Auf Deutsch: Communicating in German Across Cultures

In this experimental language course we will use the German language to learn about each other and develop an understanding of different cultural values in both modern Germany and around the world. In the process of acquiring basic language skills in German, you will be using them to construct personal or virtual profiles within the context of your own culture and society. At the same time, you will compare your cultural attitudes and Weltanschauung with those represented through the lives of contemporary German personalities, actors, artists and politicians.

Designed for a multicultural and multilingual audience, this course takes a ground zero approach to your knowledge of German language, culture and society. However, this course will also offer opportunities for advanced students and native speakers to interact with each other and with course participants on topics related to e.g. hobbies, nutrition, professions and vacation. We will also be polling your attitudes towards issues in Germany related to the family, the environment and immigration.

Expressing ourselves in German within the context of our cultural differences is an important focus of this course. To accomplish, this we will provide you with numerous models of spoken and written language usage accompanied by exercises that will prepare you for creating your own personal texts. Throughout the course, you will receive both automated feedback during the online exercises and comments from the teaching team on the most frequent and reoccurring errors found in your essays and VoiceThreads. Moreover, we will give you links to online resources for extra grammar explanations and for practicing German pronunciation.

We hope this course will pique your interest in German language and culture and that you will continue to learn and use the language as a means to communicate with each other worldwide after the course ends.

The weekly schedule for this six week course comprises daily assignments that guide you towards an understanding of German language and culture and to expressing yourself within the context of topics such as:

• Familien und Beziehungen (Families and Relationships)

• Hobbys und Interessen (Hobbies and Interests)

• Ernährung und Wellness (Nutrition and Wellness)

• Reisen und Urlaub (Travel and Vacation)