German 1

This is an introductory subject for students with little or no knowledge of German. Its goal is to generate a firm grounding in the basics of German grammar and language structure in conjunction with the development of cultural literacy (including a sensitivity to the social contexts of communication). Students acquire a basic vocabulary, learn to discern and employ the structures, patterns and grammatical features of a foreign language, and develop the ability to engage with simple texts. Students reach a level of simple text production (eg. letters, emails, personal résumés or family backgrounds). Students will learn how to converse in a number of different informal communicative situations and begin to use language in limited formal settings. The study of key aspects of German, Austrian and Swiss culture is integrated into language acquisition through the engagement with a variety of authentic texts and media.

• 1Interpret and synthesise information from biographical and journalistic texts, popular media such as film and television and shorter literary texts
• 2Read and write personal narratives about events in the present and past with a high degree of accuracy
• 3Use an elementary vocabulary from a wider range of everyday communicative situations about the self, family, occupations and pastimes as well as use basic grammatical and syntactic forms of German including basic elements of the tense and case system
• 4Understand and use idiomatic and conversational forms appropriately in a range of informal and formal settings
• 5Demonstrate familiarity with German cultural traditions and practices, and appreciate regional diversity.