German Course

Contents overview:

Level 1: Beginner

At the most basic level, learners are introduced to personal pronouns like I, you, he, and she, and how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense. They learn how to ask simple questions using words like what, where, and how, and how to build straightforward present-tense statements. This level also covers definite and indefinite articles (like the and a), numbers, telling the time, and giving the date. Students learn how to form negatives using not and no, understand basic sentence structure (subject–verb–object), and begin using possessive words like my and your. Finally, they are introduced to separable verbs in the present tense—an important feature of German sentence structure.

Level 2: Elementary

At this stage, learners begin to tackle more complex grammar. They explore prepositions that change case (dative or accusative), start forming past tense sentences using haben and sein, and learn to use modal verbs like can, must, and may. They’re introduced to relative clauses in the nominative case, reflexive verbs, and how to compare things using adjectives in the comparative and superlative forms. Students also learn to build subordinate clauses with because and that, work with both separable and inseparable verbs, and ask questions using the past tense. Temporal prepositions like before, after, and since are also introduced.

Level 3: Intermediate

Here, learners start expressing politeness and hypothetical situations using the subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv II). They learn to form passive voice in both present and past tenses and begin working with verbs that require specific prepositions (like waiting for or happy about). Relative clauses become more complex, now including the accusative and dative cases. Students encounter conjunctions like although and nevertheless, practice reported speech in the present tense, and learn how to use separable verbs in the past. This level also introduces noun–verb combinations (common German expressions), useful phrases for giving opinions, and adjective declension with definite articles.

Level 4: Upper Intermediate

At this level, students work with more advanced grammar and text structures. They learn how to form the passive voice with modal verbs and use the subjunctive mood in conditional sentences (e.g., if I had more time...). Nominalization (turning verbs and adjectives into nouns) becomes a key focus. Learners practice reported speech in the past and expand their range of conjunctions with structures like both... and or neither... nor. Participles are used as adjectives, and there’s a deeper dive into verb valency (how verbs combine with other sentence elements). Idioms, fixed expressions, and more complex sentence order in subordinate clauses are introduced. Students begin writing different types of texts, such as arguments, reports, and personal opinions.

Level 5: Advanced

At this advanced level, the focus shifts toward professional and academic language use. Students learn to write in a more formal, abstract style, including the nominal style common in academic texts. They work with complex participle constructions and impersonal (subjectless) structures such as It is important to note that.... There’s a strong focus on how to link sentences and ideas using formal connectors like insofar as or whereas. Journalistic style reported speech using Konjunktiv I is introduced. Learners analyze rhetorical devices and stylistic choices, work with synonyms and register-appropriate vocabulary, and practice transforming texts between nominal and verbal styles. Argument structure becomes more sophisticated, especially in debates and essays.

Level 6: Proficient (Near-Native)

At the highest level, students master the subtle nuances of the German language. They become adept at switching between formal, informal, elevated, and colloquial registers. They explore the fine points of modal verbs in past tenses and the subjunctive, and they learn to understand and use irony, sarcasm, and implied meanings. Literary devices and rhetorical techniques in complex texts like feuilletons, opinion pieces, and essays are analyzed. Students engage in critical language reflection and are trained in creating textual coherence through stylistic means and references. Argument structures in specialized texts are reconstructed, and learners practice native-level error analysis. Translation exercises focus on idiomatic accuracy and stylistic precision.