to be done, or request something.
4. Issue, accept or decline an offer or invitation and find out whether or not others accept an invitation.
5. Ask for help or offer help.
6. Express your own intentions and enquire about other people's intentions.
D. Stating what you think and what others think
1. Express agreement, disagreement, opinion, knowledge, ignorance, and find out about the opinions and knowledge of others.
2. Express and enquire about possibility, capability, certainty and necessity.
E. Stating and finding out feelings, emotions and intentions
1. Express want, desire and intention and find out about likes, dislikes, preferences or interest.
2. Express surprise, hope, disappointment, fear and worry and enquire about feelings of others.
3. Express want, desire and intention and find out about the wants, desires and intentions of others.
3. Cultural Content
Students will be introduced to all aspects of German culture (including the German speaking countries) relevant to the language functions studied, through authentic materials taken from the German speaking media, pictures and some background material in English. Wherever possible, a contrastive analysis between Germany and the home country will be encouraged.
The educational system: schools, professional training, universities
Social problems: graduate unemployment
The media (TV) and arts