Course I Language Course

Course I “Language course” offers language lessons at different levels (GER/CEF A1-C1/2). Additional language exercises and seminars on current literary and social topics as well as lectures on German language and German culture and civilisation are offered for all levels. Language lessons in the core class comprise 20 hours per week.

Absolute Beginner

GER/CEF A1.1

Language lessons for participants with no knowledge of German.

Class size is about 14 - 16.

Grundstufe (Elementary / Intermediate)

GER/CEF A1.1 to B1.2

Language lessons for participants with little to good knowledge of German.

Course participants study the fundamentals of German grammar, develop their comprehension skills for texts of low to medium difficulty, compose short texts and practice speaking about everyday topics.

Class size is about 14 - 16.

Course books

We recommend buying your books on site on your first day in class (books for purchasing are brought to the classroom). In order to use the interactive function of the textbooks, we strongly advise against using a smart phone (the screen is often too small). Instead, please bring a laptop or tablet.

Complementary Afternoon Classes

The final program will be presented to you before the Summer School begins. The seminars listed below illustrate some of the complementary classes typically offered for Course I, Elementary Level:

  • Pronunciation Practice
  • Preparatory Course for "Goethe-Zertifikat B1: Zertifikat Deutsch"
  • Creative Classrooms: Heidelberg’s Museums
  • How To Improve Your Listening Skills
  • Role Plays: survival Training for German Everyday Life
  • Grammar Review Crash Course

Mittelstufe (Upper Intermediate)

GER/CEF B1+, B2.1, B2.2

All classes are suited for participants with a sound knowledge of German.

This course focuses on: refreshing and expanding course participants' knowledge of German grammar; developing their comprehension of a variety of text types; and encouraging participants to develop their written and conversational skills on topical subjects.

Class size is about 14 - 16.

Course books

We recommend buying your books on site on your first day in class (books for purchasing are brought to the classroom). In order to use the interactive function of the textbooks, we strongly advise against using a smart phone (the screen is often too small). Instead, please bring a laptop or tablet.

Complementary Afternoon Classes

The final program will be presented to you before the Summer School begins. The seminars listed below illustrate some of the complementary classes typically offered for Course I, Intermediate Level:

  • Hot Off the Press: Germany’s Latest Literature
  • Contrastive Analysis: English - German
  • Contrastive Analysis: Chinese - German
  • Small Talk and Rules of Ettiquette: Even Chatting Needs Practice
  • Preparatory Course for "Goethe-Zertifikat B2" and "Goethe-Zertifikat C1" (formerly "ZMP")
    (Please note that the examinations for these certificates are not offered by the IFK)
  • Pronunciation Practice (Intermediate)
  • Preparatory Course for "Goethe-Zertifikat B1: Zertifikat Deutsch"
    (Please note that the examination for this certificate is not offered by the IFK)
  • Working With Texts: Comprehension Techniques and Vocabulary Expansion
  • Grammar Review Crash Course

Oberstufe (Advanced)

GER/CEF C1

All classes are suited for participants who are fluent or nearly fluent in German.

Course participants develop their capacity to analyze and discuss texts covering various aspects of German literature, culture and society. Writing texts and presenting papers will also be part of the course. Emphasis is on the improvement of style and idiom and not on grammar.

Class size is about 14 - 16.

Course books

Course material will be provided in class.

Complementary Afternoon Classes

The final program will be presented to you after your arrival in Heidelberg. The lectures and seminars listed below illustrate some of the complementary classes typically offered for Course I, Advanced Level:

  • Hot Off the Press: Germany’s Latest Literature
  • Tiny Words, Enormous Impact: Comparing Modal Particles Across Cultures
  • Advanced Pronunciation Practice: Phonetics and Phonology
  • The Image Of Germany As Portrayed in Film
  • Germany 1945-2017: How We Became Who We Are
  • The Changing Portrayal of Eros in Art and Literature

* GER/CEF: Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen/Common European Framework

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