FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
German Proficiency Guidelines for Major/Minor and Teacher Certification at Eastern Michigan University
| - | Fall Semester |
Winter Semester |
Study Abroad |
Goal of Proficiency Level |
Book(s) |
First Year |
Gern 121 |
Gern 122 |
- | - | Widmeier, Treffpunkt Deutsch |
- |
- | - | Novice High |
- | |
- |
- | - | Indep. Study cr. from Graz |
- | - |
Second Year |
Gern 221 |
Gern 222 |
- | - | Moeller et al. Kaleidoskop |
- |
Gern 233 |
Gern 234 |
Indep. Study cr. from Graz |
Intermediate Low to Mid |
Wells, Morewedge,Mitlesen-Mitteilen Vail: German in Review |
- |
- | Gern 261: Intro. to Professional Lang. |
- | - |
tba |
Third Year |
Gern 341 |
Gern 342 |
- | - | Varies |
- |
Gern 343 |
Gern 344 |
Indep. Study cr. from Graz |
Intermediate Mid to High |
Koepke, Die Deutschen Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Gr. |
- |
German 366 |
Gern 361 |
Semester in Karlsruhe, Reutlingen or Düsseldorf |
- | Conlin, Unternehmen Deutsch Tba for 366 |
Forth Year |
Gern 444 |
Gern 434 |
- | - | Motyl, Anders gedacht. Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Gr. |
- |
- | - | - | Intermediate High to Adv. Low |
- |
| - | Gern 446 |
Gern 447 |
Semester in Karlsruhe, Reutlingen or Düsseldorf |
Adv.-Low Oral |
Eisman, Wirtschafts kommunikation I and II |
| - | - | Gern 492 Senior Cap.-Seminar |
- | Advanced-low (speaking) |
tba |
General Questions
Why should every EMU student learn another language?
In today's global culture and economy, everybody should know another language and learn more World languages. Whatever your major field of study is, you greatly enhance not only your cognitive abilities and cultural competence, but you will also get an edge on the job market. Knowing other languages has aslo become an issue of national security.
Why studying German at Eastern Michigan University?
In Michigan there are over 200 German owned companies, many serving the automotive industry of which DaimlerChrysler is the leading German-American venture. The EU and the German speaking-countries are the main partners of a large number of Michigan companies. German is the most spoken language in Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and parts of Belgium, Luxemburg, and Northern Italy). EMU offers a unique program in German and International Trade where students major in German and minor in Business. EMU also offers an International Business Degree with a strong World language component. Special practical skills are learned in three semesters of Business German. Students have the opportunity to take the Goethe Institute International Business German Examination at EMU.
The German language is very important in science and most major US universities recommend at least a reading knowledge of German. If you study psychology or music, German should definitely be the language of your choice since major figures and leading theories and methods come from German-speaking countries. One out of every book is published in German. - All faculty and instructors at EMU are native or superior speakers of German and courses are taught in the target language. Teaching and assessment methods are based on national standards.
Eastern Michigan University is a leading university for teacher education and it offers an excellent German teacher (K-12) program.
How to satisfy General Education requirements with the study of German?
All students at EMU must take a set of General Education classes in four areas (I. Symbolics and Communication, II. Science and Technology, III. Social Science, and IV. Arts and Humanities). Beginning German 121 and German 122 (each 5 credits) and German 233 Intermediate German Conversation and German 234 Composition and Grammar will count as Gen. Ed. credits in area I. An intermediate or advanced German language literature course as well as German 221 and 222 (Intermediate German Reading) and German 341 and 342 (Survey of German Literature) will count for Gen.Ed. area IV. (See Undergrad. Catalog p. 22f.)
Can I study German as a beginner in college?
Since English is a Germanic language (same language family) many language patterns and the vocabulary are very similar in English and German. (Das Haus ist grün. Mein Name ist Peter.) You do not need to have any prior knowledge of German in order to successfully complete a German minor or mayor program.
Where do I begin?
If you have taken German in high school for longer than a year or have prior knowledge of German, you must take the placement test in 219 Alexander Music Bldg., the main office of the Department of World Languages at EMU. It's free and you do not need to make a reservation. Take the placement test before the semester starts and before you enroll in a class. Your score will give you the class number that you should be registered for. You can get an override from the instructor. Students, who have taken more than two or three years of German, generally place into second year college German classes (German 221 or German 222).
If you have never taken German, register for German 121. We offer two consecutive beginning German courses German 121 and German 122 during the day and in the evening. These two semesters are often considered the hardest because they are each 5 credit hours. All subsequent German courses are 3 credit hours. The first year of German does not count towards German minor and major credit requirements, but satisfy General Education credits of Area I and Area IV http://www.emich.edu/public/catalogs/current/acaf/ger/ger.html.
How can I transfer credits and get AP credits? (Advanced Placement)
See http://www.emich.edu/public/Worldlanguages/placementtests.htm
For Transfer and CLEP Test see Undergraduate Catalog p. 10
What are the teaching methods and how is language learning structured?
Our German language teaching methods are student-oriented and outcome based. The instructor uses the target language from the beginning and makes sure that there is a non-threatening, friendly atmosphere in the classroom where learning is achieved with a variety of activities and lots of group work and the use of technology. Oral and written communication is the key goal which includes listening skills and building an increasing knowledge of German grammar and phonetics. Individual work requires reading, writing exercises, and preparing for presentations and reports. Students learn how to analyze and interpret data, the culture and history of German-speaking countries and they will acquire valuable cross-cultural competencies.
People tend to learn World languages at different rates and in different ways and stages and it often is a tedious effort. The key to success is motivation and excellent and caring help from the instructor. The summer study abroad program offers the critical immersion experience that gives students confidence and skills to realize their goals and academic degree. Free tutoring is available at the Holman Learning Center and extra-curricular activities with the German Club enhance language learning with an extraordinary team spirit.
How is World language proficiency measured?
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) have developed national standards and ten proficiency levels of World language speaking (http://www.actfl.org/files/public/Guidelinesspeak.pdf), writing (http://www.actfl.org/files/public/writingguidelines.pdf) and World language learning (http://www.actfl.org/files/public/execsumm.pdf). Check German Proficiency Guidelines for Major/Minor and Teacher Certification (here follows the link to the page which I include as attachment)
These standards (3 defined levels in each of novice, intermediate, advanced proficiency) serve as objectives (=learning outcome) in all German classes and in the four modalities: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The language proficiency of students of German are assessed with standardized tests and oral proficiency interviews.
Are there immediate benefits for students of World language (FL) learning?
You can register as a World language learner at ACTFL and every time you are interviewed for a practice test by a Tester Trainee, you are paid $ 25. http://llr.actfltraining.org/
Can I do an Honors Project in German?
Yes, diligent and dedicated students of German can complete a German Honors Project in collaboration with a faculty member. See Undergrad. Catalog p. 27f.
What German Programs does EMU have?
The undergraduate German language programs are described in the Undergrad. Catalog starting p. 90.
German Language and Literature Major (GRLL)
German Language and Literature Major Secondary Teacher Certification (GRNT)
German Major in Language and International Trade (LGIT GERN)
German Language and Literature Minor (GRLL)
German Language Minor (GRL)
German Literature Minor (GRT)
German Business Minor (GRNB)
German Language Minor (GRLT) for Teacher Certification
The graduate German Language Programs are described in the Graduate Catalog starting p. 61f.
Master of Arts in German
Master of Arts in German and International Trade
^ Top